Customer Reviews

Care Bears Journey to Joke-A-Lot

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is the soundtrack for he Care Bears CGI movie --- "Journey to Joke-a-Lot." I never really had any fond memories of the Care Bears, but after seeing the recent revival, I decided to check out the DVD of the new movie to see if things had improved any in my opinion. I was impressed all around by the quality of the story, the voice-acting, the animation and the music, which was what led me to this CD.

This CD contains five songs from the movie itself and eight others inspired from the movie. (The official description says that there are only two songs that weren't in the movie, but this definitely isn't right in my memory, nor according to the liner notes.) This CD is amazing in that there isn't a single bad track on it. The songs are all memorable, fun to listen to and in no way annoying or grating. It really is as close to perfect as it can be. I'll give a quick review of each of the tracks, although if you're not interested in reading a track-by-track review, then just head down to the bottom of the review for a small bit of additional information:


1. In the Land of Joke-A-Lot --- a.k.a. the "Joke-a-Lot National Anthem." It's a wacky, whimsical tune from the movie --- "It's the funniest little spot / We laugh the whole day through --- As long as the joke's on you!" A great piece to start out the album.

2. I Like My Friends A Lot --- not from the movie. A somewhat zany, cute song with some funny sound effects too.

3. Make 'Em Laugh --- The first of two performances by Julie Lemieux, the speaking and singing voice of Funshine Bear. Funshine explains in song how he doesn't mean to hurt anyone with his jokes --- he just wants to make 'em laugh. "Put a pail on your head / Wear a big orange shirt / Do the hula dance in a long grass skirt."

4. Joke-A-Lot Tour (Instrumental) --- The only purely instrumental piece on the album. Can't really say much about it, but definitely fun to listen to.

5. Here I'm a King --- The second-best song on the CD! Julie Lemieux gives another great performance as Funshine Bear --- expressing his confusion as to whether he'd be better off as a king in Joke-a-Lot, or back with all his friends in Care-a-Lot. Joke-a-Lot is great fun, but he knows there's a lot of things he'd miss about his friends.

6. When I Get Home --- A soulful tune about a person away from their home --- expressing their dreams of returning and their hopes for when they return.

7. Everyone Loves the Care Bears --- A sort of Care Bears anthem, basically glorifying the Care Bears. Seems like it would be sappy, cheesy and shouldn't work, but it does, completely. Cheerful, upbeat singing and catchy melody. "Looking for excitement? Champ Bear makes the play. And Wish Bear makes another dream come true."

8. You and Me --- Another of several songs on the album about friendship. While they all explore a similar them, each one is unique.

9. Me and My Amigo --- Hey, and look, it's another friendship song! Don't get tricked by the title --- amigo is the only Spanish world you'll find in this song. It's still a nice song though, one of the more fast-paced and upbeat ones.

10. Seriously --- Ah, now here's an interesting one. This reinforces one of the themes of the movie --- that sometimes "it's not all fun and games. / So know the difference, realize, you have to be serious sometimes." This song successfully combines a rap refrain with a female vocal more in tune with the other styles on the CD.

11. Show That You Care --- Not one of my favorite tracks on the CD, but pretty calming and soothing to listen to. Best part is the chorus, at first performed by a solo female artist and then with some kids added in.

12. We Love to Laugh --- Wacky theme that seems to be expressing the opposite idea of "Seriously." The people singing this song "love to laugh / laugh themselves silly / tee hee, ha , ha / tickles your belly."

13. With All Your Heart --- It's the first song played in the movie, but the last one on the CD. Perhaps they decided to save the best for last because I certainly think it's the best. Marvelous performance by Jane Siberry and great musical accompaniment too. "Sing a song of laughter / Sing a song joy / Sing a song for every girl and boy."


In addition to the great music, this CD also comes with a few bonuses. There's a Funshine Bear sticker and the CD is an enhanced CD, meaning that you pop it into your computer's CD-ROM drive for bonus features. These include a trailer for the movie (if you haven't already seen it) and a few Care Bears wallpapers, which you can either let the provided program install, or do it yourself if you're familiar with how to navigate the CD.

This is a terrific compliment to the movie. Both the movie and CD are great. I highly recommend them.

Loved the movie and love the soundtrack. My 3 year old daughter loved the songs most when she watched this movie. She now sings in the car loudly to all the songs that she has learned to love. The first 5 are from the movie, but you learn to like all the new ones too.

You may have never watched a Care Bears episode as a kid, and back in the 80's Care Bears were a bit of a joke to me. On the eve of my 40th birthday with kids of my own (2 and 3) I found myself becoming a bit nostalgic.

We picked up the video and if I am honest I bought the soundtrack as much as for my kids as for myself.

The production quality is outstanding and several of these songs could be pop hits on their own.

The Joke A Lot Anthem is a great tune. Bouncy, happy and makes you want to tap your feet and sing along. My daughter and I love to dance to this one.

Track 5: Here I'm a king. Although I would never admit it publicly, this one makes me mist up a bit as Funshine Bear sings about making the choice to go back to his old life or stay in Joke A Lot.

That's the key to good music it makes you feel something.

This CD will make you laugh, joke, and maybe even... cry.

Cheers!

My six year old daughter loves this. It's so cheerful!

My daughter loves this movie! This movie is great for those kids and young of heart that love the Care Bears. Twinkers is a little (okay a lot) obnoxious but outside of that, its a fun movie.

My 4yo daughter loves the Journey to Joke-a-lot movie and was always singing the songs from the movie so we decided to get her the soundtrack for Christmas. She loves it! And it's music that I can tolerate and even like! This is one of the few children's CD's that I could listen to all day.