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WARNER

MOVIE INFO

Director:
Bob Goe, Paul Sommer, Rudy Zamora
Cast:
Daws Butler, Don Messick, Susan Blu
Writing Credits:
Neal Barbera

Synopsis:
After they hear Jellystone Park might close, Yogi, Boo Boo and three orphan bear cubs flee so they will not be put a zoo.

MPAA:
Rated NR.

DISC DETAILS
Presentation:
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio:
English DTS-HD MA Monaural
Subtitles:
English
Closed-captioned
Supplements Subtitles:
None

Runtime: 93 min.
Price: $21.99
Release Date: 2/20/2024

Bonus:
• None


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RELATED REVIEWS


Yogi's Great Escape [Blu-Ray] (1987)

Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (February 29, 2024)

Over a span of 14 months from September 1987 to November 1988, Hanna-Barbera released 10 made-for-TV animated features that used some of their best-known characters. Entitled “Hanna-Barbera’s Superstars 10”, this franchise opened with Yogi’s Great Escape.

After they emerge from hibernation, Yogi Bear (voiced by Daws Butler) and his sidekick Boo-Boo (Don Messick) discover three orphaned cubs: Bopper (Frank Welker), Buzzy (Susan Blu), and Bitsy (Edan Gross). Though initially unsure of what to do, Yogi and Boo-Boo decide to take the younger critters into their care.

A challenge occurs when Yogi learns that budgetary issues might shut down their Jellystone Park. Afraid that this will send them to a zoo, Yogi leads Boo-Boo and the cubs to seek a new home, a task that leads them on a wild nationwide ride with Ranger Smith (Messick) in pursuit.

As I reflected in prior reviews, I can’t claim to ever have been especially wild about Yogi and his antics. In the world of Hanna-Barbera, I view The Flintstones as the top of the hill and everything else as spotty.

Nothing about Escape changes that perception. Indeed, the film seems flat even with my semi-low expectations for a Yogi project.

Given that Escape existed as the first of the 10 1987-88 Hanna-Barbera made-for-TV movies, one might think the studio pulled out all the stops to get the series off to a strong start. After all, it seems logical to assume that a weak initial flick might turn off potential viewers of the following projects.

Unfortunately, I get no sense at all that Hanna-Barbera exerted more than the most basic effort here. Escape offers a flat, dull story without much wit or panache.

Okay, I do acknowledge that Escape comes with better than anticipated animation. While not exactly reminiscent of peak Disney - or even average Disney – the film looks more elaborate than I figured I’d get from a made-for-TV piece.

Beyond this not-great-but-stronger-than-I-anticipated animation, I find little to endorse here. Escape offers a series of contrived scenarios and gags without obvious cleverness or zing.

Much of the time, Escape comes across like a series of loosely connected shorts. Yogi and company go through a mix of goofy and improbable adventures as they try to avoid Ranger Smith, and none of these seem especially lively or fun.

In an attempt to spice up matters, Escape brings in “guest stars” like Quick Draw McGraw, Wally Gator and Snagglepuss. They don’t add any life to the proceedings.

The basic premise of the three orphaned cubs seems unnecessary for the film’s overall plot, and Escape does little with that concept. The young bears annoy more than they entertain, and they add a slant toward cheap sentiment that robs the movie of any minor “edge” it might boast.

As a result, Escape lacks spark and feels much longer than it is. At one point, I took a peek at my player’s time display because I figured the movie must be close to its conclusion.

Nope – even though it felt like a good 80 minutes had passed, I was only 20 minutes into the story. When 20 minutes feels four times as long, that’s what I refer to as a “bad sign”.

Nothing about Escape makes it offensively, actively bad. Instead, it just seems dull and without anything to make it enjoyable or more than a slow, flat ride to nowhere.


The Disc Grades: Picture A-/ Audio C+/ Bonus F

Yogi’s Great Escape appears in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 on this Blu-ray Disc. The movie looked great.

Sharpness seemed solid the vast majority of the time. A couple slightly soft shots appeared – undoubtedly prompted by the inexpensive animation – but we usually found tight, precise material.

No issues with jagged edges or shimmering occurred, and I saw no edge haloes. Print flaws remained absent, and even the expected cell dust and whatnot created only minor concerns.

Colors favored a bright and natural palette. The hues seemed vivid and full.

Blacks looked dark and tight, while shadows felt smooth. I thought the film delivered terrific visuals.

Though not as impressive, the movie’s DTS-HD MA monaural audio seemed satisfactory enough. I didn’t expect much from the soundtrack given the project’s roots as a 37-year-old made-for-TV effort.

Speech could become a bit edgy at times, but the lines seemed reasonably natural. Music showed some roughness as well but the score and songs brought decent range.

Unsurprisingly, effects also showed occasional distortion but not to a problematic degree. This wound up as an acceptable mix for a product of this one’s age and budget.

No extras appear on the Blu-ray.

Even die-hard fans seem unlikely to take much pleasure from the sub-mediocre Yogi’s Great Escape. Although the film never turns into anything genuinely bad, it seems far too boring and devoid of inspiration to become an enjoyable effort. The Blu-ray delivers excellent visuals, acceptable audio and zero bonus materials. I hope the next Hanna-Barbera film on my plate tops this one.

Note that this Blu-ray of Yogi’s Great Escape can be purchased either on its own or as part of a 10-film “Hanna-Barbera’s Superstars 10” package. That set also includes Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers, The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones, Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose, Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats, The Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound, Rockin’ with Judy Jetson, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School, Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf and Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears.

Each one of these other nine also comes available solo. Because each one runs $21.99 MSRP, the $69.99 list price of “Superstars 10” makes it a bargain for fans who want to own four or more of the titles.

Viewer Film Ratings: 2 Stars Number of Votes: 1
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