Care Bears Live-Action Movie Idea

 Nostalgia Critic slaughtered the Care Bears Movie (1985), where it had its flaws, Care Bears fans really feel it is the best of the trilogy of animated movies. Care Bears beat Black Cauldron in the Box Office and later An American Tail the following year. The basic premise is two orphaned kids befriend the Care Bears and a magician assistant is led by an evil book to make the Earth careless. On the journey, the Care Bears meet the Care Bear Cousins from the Forest of Feelings. While Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Garfield, and other 80's nostalgia already had live-action films with CGI characters. The songs are cringy,. So here is my idea for a live-action Care Bears film, it will be partially based on the original film. It wouldn't be a musical. 

I would keep the evil book, but give her a background story and motive. Nicholas is a magician assistant, who is forbidden to use the book his boss dug out of his dead teacher's belongings. The Boss finally got the book he wanted. The book is chaos itself, it doesn't have feelings, so it wants everyone to be the same. The book rejects the magician and wants Nicholas, it convinces him to use a spell against the magician. Tenderheart tries to stop Nicholas but gets locked up. The Care Bears are tasked to cheer up disenfranchised kids or kids who need to get in touch with their emotions.  Two siblings were recently abandoned by their mother and live in a foster home where they don't feel loved.  So the Care Bears befriend them. Two bears (don't have to be Friend Bear and Secret Bear like in the original) take them to the carnival where they meet Nicholas and become friends. Once the siblings leave, the book makes Nicholas change the bully kids into careless shells. It is more of a slow process of corruption. The siblings then free Tenderheart and he takes them to Care-A-Lot. When he escapes, he finds a mysterious key, which belongs to the book.

 Tenderheart gives Secret Bear the book key to keep. A storm torments Care-A-Lot because the book corrupts the kids. The siblings and the bear duo get swept away and end up in the Forest of Feelings. Grams tells them about a legend about other animals like the Care Bears being in a fabled forest. Tenderheart and three other bears use a transport device to track down the kids and they land on the other side of the forest of Feelings, where it's revealed it is an island. The two groups eventually meet up, not with Braveheart Lion showing the bears ancient etchings of the bears and cousins together, a "Prophecy of Caring." The bears do their Care Bear Stare on a minion of the book Spirit, which was sent to get the siblings. The Cousins feel left out and wish they could do a stare. The two groups go to Care-A-Lot for reinforcements. The Bears, cousins, and siblings have a plan and arrive at the carnival.

Nicholas is slowly corrupted by the book. The book makes Nicholas make a strong spell to destroy Care-A-Lot and corrupt the siblings, who are the last children who care in town apparently. The Book explains they must take over the town first, then the country, etc. The eldest sibling pretends to want to join Nicholas, for the Bears to take away the book. One of the cousins blows on the real book to close it and a Bear replaces the book with a copy. They escape with the real book. Nicholas then goes to use the fake book and realizes he has been duped. He turns around to find he is alone. Secret Bear takes out the key Tenderheart gave her and they try to lock up the book, but the book is too strong. The other corrupted kids come to stop the Bears. They return the book to Nicholas. The Bears use the Care Bear Stare to release the kids and they run away. The bears try using the stare on the book and fail. The cousins start roaring and calling, but it doesn't work. The siblings tell Nicholas they care for him and hug him. He remembers how they were kind to him before he was corrupted. He and the bears close up the book and try using the key again. The book struggles and blasts the bears unconscious. The cousins try the "Call" again and the Belly Badges appear and their Care Bear Cousin Call blasts the book. They lock the book and destroy it with the Stare and Call combination. Nicholas frees his magician boss and he makes him a partner. 

No wrap-around story of orphans like in the original and no songs. I thought of tying some plot holes like why was there a river of water in Care-A-Lot and making it clear the Care Bears are in the clouds and the Forest of Feelings on some magical island in a dimension on Earth. Plus, have Grams mention a legend of the cousins and the cousins having a prophecy etching of the two groups. The book needs a motive and backstory, having the magician connected to it would explain more.  Also, the orphanage frame device was narmy, also unclear if Nicholas' wife was Kim and they didn't say what happened to Jason.  I would also want to have elements of the kids and adults being confused as to why there are colorful bears in the first place, not make fun of it, but at least show some unusualness about the whole thing. I don't like it when the MCU makes fun of the comic book names but I do like it when movies call out things at first. 

