Customer Reviews

Brother Bear (Walt Disney Pictures Presents) [VHS]

5 star:		(143)
4 star:		(75)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

I went to Brother Bear not really knowing what to expect. Some of the recent Disney hand drawn animated releases have fallen short of expectations. I have to say that I was extremely impressed by the plot and character development in this movie. The story, while it is a relatively simple one, is one that draws you in and makes you care about the characters. And while many of us can see where the plot is going, the journey is highly enjoyable with some unexpected twists along the way.

For those of you who don't know what the movie is about, it is a coming of age movie about a boy who becomes a man by becoming a bear. Beyond that, it is about breaking stereotypes, and developing a respect for life. It is about dealing with anger and loss. The emotional intensity of this movie is much more similar to Lilo and Stitch or Finding Nemo, than it is to older hand animated movies such as Aladdin or The Little Mermaid. My four year old is very sensitive and had to be held at several points during the movie. But my six year old loved it, and learned some valuable lessons as well.

If I had anything negative to say, it would be that the music is not as memorable as I would have liked. I wish that they had asked Sir Elton John to contribute to the music for the picture. I like Phil Collins, but the music is too reminiscent of Tarzan for me. Still, it's not enough of a negative in this movie to make me change my rating.

Overall, I think that if they made more hand animated movies like this, they could continue to put them out forever. CGI is nice, but part of what makes Pixar movies memorable is the care given to the plot. This movie will probably be one of the great animated sleeper movies of all time--definitely can't wait to own it on DVD as well.

"Brother Bear" has all the traits we are familiar with from Disney, but they are more nicely done than in some recent efforts. There is a grand sentimental theme (brotherly love), a soaring musical score, an earnest effort to incorporate another culture into the film (Inuit), an ornery lead who has something to learn (Kenai), a loveable little sidekick (Koda), and secondary characters for comic relief (Rutt and Tuke, two goofy mooses, played by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis re-enacting their "McKenzie Brothers" routine).

Somehow it comes together better than most. The quality of the animation is excellent, the characterizations clearer, the funny bits genuinely funny (my favorite bit was the mooses' penchant for doing yoga poses). Moreover, the ending was a bit less trite than is sometimes the case.

Disney true-blue fans will definitely want to see it, but even if you usually have a low tolerance for Disney stories, give this one a look.

We saw a special sneek preview on 10/25/03. Brother Bear is a hit. Well written story line, great music, and beautiful animation.

Make sure you stay until all the credits have run, there's one last "outtake" at the very very end of the movie. Most of the audience had walked out, and missed it.

Aloha,
The Oh Family
Honolulu, HI

I was lucky enough to see a screening of Brother Bear, and I was really impressed! At a time when there seems to be a glut of 3d slick animation, this movie really shows the beauty and grace of hand drawn animation through the lush backgrounds and impressive performances by the characters. Its sad that it seems disney is going to be making strictly 3d animated movies after this one, b/c they've got some AMAZING artists there who can really bring things to life with pencil and paper.

People should really enjoy this tale of brotherly love! Koda and Kenai are really endearing; and their relationship really tugs at the heart. The two moose are hilarious!!!!

A lot of the more recent Disney animated films haven't been so great. Definately not movies worthy of being in the Platinum Collection (wich includes to date Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and the Lion King). Brother Bear was so unexpected. I guessed that Disney was trying to cash in on the success of Tarzan (the other Disney film with music by Phil Collins), but the two are nothing alike. I went into the movie thinking the plot would be man turns into a bear resulting in good family fun. There is so much more to it. I really don't want to give anything away because the story takes you through so many surprises. The moose and the young bear, koda, definately steal the show, but you really do care for Kenai, the man who turns into a bear. I think Disney should have released this film after Home On The Range, the next and last Disney hand animated movie. That way they could go out with a bang. Home on the Range looks good, but good like Emporors New Groove was good. I really hope they change their mind and make more hand drawn, because I get sick of computer animation after a while. Take your family or friends to see Brother Bear. There is something for everyone in it.

"Brother Bear" has elements that every member of the family can enjoy. Adults will love the new Phil Collins music, children will fall in love with the adorable bear cub, Koda, and everyone is sure to love the moose, voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas. The theme of "Brother Bear" is seeing through another's eyes. Kenai is a member of the inuit tribe. When his eldest brother is killed by a bear, Kenai seeks revenge. To teach him a lesson, the spirit of his older brother turns him into a bear. He teams up with a cub named Koda and through their journey, Kenai learns to love him as a brother and sees the error of his previous lifestyle. "Brother Bear" is the kind of Disney film that leaves you happy and makes you want to watch it again and again.

