As an animated movie, Hanna Barbera could have done much better. “Yogi’s First Christmas” isn’t the worst animated movie I’ve ever seen but in terms of quality, it all feels like such a rushed product that was pushed in to production in time for Christmas. The line work is shaky, the coloring is bland, the character models are fuzzy and there are even a few errors that will give the keen observer a hard time.
Take for example when Huckleberry Hound goes to wake a slumbering Yogi up and his ears mysteriously change colors in one frame from Black to Blue and right back to Black. It’s the type of error that make you question what the creators had in mind when doling out this holiday special. Typically Hanna Barbera is known for their quality and their great stories but this time around it all feels so cliché and tired. I acknowledge that this movie isn’t aimed precisely at someone like me, but as a fan of the company and as a fan of animation, there’s the sense that the could have done so much better. One consolation though is that the movie doesn’t skimp on the surprises.
Because you see “Yogi’s First Christmas” isn’t just celebrated by the glutton bear and his sidekick, no, the entire gang from Hanna Barbera comes along to celebrate the holiday from Huckleberry Hound and Snaggletooth right down to Doggy Daddy and his son Augie. This all star roster will serve as a treat for fans of the company as they form their own traditions amidst the ski lodge they work in for the holidays and battle two villains, one an obnoxious little boy and the other a mountain hermit, both of whom are intent on ruining Christmas for everyone.
Aside from the treat of celebrating with Barbera’s legendary roster, there’s also the top notch voice work from folks like Don Messick, and Daws Butler who never misses a beat with Yogi. The rest of the film really does work out in a predictable pace but it also manages to be a pretty entertaining time killer, especially if you’re celebrating Christmas with Yogi. The movie can be sloppily animated often without a hint of continuity, but “Yogi’s First Christmas” is a passable and entertaining enough holiday special with the hall of fame Hanna Barbera clan and a slew of great voice performances. It’s a rent.