Care Bear Cousins through the years

While the Care Bears started in 1982, the Care Bear Cousins were introduced in 1985. Meaning their 30th anniversary was last year. The cousins went from 9 originally introduced in toys and the Dic series to 10 in the Nelvana series (Noble Heart Horse added) to 9 for the 2004 revival toys (Treat Heart Pig omitted) and to now 4 for the Netflix series.

The Hub had a show called "Welcome to Care-A-Lot," sequel series has now showed up on  Netflix called Care Bears & Cousins with four of the Care Bear Cousins.

The four cousins are Brave Heart Lion, Bright Heart Raccoon, Lotsa Heart Elephant and Cozy Heart Penguin.

Proud Heart Cat

Originally a peach color, he was given a turquoise color in 2004 for the revival in merchandise and toy. He was a baby in the Care Bears II: New Generation. He doesn't get much attention. He was made female in 2004. Left to right; 1985 promotional art, Dic cartoon and Nelvana cartoon. Her symbol is a heart in a star.

Loyal Heart Dog

A blue dog. Left to Right: 1985 promo art, Dic, Nelvana and 2004 toy. The 2005 toy he got a heart-shaped patch over his eye. His symbol is a bar holding a heart.

 Gentle Heart Lamb

A female light green lamb. She is shy and sweet. Left to Right: 1985 Promo image, Dic, Nelvana and 2004 toy. Her symbol is a pin-cushion heart.

Playful Heart Monkey

Male yellow-orange monkey. He is the jokester of the group. Left to Right: 1985 promo image, Dic, Nelvana and 2004 toy. His symbol was a heart with a party hat on it with a birthday horn. For the revival, the horn was removed and the party hat went on top of the heart.

Swift Heart Rabbit

Female light blue fur rabbit. She is super fast and is overconfident. In 2004, the wings went from in front of the heart and to the bottom to being behind the heart on the top. In the Dic cartoon, she was referred to as a 'he' even though in the Nelvana cartoons she was a she. Left to Right: 1985 promo image, Dic, Nelvana, 2004 toy

Treat Heart Pig

Yellow female pig with a ice cream cone symbol. She was not included in the 2nd Care Bears movie and was not included in neither the 2004 nor the 2016 revival. In the 1985 promo info, she was referred to as a he. 

Left to Right: 1985 promo pic, Dic and Nelvana

 Noble Heart Horse

He was introduced as the dad-figure in Care Bears II: A New Generation. His fur is purple but the toy was multi-pastel color. He did have a 2004 revival toy even though wikipedia pages say no. In a comic book he appeared to be on all fours and Proud Heart Bear rode her. His symbol is  a heart with a star on it.

 Cozy Heart Penguin

Left to Right: 1985 art, Dic, Nelvana, 2004 revival and 2016 series. She is a lilac color, she is sweet. Her 2016 revival is the shortest and trills instead of speaking. Her symbol is a heart with a hat on it. 

Bright Heart Raccoon

 Left to right: 1985 promo art, dic, nelvana, 2004 promo art and 2016 series. His symbol was a heart like a lightbulb and for the 2004 revival, it became light sparks around the heart to back to the original symbol for 2016. He is the smart one. 

Lotsa Heart Elepehant

He was a strong and caring pink bear. For the 2016 revival, he was changed to female. Left to Right: 1985 promo art, Dic, Nelvana, 2004 toy and 2016 series. Symbol is a weight with hearts on it. 

 Brave Heart Lion

The de-facto leader/male brown-orange lion. Left to Right: 1985 promo art, Dic, Nelvana, 2004 revival and 2016 series. The symbol is basically a crown on a heart but changed. He is the only one that his symbol has changed the most out of the four chosen for the revival. Originally the crown was to the left and had pink on top. In the revival it was purple and to the right. For 2016, stayed to the right without a cushion.

If this series succeeds, I would love to see them all back. I am guessing the Lamb, Monkey and Rabbit are most likely to be revived.

