Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot
Title card
Directed by	Mike Fallows
Produced by	Cynthia Taylor
Written by	Jeffrey Alan Schechter
Starring	Julie Lemieux Allie Cannito Adrian Truss Susan Roman Katie Griffin
Music by	Ian Thomas
Editing by	Annellie Samuel
Studio	Nelvana Limited American Greetings
Distributed by	United States: Lions Gate Home Entertainment (Family Home Entertainment) Overseas: Universal Studios Home Video
Release date(s)	October 5, 2004
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States Canada
Language	English
Budget	US$3–5 million

Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot is a fun, computer-animated musical adventure film from 2004. It was made by Nelvana and released by Lions Gate Home Entertainment. This movie was special because it was the first time Nelvana had made a Care Bears film in 24 years! It was also the fourth movie starring the Care Bears and their first in 17 years. Plus, it was the very first Care Bears movie to use computer animation, which made it look different from the older ones.

The story is all about Funshine Bear, who loves to laugh and tell jokes. One day, a joke he tells accidentally upsets Grumpy Bear. Feeling bad, Funshine runs away to find a place where his jokes are always appreciated. He soon finds a town called Joke-a-lot, where everyone loves to laugh and have fun! Funshine quickly becomes the "King" of Joke-a-lot. But what he doesn't know is that a sneaky rat named Sir Funnybone is using him to get his paws on a special object called the Royal Sceptre.

Journey to Joke-a-lot first came out in the United States on October 5, 2004. It was later released in other countries by Universal Studios. Most people liked the movie, even though some thought the computer animation could be better. Because this movie was a success, Lions Gate released a sequel in 2005 called The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie. A music album with songs from the film and some new ones was also released on the same day the movie came out.

The Story of Joke-a-lot

The Care Bears live in a happy, cloud-filled land called Care-a-lot. They sing about it in the song "With All Your Heart." Grumpy Bear is busy building a rainbow carousel for the upcoming Care Bear Fair. Funshine Bear, who loves telling jokes, tries to cheer up Grumpy. But when the carousel goes out of control, Grumpy gets even more upset. Funshine tells a joke about height rules, which makes the other Bears laugh, but Grumpy isn't amused. He tells Funshine that if he doesn't understand how to cheer people up, maybe he doesn't belong in Care-a-lot.

The other Care Bears tell Grumpy to apologize to Funshine. But when they go to Funshine's house, he's gone! Tenderheart Bear finds a note saying Funshine felt bad and left to find a place where his jokes would be more welcome. The Bears are worried because they can't have their Fair without him. So, they decide to go find him and bring him back home. Tenderheart, Grumpy, Wish, Cheer, and Share Bear volunteer for the search. Laugh-a-Lot, Love-a-Lot, Friend, Good Luck, Bedtime, and Champ Bear stay behind to get the Fair ready.

Funshine's New Home

The day after Funshine leaves home, he hears circus music in the distance. He follows the sound and finds a bumper car. He takes a long ride that leads him to Joke-a-lot, a town where humor is the most important thing! This part of the story is told in the song "Make Em Laugh." The people of Joke-a-lot are surprised when Funshine lands in their town square with a parachute. A little piglet named Gig tells him where he is. Then, a rat named Sir Funnybone shows up and declares Funshine their long-lost King, even though Funshine says he's not.

Sir Funnybone actually put the bumper car in the woods on purpose. He wanted to trick someone into becoming king so he could gain power. He tells his helpers, three flies named Phido, Cleon, and Bidel, about his plan. Funshine soon learns that the word "serious" is a very bad word in Joke-a-lot!

The Royal Sceptre

The people of Joke-a-lot throw a big "Laff-Fest" party for Funshine. Funnybone gives him a tour of the town and takes him to the Royal Palace. There, Funshine learns about the past kings and sees the Royal Sceptre. The sceptre is kept in a secret vault called the Royal Treasury, which opens with a voice command. Funnybone says the sceptre holds the Royal Jewels of Joke-a-lot, which are "the source of the magic power behind all the fun." Only the king can open the vault. Funshine wants to see them, but Funnybone says a coronation ceremony is about to happen. Funnybone secretly plans to steal the sceptre from Grand Duke Giggle, a slow, elderly alligator who is currently holding it.

At the coronation, Funshine tells two jokes while waiting for Grand Duke Giggle to give him the sceptre. Meanwhile, the other Care Bears find Funshine's belongings and take the same bumper car ride he did. They crash right into the Royal Palace! Funshine is very happy to see them, but the other Bears are confused about him being king. They miss Funshine and want him to come back home to Care-a-lot. Even Grumpy apologizes for his harsh words. Funshine now has a tough choice: go home with his friends or stay King of Joke-a-lot, as he sings in "Here I'm a King." He decides to go home, but Sir Funnybone wants him to stay as king.

Saving Joke-a-lot

During the "Laff-Fest," Giggle gives the sceptre to the new king. Funnybone orders Phido, Cleon, and Bidel to steal it when Funshine isn't looking. Funnybone gets into the Treasury with the sceptre, unlocks the Royal Jewels, and escapes on a pink dirigible. Grumpy is still fixing his carousel, but the other Bears realize they can use it to stop Funnybone. The carousel spins onto the dirigible, bursting its balloon and making it crash.

When the Care Bears find Funnybone, he reveals his real name is Basil Ratbone, and he's from the No Fun Atoll. People there live a very "serious" life. He wanted the jewels so badly to make his people happy that he planned to steal them from Joke-a-lot. He even pretended that Funshine's tummy symbol was the royal birthmark. But the real birthmark, a "smiley mouth," was actually behind Gig's ears!

Funnybone apologizes for his bad actions. The Care Bears open the chest and find a jack-in-the-box and other toys. Funshine tells them these are the real magic jewels. Soon, everyone in Joke-a-lot attends a new coronation where Gig becomes their Princess (though she's more like a Queen). The Care Bears promise to visit Joke-a-lot again someday and fly home on the magical horses from their carousel.

Who's Who in the Movie

Here are the talented actors who lent their voices to the characters in Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot:

Movie Music

The music for Journey to Joke-a-lot was created by Canadian musician Ian Thomas. He also produced the songs. Jane Siberry wrote and sang the first song, "With All Your Heart."

A soundtrack album was released by Madacy Kids, a part of Madacy Entertainment. It has 13 songs. Five of these songs were featured in the movie: "With All Your Heart," "Make 'Em Laugh," "In the Land of Joke-a-lot," "Here I'm a King," and "I Like My Friends a Lot."

After the movie came out, Jane Siberry performed "With All Your Heart" live. A newspaper reviewer said she sang it with "absolute sincerity." In 2005, Ian Thomas was nominated for a Gemini Award for his amazing music in the film. This award was for Best Original Score for an Animated Program or Series.

See also

In Spanish: Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot para niños