I think there could have been better special features. 2-disc dosen't mean the special features are great. The first disc has a "Family Friendly" widescreen version of the film. "Brother Bear" was filmed with two aspect ratios. The first 21 minutes of the film was filmed in the standard widescreen size, and after Kenai is turned into a bear, the movie switches to cinemascope, which is really widescreen. The "Family Friendly" version on the first disc keeps the normal widescreen for the whole film. When you watch the second disc, the whole movie is in cinemascope, so the first 21 minutes has black bars on the side of the film, as well as on the top and bottom. I prefer the original aspect ratio on the second disc, but I wish they would have kept the first part of the film looking normal on it. There are special features for kids, including games, a sing-along, and more outakes that weren't on the ending credits. For adults, there is a 45-minute making of. I wish there would have been art galleries and a more extensive behind the scenes. But this release is good for now.

"Brother Bear" is going to be remembered ten years down the road the same way that "The Lion King" is. It has all of the elements that make a Disney animated film a classic.

I figure since I wrote a review for the soundtrack,might as well do it for the movie as well. Which I saw on opening day to a packed house,and currently no.2 top movie in the USA at the moment. ^_^

As described by the other Amazon members,it's about a boy named Kenai who loses his oldest brother to a bear,and after killing the bear,is transformed into one. Kenai befriends Koda along the way. And towards the end,they look upon themselves as brothers and learn the importance of brotherhood.

This movie actually has values in it. Which is good. Seeing as how some movies today are mindless dribble that do poorly in the box office soon after they hit. Brother Bear is really good and for sure will be a Disney hit.

Go see this!

I watched this movie at the recommendation of a friend and could not have been more pleased. The animation is incredible, from the lush scenery to the emotion of the characters (two and four-legged), the Disney animation department has taken extra special care to details in this movie. The story is so touching, there were several points I was moved to tears and the ending is perfect. The cast is excellent as well, from the talented young actor who voices Koda to the hilarious Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas as the moose, and Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai. I cannot say a bad thing about this movie, see it and let that be reward in itself.

We didn't expect much... but boy what a surprise! This is a deeply moving movie that the kids and adults will both love. Lots of fun, a lesson to be learned, and far removed from the typical romantic theme. Bring tissues - this will touch your heart!

I understand that "Brother Bear" will be Disney's last 2 dimensional animated movie (well, there is another one in April, but I think this is their last shot at a classic). It makes me sad to hear that. I am probably in the minority, but I have been delighted by Disney's last few movies aimed at an adult (as well as kid) sci fi/fanstay market- very daring in plot with beautiful animation and stories. These included "Atlantis", "Lilo and Stich," "Treasure Planet" and "Brother Bear" These films have all been on the edge, trying something new, and I fear that Disney will be put off by the negative reviews to stop continuing in this creative direction with 2D animation.

If this movie is really one of the last, then it is a beautiful film worth remembering. I know critics have picked on it for being too hacked up from other plot pieces, but I still think the theme is original. Some of the silent scenes, such as Sitka's funeral and the "Monster with a Spear" segments when Kenai sees the painting of the hunter and the bear are really haunting. The beauty is that the film plays these scenes mostly in silence, letting the music and the art set the mood. In general, most of the movie was played out in this subtle way, which I think enhanced it.

I also enjoyed how the film shifted to brilliant colors and full screen length when Kenai becomes a bear- a subtle way of showing how he now must see things through different eyes.

The comic relief with Kenai learning how to be a bear and the antics of the "Great White North" moose knockoffs was very good. The Phil Collins songs were not as good as in "Tarzan," (though the scene with "No Way Out" was very moving), but the instumentals were really beautiful, especially where the movie relied on native Inuit music t o set the mood (such as Sitka's funeral segment).

All in all, this is a fantastic movie. I came away with a real appreciation for the film's message about respecting other creatures instead of following stereotypes. I also enjoyed laughing at the subtly sarcastic humor interlaced through the movie. (Hang on through the credits and you will see one last little joke- most people miss it by walking out when the film ends)

I hope against hope that Disney will continue with 2D animation. Some aspects of 2D painted cells cannot yet be captured in 3d- such as the graceful movements of characters, the wafting hair on long-haired characters (have you noticed in 3D animation it is very rare to see long-haired characters with their hair loose), the lush, painted sets that resemble Maxfield Parrish art, the precise movements of the animals (which Disney seemed to painstakinlgy research- notice how the bears fluff up their ruffs when agitated, the way the moose scratch at fleas, or the loping grips of the claws as Koda climbs up a tree - 3D animation has not yet gotten that natural in look).

Oh, well. If Disney switches to 3D my wish would be for them to create some sort of alternative animation division that would create a few 2d films for art's sake or discover international versions of 2d films to develop for the US market - they did this with the English translation of "Spritied Away", and it paid off for them with the Oscar awards's "Best Animated Film 2002"

I hope you take the chance and go see 'Brother Bear', It is worth the price of admission. And it helps to show Disney the importance of keeping this type of artwork alive.