Although still not Dic or Nelvana, The Unlock The Magic series is by far the best modern era Care Bears reimagining. Looking forward to many more cuddly, fuzzy, lovable 30 minutes specials, as they are being labeled. This is apparently the fourth one this year on 2024, with at least two more to follow in October and November, respectively. Not sure why these are all listed as separate specials rather than episodes in the existing Unlock The Magic Series. I guess because they are being released randomly one at a time? Makes it difficult to have them organized, anyhow. Useless complaint, I suppose. I doubt CloudCo is reading this.
Loving the Tenderheart Bear bobble head that has been featured in the Cloudseeker since the first season back in 2019. He seems to be in the Grand more often in these newer episodes though! The one sold @ Five Below here on earth vaguely resembles it, but the face is nowhere near as adorable.
Obviously playing on Star Wars, but I also felt the borrowed themes from 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as some Minions & bananas. I would totally buy some plush aliens for my collection.
The Care Bears definitely have more pronounced personality quirks here versus the original 1980s series. A good thing for the most part, with the exception of some exaggeration that pushes the boundaries of what the Care Bears represent and some cliche, predictable themes. Yes, the target audience is children, so the extremely simplistic portrayals of friends arguing and inexplicable making up might be excusable to some extent. Psychological depth isn't usually the main endeavor for children's programs, but it has been done before and CloudCo & Copernicus Studios could easily take this series to the next level by investing a little more in that.
Alrighty, no more soap box, because caring is sharing! If only real life was even one iota as magically fixable as it is for these cuddly Care Bears. Alas, wishful thinking.
