Summary
Highlights
The speaker shares their initial surprise and concern upon hearing the news of Barney's relaunch, emphasizing the need for respectful discussion despite strong opinions. The announcement details Mattel's comprehensive revitalization of the Barney brand, spanning television, film, YouTube, music, and a full range of products for both children and adult fans. The speaker expresses excitement for the relaunch, especially as Barney has been absent in a large capacity since 2010, marking 13 years of obscurity. They appreciate the acknowledgment of the 35th anniversary of the franchise by making such a significant announcement.
The main point of contention is the announcement of a new animated series set to debut in 2024. The speaker, along with many long-time fans, believes Barney has always been a live-action franchise, with a tangible, costumed character fostering imagination and realism. They fear that a fully animated approach might serve as a cost-saving measure, doing a disservice to the franchise's history and the effort of past cast and crew. There's also concern about Mattel's historical tendency to only focus on the most recent decade of Barney (2000-2010), potentially erasing the '90s, which was Barney's peak. The speaker hopes live-action Barney will still be a part of the future, expressing worry about the fate of existing costumes.
The article quotes Mattel's statement about hoping to inspire the next generation while also appealing to parents who fondly remember the original Barney. The speaker appreciates Mattel acknowledging the adult fanbase, contrasting it with other franchises that overdo nostalgia. They also address Mattel's desire for the new series to reflect the world kids live in today, which could lead to meaningful lessons about navigating diverse communities and being kind to differences – something they desired for Barney that was limited in the past. However, they also highlight a possible connection between this announcement and controversies surrounding Mattel's handling of the Thomas the Tank Engine community, suggesting potential timing for damage control due to a general press release and lack of substantial information (like a trailer).
The video delves into the specific design of the CG animated Barney model. The speaker expresses strong reservations, arguing that Barney's unique design doesn't translate well to CG. Key criticisms include Barney having four fingers instead of the anatomically correct two for a Tyrannosaurus Rex, which diverges from the original costume's design philosophy. While liking the feet, they dislike the facial emoting implied by the model and fear how talking in CG will look. The color shade is also criticized for not matching Barney's specific Pantone color, suggesting a lack of attention to detail inherent in the character's legacy. The stomach's texture is noted as a stuffed animal texture, but its inconsistency with the rest of the body is questioned. Overall, the speaker feels the CG model makes Barney look generic rather than iconic.
Mattel's press release mentions 'apparel and accessories for adult fans featuring classic Barney.' The speaker is cautiously optimistic, hoping this means more than just generic designs. They express a strong desire for replicas of the show's dolls, which couldn't be sold legally during the show's original run but could now be a possibility. They believe such merchandise would be highly sought after by the Barney community. Subsequently, news breaks about the name and logo for the new CG animated series: 'Barney's World,' set to debut on Cartoon Network's Cartoonito and Max in 2024. The speaker finds the name standard but is concerned by the article mentioning 'Dino's Billy and Baby Bop,' suggesting BJ might be renamed Billy due to immature jokes, a change they would strongly oppose given BJ's integral role and 30-year history.
A new costume variation of the CGI Barney redesign is unveiled at the Licensing Expo, causing a mix of anticipation and distress among fans. The speaker initially feels anger but acknowledges the costume's purpose as a 'walk-around' character for events, not a performance suit. They find it impressive given the limited source material (just one image of the CG model) but also point out that Mattel probably had more resources. While acknowledging it's a 'downgrade' from previous elaborate costumes, it serves its purpose. The main criticisms are the four-fingered hands with fingernails, which they find 'disgusting.' However, they appreciate that the costume maintains Barney's traditional height, pushing back on fears that the animated version would make him a child.
The speaker addresses comments made by the casting director for 'Barney's World' in a podcast. The director remarks that the new Barney is 'not scary' and a '3D really fun cute guy,' implying the original was scary, and states that the iconic 'I Love You' song has been 'revamped' and fans shouldn't sing it. The speaker finds these comments disrespectful to the original creators and the enduring legacy of Barney. They argue that children never found Barney scary, only some adults. The idea of revamping the beloved song is also met with confusion and disappointment, especially regarding the lack of details on which song was revamped. The speaker emphasizes that people involved in the project often lack deep knowledge of the franchise due to its long absence from mainstream media, leading to such dismissive comments. They urge for respect towards the brand and its long-standing fanbase, emphasizing that Barney's enduring popularity on platforms like YouTube shows its continued relevance.