Pop culture Uncles and Nephews

I have been an uncle since I was 5 and became a Great Uncle four years ago (I'm 31, my sister is 48 and a grandma). I am fascinated by uncles and nephews in the media, as many don't mention the mother or father of the nephew.

 Kermit and Robin

 Robin first appeared in Frog Prince in 1971 television special. Although Robin made a few appearances on The Muppet Show's first season, his relationship to Kermit was not established until Season 2. He was voiced by Jerry Nelson. He is now voiced by Matt Vogel. They were then translated into Muppet Babies, Robin was a tadpole.

 Scooby-Doo and Scrappy

Scooby-Doo was part of a ghost detective group of teenagers and he loved eating. Later on in the first series, his nephew was introduced. Scrappy was not a popular character but he was Scooby's nephew. Scrappy turned up in the live-action film as a villain.

Donald Duck and his nephews

Huey, Dewey and Louie were created by Ted Osborne and Al Taliaferro, and first appeared in a newspaper comic strip on October 17, 1937. They are identical triplets, they have also been given to Uncle Scrooge on DuckTales.

 Mickey Mouse and his nephews

His nephews aren't very well known but appear in a lot of merchandise and a few cartoons. Morty and Fredie Fieldmouse are their names. They started in Mickey's Nephews (published in 1932).

 Popeye and his nephews

Popeye's nephews Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye and Poopeye first starred in "Me Musical Nephews.” They are not as better known as other nephews in popular media.

 _______________________
Here are some Uncle and Nieces or Aunts and Nieces

 Inspector Gadget and Penny

Penny was the brains of the operation.

 

Minnie Mouse and her nieces

In the short Bowtoons, Minnie has twin nieces Millie and Melody.

  

Tenderheart and Wonderheart

In the current CGI series "Welcome to Care-A-Lot," the main bear Tenderheart now has a little niece known as Wonderheart.

Miss Piggy, Andy and Randy

Her nephews became more known in Muppets Tonight.

Care Bears through 30 years

I am turning 30 and so are the Care Bears! Seeing which Bears have lasted through the years and how they have changed through the years. I am not counting one shot bears (Like Oopsy, the Pandas, the Cousins, Me, Messy, Too Loud, Sweet Dreams, Superstar, Shine Bright, Daydream, Play-A-Lot, Heartsong and etc.). 

Tenderheart Bear

The lead bear, his personality has mostly been kept in tact. He is the stalwart leader, he keeps his head on his shoulders and helps kids when they are down. Above Left: 80's Greeting Cards and Promotional Artwork (painted by artist Elena Kucharik), Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. He was originally brown but became more of an orange in the 2000's and now in the new series, he is back to brown.

Grumpy Bear

He has definitely been the most popular and has stayed the same. He along with Funshine, Good Luck, Bedtime, Cheer, Birthday, Love-A-Lot and Tenderheart have maintain the same tummy symbols. Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot and computer animated Adventures in Care-A-Lot movie; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot.

 Cheer Bear

 She has remained a she and has kept her rainbow belly symbol for years. She is ever so cheerful.

Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot.  In promotional and the first CG movie, she has a more orange-y shade. In the cartoons of traditional animation, she is a lighter shade. And in the new series, she is a bit darker.

Share Bear

In the beginning, she had a milkshake to share but the creators felt it would promote germs in the 2000's so they changed it to Lolipops which she has kept. Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot and computer animated Adventures in Care-A-Lot movie (Share Bear Shines); Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. She had a dark more redish tint in the first CG movie, because her toy did. She has a lighter shade in the new CG series.

Funshine Bear

Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: DiC 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot and computer animated Adventures in Care-A-Lot movie; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. She went from female to male. In the original cartoon, she was female and then became male in the Nervana CG movies. He was also in the 'Adventures in Care-A-Lot' stylized cartoon, where he was sporty. And he is male in the new CG series. In the first CG movie, he was a joker.

Harmony Bear

Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon (as a baby in the sequel film), Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot and computer animated Adventures in Care-A-Lot movie; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. Harmony had a big heart and two little hearts on it. She got a new symbol with a flower and smile in the 2000's which to me didn't make sense. Her purple was always darker, more blue-ish than Share Bear. In the original cartoon, she was quiet and sweet. In AC, she was active and in the new one, she sings.

