Movie List


Brother Bear
poster Director: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Actors: Joaquin Phoenix (as Kenai (voice)), Jeremy Suarez (as Koda (voice)), Jason Raize (as Denahi (voice)), Rick Moranis (as Rutt (voice)), Dave Thomas (as Tuke (voice)), D.B. Sweeney (as Sitka (voice)), Joan Copeland (as Tanana (voice)), Michael Clarke Duncan (as Tug (voice)), Harold Gould (as Old Denahi (voice)), Paul Christie (as Ram #1 (voice)), Daniel Mastrogiorgio (as Ram #2 (voice)), Estelle Harris (as Old Lady Bear (voice)), Greg Proops (as Male Lover Bear (voice)), Pauley Perrette (as Female Lover Bear (voice)), Darko Cesar (as Foreign Croatian Bear (voice))
Country: USA
Category: Animation
Year: 2003
Description: Long ago, as the Earth was emerging from the Ice Age, there were three brothers. After a bear takes the life of the oldest brother, impulsive youngest brother Kenai kills the bear in revenge, only to be transformed into a bear himself. Denami, the middle brother, comes upon this bear and, thinking it killed Kenai, vows revenge. Now brother hunts brother and Kenai's only hope for survival is to befriend his own worst enemy, a grizzly cub named Koda. Koda main goal is to show Kenai the real meaning of brotherhood.
Comments: Traditional animation is having a hard time these days, and not just thanks to competition with computer animation. Overly preachy morals and lack of adventure are starting to weigh down on both Disney's once powerful animation house as well as competitors such as DreamWorks.

"Brother Bear" rides a thin line that is entertaining but also sermonizing. Although not as politically correct as DreamWorks' "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron," the movie still smacks of the same revisionist history and pop mysticism that plagued Disney's own "Pocahontas." That these shortcomings don't bog down the whole picture speaks to the credit of the movie though, as does its somewhat leisurely but absorbing pace and funny performances.

Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix) is a Native American hunter in the Pacific Northwest circa 8,000 B.C. The youngest of three brothers, Kenai is upset when he discovers the animal chosen to be his spirit totem is a bear, the symbol of love in his village. Kenai is insulted both because he believes love is for sissies and considers bears unintelligent creatures. When he makes a reckless mistake that ironically involves a bear and goes looking for the animal along with his siblings, his oldest brother Sitka is forced to sacrifice himself to save Kenai from the bear.

When Kenai vindictively slays the animal however, he is changed into a bear himself by magical forces. Not wishing to remain in the body of an animal he hates, Kenai begins a trek to a mystical mountain where the "curse" will supposedly be lifted. He proves to be less than successful at survival skills in his new form, and is aided on his journey by a bear cub named Koda (Jeremy Suarez) who has been separated from his mother and needs help getting to a salmon run, a popular bear feeding spot where he's sure to meet up with her.

Koda proves to be an annoying livewire that Kenai initially wishes to ditch at the first opportunity but begrudgingly starts to form a mutual brother-like bond with the cub as they continue on their journey. However, Kenai's other brother Denhai is hunting him down, mistakenly believing Kenai is the bear that killed Sitka and has also killed Kenai as well.

Based on the above description it might be hard to consider this a movie small children could watch, but the animation is so lively and the comedy relief inserted in just the right tension-breaking moments that the movie avoids being depressing. Had the film not been animated with such bright colors the subject matter may have come off more disturbing at times. As it is, it's the right venue for a coming-of-age tale.

It should be noted, however, that the movie doesn't pull all its punches when it comes to disconcerting images. There are quite a few heartbreaking and frightening moments here, including a revelation late in the film that is as shocking as it is tragic.

However the best animated movies, like fairy tales, are the ones that often mix lighthearted moments with distressing ones. It's doubtful that "Bambi," "Watership Down" or "The Last Unicorn" would be so fondly loved and remembered had they only been cheerful.

In terms of voice acting Phoenix lacks a certain power necessary to bring Kenai alive. He is certainly a very able performer in front of a camera, but strip him down to just his mouth and he can't do the role justice. He certainly puts effort into the performance, but the role requires someone who can better evoke pathos from the audience.

Suarez, best know for playing the troublemaking Jordan on the popular sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show," is more successful as Koda. The cub is energetic and talkative in a way that annoys the main character but not the audience, which is a credit to the ten-year-old actor.

Also on hand are two dimwitted moose brothers Rutt (Rick Moranis) and Tuke (Dave Thomas), who pop up periodically to help the heroes or seek assistance themselves. Moranis and Thomas seem to be having a fun time invoking their Bob and Doug McKenzie characters from "SCTV," even going so far as to end their sentences with the stereotypical Canadian "eh" and altering their trademark line "hoser" into "hoofer." Every moment Rutt and Tuke onscreen is a welcome addition to the movie.

"Brother Bear" is one of the most unique animated features Disney has released in a long time, but still suffers from throwing together New Age spiritualism and suggesting a once harmonious coexistence between nature and mankind that frankly did not exist (or at least did not exist post-Eden). This is a story written by people who have obviously never read Thomas Hobbes.

Still, the movie has a nice heart to it with interestingly flawed characters that are a welcome departure from most Disney heroes. For a studio known for treating issues in black and white, it's refreshing to see a film where people learn that there can be multiple sides to any story.

Eight out ten stars. Good animation and interesting characters save what could have been a completely formulaic effort from the Mouse House.
Languages: English
Subtitles:
Length: 85 Min
Video format: XviD MPEG-4 Codec
Video bitrate: 1045 kbps
Audio format: MPEG Layer 3 (MP3)
Audio bitrate: 132 kbps
Resolution: 576x336
Files sizes: 699
Number Of Cd's: 1