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.
