Stripped of the relativity dark plots that made the series and films if not respectable then at least bearable (no pun intended); Journey to Joke-a-Lot becomes a pale imitation of its predecessors and a dull piece in itself. Saying that, it’s not entirely wretched and un-watchable, just rather dumb and lacking any kind of polish.

The original care bear movies, taken into account their supposed target audience, were somewhat darker than one might be expected to give them credit for and were watch-able because of that. This film is just a bit too cheerful for my liking and because of this there is never any really convincing conflict.

Some parts, most notably the rollercoaster styled ride into Joke-a-Lot run on for far too long and become boring as a result. The so-called 'revelation' of the character Gig can be seen a mile away and the villain is weak in both his schemes and the way he goes about them. To top the problems, the one constant that you expect to appear at some point throughout a Care Bear movie: 'The Care Bear Stare' is notable only due to its absence.

If this is the reinvention of the bears for today’s world, then it is a weak one, it lacks anything that could give it a contemporary edge. True it may still appeal to the very, very young, but so will many more deserving things.