Wish Bear

One of my favorite bears, she hasn't gotten a lot of attention lately. She was a minor character in AC and is a background character in the new series. She had her own movie thanks to Nelvana in CG form (Care Bears: Big Wish Movie). Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Meet-and-Greet Costume, Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot.

 Good Luck Bear

 Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. A minor character in all incarnations but a fan favorite.

Bedtime Bear

He was about a darker shade that Grumpy but now a lighter shade than him.  Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: 'Welcome to Care-A-Lot' new series, In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot;Right: CG Adventures in Care-A-Lot. He had been more of a comical character, waking up at times.

Birthday Bear

He had a golden-yellow fur which has gotten lighter in time. Top Left: 80's promotional, Top Right: Nelvana cartoon, Bottom Left: Promotional 2000's and Bottom Right: new series 'Welcome to Care-A-Lot.' I am not sure if Birthday Bear appeared in 'Adventures in Care-A-Lot' nor in the two Nelvana CG movies.

Champ Bear

He is said to be in the new series but I haven't seen him. He turned blue in the 2000's, he was originally an golden yellow, a bit darker than Birthday bear.  Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Right: Adventures in Care-A-Lot CG movie. In Care Bear Family cartoon, he had a big role but has become a minor character.

Secret Bear

Another of my favorites. She went from orange to magenta. Left: 80's promotional, Nelvana cartoon, 2000's promotional and Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. I am not sure if she appeared in the Nelvana CG movies nor Adventures in Care-A-Lot series or movies. They made more room for newer characters. In the 80's cartoons, Secret Bear was best friend to Friendship Bear who would speak for her since she only spoke in whispers.

Love A Lot Bear
Above Left: 80's Promotional Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana 80's cartoon, Right: late 2000's promotional, Bottom Left: In two Nelvana computer animated movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Right: Welcome to Care-A-Lot. She has always been a redish-pink with the same Belly Badge/Tummy Symbol.

Friend Bear

Secret Bear's friend hasn't been used much. She did appear in Adventures in Care-A-Lot. She has always been peach. Top Left: 80's artwork, Top Center: Nelvana cartoon, Top Right: 2000's artwork, Bottom Left: CG Nelvana movies, Center: Adventures in Care-A-Lot, Right: DiC specials. That I know of, she hasn't appeared in the new series.

Baby Hugs and Tugs
Top Left: Promotional 80's, Top Right: Nelvana cartoon, Bottom Left: Promotional 2000's, Bottom Right: Adventures in Care-A-Lot; Baby sister and brother twins appeared in the Nelvana cartoon and in the Adventures in Care-A-Lot cartoon. They were replaced in Welcome to Care-A-Lot by Wonderheart Bear. Hugs is the Blue boy and Tugs is the Pink Girl.

Trueheart Bear
True Heart Bear is the co-founder of the Kingdom of Caring in the second movie Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation. Her fur color is multi-pastel coloured (in the original artwork and as a plush toy). For Care Bears: Oopsy Does It! and Care Bears: Adventures in Care-a-Lot, she was redesigned. She now has pastel pink colored fur and is portrayed as the same age and size as the other bears, and is cast as the reporter for Care-a-Lot's newspaper. Top Left: 80's Artwork, Top Center: Nelvana Cartoon, Top Right: Adventures in Care-A-Lot CG Movies, Bottom Left: 2004 artwork and Bottom Right: Adventures in Care-A-Lot.


2004 and Up Bears
These are bears that were added in 2004 and might not be recognized by older fans. I know I don't recognize some. Unlike My Little Pony, that they lost copyright to their character names that they had to make new ones.

Surprise Bear
As a plush toy, Surprise Bear was originally a UK exclusive (she was light blue and had a smiling circle instead of a star) in the late 80's. She appears in the live-action "Hide-&-Seek Care Bears" commercial as an animated character between the two kids. She also made her movie debut in Care Bears: Oopsy Does It!  In "Adventures in Care-a-Lot", she pops up almost anywhere, shouting "Surprise!" which is her catchphrase for surprising someone. She has also had a cameo in Welcome to Care-A-Lot.

