Die Glücksbärchis

I didn't know "The Care Bears" only lasted three seasons. I used to watch it if it was on though I much preferred the Gummy Bears. "The Care Bears" could fix problems by joining together and casting rainbows from the hearts on their bellies. Perhaps that was just too sugary sweet for most folks (especially if you were used to the Looney Tunes). It wasn't bad to me, but I guess no one cared for the Care Bears.

Well, if you were like me in the 80s, you watched the Care Bears and it was your deepest, darkest, most private secret.

Because, yeah, you might have been 5, but the Care bears was totally made for kids and you weren't about to admit that you watched a kids cartoon.

So when the movie came out, no, you lived in a small town, someone you know would probably see you and ask what movie you were going to. It was best to wait until it came out on Beta and not be with mom when she went out to rent it.

Maybe, possibly, you were lucky enough to have a friend that admitted (in private and a great risk) that they liked the Care Bears, so finally you had someone to talk to about it.

Maybe. But in any case they were talking teddy bears, and that was totally kids stuff, so its best to wait until you are 40 to write a review about it when no one would care that you watched a kids cartoon, back in the 80s, when you were 5.

The Care Bears seem to mean different things to different people, some hate them with a passion that is almost holy while others, like myself can look back at them and see the warm fuzzy memories of childhood. There are doubtlessly other variations between those two extremes, those just happen to be the two examples I've run across.

I have always loved the Care Bears, like so many of the cartoons of the eighties, the combined good animation (well at least good for the day), that has held up relatively well over the years, with interesting storylines that don't feature the violence and sheer stupidity that so many 'kids shows' do today. Even when the 'new care bears' was released (and it wasn't quite as good) Care Bears continued to actually teach kids something about life through it's cute little half-hour episodes...can you really say that about Barney and Friends or Teletubbies? Please.

Some of the episodes are still out on video, do yourself a favour and pick one up...a walk down memory lane never really hurt anyone.

**** out of *****

4/5 9/10

They say that "The Care Bears" is aimed for little kids. But, if it is aimed for little kids, why did I like it? I'm a 11-year old and I known this show for within two years. And then I came up with a few thoughts such as "A great show, really funny and heartwarming, which gives a fantastic message for little kids". For me, a Tiny Pop fan myself, I was dazzled by how this show is presented, especially the plot, in the land of Care-a-lot a group of Care bears has funny adventures finding things out and having fun. But the evil Shrieky, Beastly and No-Heart will stop at nothing to get the Care Bears. Also, like I said, this show delivers a great message to young kids, that always be nice and respect your elders and always fight for what you believe in. It was a great inspiration to me too. The theme of the show is, of course, animation. And as well all know, this show was created in the late 80's and the animation is quite old and gloomy. Bit I'll let this one get away with it, because it was made over twenty years ago and I have to say, I quite liked the animation. Overall, it exceeds my expectations, a great education show for young kids and at the end of the show you always learn something.

CARE BEARS COUNTDOWN: 4 3 2 1! YIPPIE!! :)

I think the reason why I loved The Care Bears so much, was because it was part of my childhood, and I have a thing for nostalgia. I loved this show as a kid, and at 18 when I revisited it I was really surprised at how good it still was. It is pretty much childhood innocence personified.

The animation is clean and colourful, the music is really good with a simple and memorable theme tune and the story lines were gripping, exciting and surprisingly intelligent. Even the writing wasn't childish. And I love how unique the characters are, I love how all the Care Bears have interesting and endearing personalities and unique character traits. I love all of them so much I cannot decide which one is my favourite.

Out of the reoccurring villains, my personal favourite was Professor Coldheart, he was deliciously evil and frosty yet absolutely hilarious and crazy. The character was superbly voiced by Len Carlson, actually one of the most interesting voices on the show, it is a shame though he isn't credited on this site he deserves it. In fact though, the voice acting was very well done. Overall a great childhood favourite, not bland or anything like it, it is colourful and simple the way I like it. 10/10 Bethany Cox