JELLYSTONE Is an Excellent Update to the Hanna Barbera Legacy
By Movieguide® Contributor
JELLYSTONE is a 2021 ensemble comedy based on classic Hanna Barbera icons. Set in the residential town of Jellystone, Yogi Bear and his animal neighbors live together in 21st-century America. They struggle with their self-inflicted chaos while navigating the busy modern day lifestyle. This HBO Max original series was developed by C.H. Greenblatt, creator of Cartoon Network’s CHOWDER.
JELLYSTONE is a charming take on vintage Hanna Barbera characters. The situational and absurdist humor is on point. The clean art style and digital rig-based animation is commendable. The show might lack any relevant moral commentary. Yet, it crafts an enjoyable experience for both kids and adults alike. MOVIEGUIDE® recommends caution for older children.
The show is structured as a slice of life, episodic comedy. Each 11-minute segment focuses on a group of friends and their daily struggles. For example, Yogi Bear and his roommates work at the town hospital. As doctors, they slack on treating their animal and human patients alike. Moreover, they barely save the town from Earth shattering disasters.
Boo Boo once remarks, “I was sued for medical malpractice!” Yogi resolves the conflict and destroys half the town in the process.
In terms of worldview, JELLYSTONE offers minimal moralistic commentary. The characters get into slapstick fights, throw wacky insults, and destroy the town in the most preposterous ways. In some episodes, the cast learns to “be your own hero,” “liars never prosper,” or “never sell out your friends.” However, the show’s primary goal is to entertain rather than to educate. The citizens of Jellystone can be selfish and mischievous, but they always foster cooperation and never outright hatred. Because of its absurd nature, JELLYSTONE is rarely malevolent with its punching bags.
In terms of content warning, the show injects physical carnage and destruction. The castmates are chewed, smashed, and trampled upon, but survive with no injuries. The violence is cartoonish at best. Magic and crazy robot gadgets are sometimes used, but they are always executed in a “too ridiculous to be considered offensive” kind of way.
When adapting 1960s characters to the modern age, JELLYSTONE imprints several major updates. In the vintage cartoons, Yogi Bear and his animal neighbors are mischievous, homeless beings. In the show, they have jobs in the city. Huckleberry Hound operates as the city mayor, Snagglepuss is a PR manager, and Jabberjaw works as a clothing store cashier. With defined job roles, the comedy bounces between their big personalities and their domestic obstacles.
JELLYSTONE’s biggest strength is its tight writing. The humor is witty, fast paced, and delivered with good performances. The voice actors do a great job mimicking the original characters’ nuances, while also nailing the punchlines. On a technical level, the art direction is easy on the eyes. The animation is competent and the characters are more expressive than their 1960’s counterparts.
The show features an extended and diverse cast. The Banana Splits, Johnny Quest, and other obscure cartoon icons briefly cameo as well. The most subtle shift is the inclusion of more female cast members. Some vintage characters, like Jabberjaw and Augie Doggie, are depicted as girls. The female characters sometimes boast about “being successful women in the world” and cause a similar amount of chaos to the men. JELLYSTONE is not inherently feminist, but it does give equal treatment for slapstick mayhem.
JELLYSTONE’s most notable addition is its use of modern trends. The townsfolk use smartphones, engage with social media, and make references to Japanese animation. In one episode, the town gets compulsively obsessed with unboxing videos. In another episode, Yogi directs a tourism video for the town. He uses an “anime” filter over the lens, and then starts speaking in Japanese. The shoot turns into a Dragon Ball Z parody, and then it falls apart due to Yogi’s lack of filmmaking experience.
In conclusion, JELLYSTONE is an enjoyable ensemble comedy suitable for older children. It does not practice any explicit moral views, but it knows how to deliver kid-friendly themes. The art direction is stunning, the writing is tight, and the witty dialogue will make adults happy. The series is by no means “revolutionary.” But, it successfully updates its iconic characters for the 21st century.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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