Amigo Bear
I don't know if racist is the right word but I just don't like Amigo Bear. My parents are from Guatemala, I was born in the US and I speak Spanish. Amigo Bear speaks Spanish but his name basically means 'Friend,' there is already a Friend Bear. Same goes for Best Friend Bear. Same stuff. And his symbol is a 'festive' Aztec Sun, which is a bit stereotypical and presumptuous. It is the first Bear I see that they try making 'ethnic' other than America Cares Bear (2003) and Proud Heart Bear (1991) that were patriotic bears. He made his premiere in "Oopsy Does It!" as well. It isn't known if he has popped up in Welcome to Care-A-Lot.

Best Friend Bear 
She shows the importance of the special bond between two best friends and how there is a best friend for everyone. She is violet and her tummy symbol is a smiling heart and a smiling star linked by a rainbow Like Amigo and Surprise, she made her movie debut in Care Bears: Oopsy Does It! In "Adventures in Care-a-Lot", she is the clerk of the grocery store. She appears as a background character in Welcome to Care-A-Lot.

Laugh-A-Lot Bear
Like Love-A-Lot, Laugh-a-Lot Bear has a similar name--inspired by Lancelot. She turns her worst mistakes into the best jokes and her contagious laughter can even make Grumpy Bear laugh. Unlike Best Friend, Amigo and Surprise, she made her movie debut in Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot and made cameo appearances in The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie. In "Adventures in Care-a-Lot", her hair is tied up and purple and pink hearts were added to her symbol. She has cameos in "Welcome to Care-A-Lot."

Thanks-A-Lot Bear
Thanks-a-Lot Bear (2004) helps teach the importance of politeness along with the "magic words", which everyone knows as Please & Thank You!Thanks-a-Lot makes an appearance with Secret Bear in episode 3 of Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot. She reminds me of Wish Bear. Not sure if she appeared in the Nirvana CG films or the Adventures in Care-A-Lot.

Care Bears: Adventures in Care-A-Lot Colors

For those who don't follow Care Bears, they recently re-designed them (once again) in 2007 and with a new TV series called Care Bears: Adventures in Care-A-Lot. I love the Care Bears and always been fascinated by the colors. I am not so crazy about the new bears they have added because it is like redundancy. There is Friend Bear, Best Friend Bear and Amigo Bear! Anyhoo, I have noticed with new bears, they can't decide on the color!

Best Friend Bear looks Magenta on her beanie toy tag but on the show she is like an Orchid-color.

Amigo Bear is like a dark orange on his tag and toy but on the show, he is more like a light peach/orange. I know the tag is a bit dark because of the photo but I've seen it, his fur is darker in tone.

Now Bears we have grown to love:

True Heart Bear, not an original bear but was part of the 80's brood, she was their mentor, but in this she is a regular bear. She was an egg color and now she is light pink, though on the show she much lighter.

Love-A-Lot Bear is the biggest variant of color from the merchandise to show. She has always been a darker pink than Cheer Bear or a light red--however you look at it, since Pink is considered a light red. But on the toy tag, she certainly is lighter than on the show. She is considered a red/pink.

Bedtime Bear as I remember him as a baby blue color and is so on the toy and tag but I dunno if it is the caption above but it looks like he is an aqua.

Wish Bear has remained the same color (bright Torqouise-ish green) since the 80's but I am not sure if it is the pictures above because I have not seen her tag in person but she look more green-ish than aqua on the tag.

I love different shades of pink and purple! This is not fair to color blind people, but just take my word for it.

Above from left to right: Harmony Bear, Best Friend Bear, Harmony Bear, and Surprise Bear.
Okay, Harmony is Lavender, Best Friend is orchid (light magenta-violet?), Harmony is purple (or violet?), and Surprise Bear is a deep dark purple. Or I can just be wrong for the name of the colors but I love the shades!

If anything, they kept the colors they established with the re-vamp in the 2000's, Champ Bear was orange-y back in the 80's, now he is blue. But I don't even know how to describe his color. A turquoise-y deep blue? A dark sea blue? He is a different shade than Bedtime, Grumpy and Tugs Bear.