Cheap Brother Bear (2-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) (Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis) (Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker (VII)) Price

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Customer Reviews of Brother Bear (2-Disc Special Edition)

A True Disney Classic!
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.

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Pleasant, but hardly one of Disney's best.
BROTHER BEAR may not achieve the "classic status" most of Disney's other films have received, but it's a definite improvement over last year's TREASURE PLANET. Produced by Disney's Orlando Animation unit, who made the wonderful MULAN in addition to LILO AND STITCH, one cannot help but expect good material. Those expectations are almost completely fulfilled. BROTHER BEAR is actually the weakest of the three Orlando productions; while it is indeed a beautiful, fun movie, it falls short of a classic. It ranks on the levels of a preivous Disney production, THE FOX AND THE HOUND -- well animated and enjoyable, but hardly worthy of "masterpiece" status.

The tale, set by a snowy mountain "where the lights touch", involves three Alaskan brothers -- Sitka, the eldest (voiced by D.B. Sweeney); Denahi, the tease (Jason Raize); and ultimately, impulsive and hot-tempered Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix). About ten minutes into the picture, Sitka dies in an avalanche in trying to protect his brothers from a bear, and Kenai, burning with immature rage, swears vengeance... and succeeds in killing the bear. In an amazingly animated sequence, Kenai is transformed into a bear himself, and pursued by the now battle-hardened Denahi (who believes he is dead). Kenai finds an unlikely ally in an orphaned bear cub, Koda (Jeremy Suarez), as he sets off for the glowing lights in order to regain his right to be human again. His relationship with Koda eventually melts the frost in his heart, and he learns that compassion is a very valuable force. (He also discovers, painfully, that the bear he killed was actually Koda's mother.)

Sure, the synopsis above doesn't sound inspiring, but it's told, for the most part, very well through gorgeous animation. When Kenai becomes a bear, the screen becomes wider as if to illustrate a bear's point of view -- a technically unique touch. Koda, in addition, is arguably the highlight of the show. Eager-to-please and earnest, this little chatterbox of a cub has the sort of fire to warm Kenai's frosty heart, and delivers some of the best lines in the film. Phil Collins once again lends his golden voice to the movie by contributing six songs, which are bouncy and pleasant to say the least if not memorable. Unfortunately, there are gripes I have about two numbers. The first, sung by Tina Turner, is a little weak; the second one which plays during a very crucial moment in the movie (the scene where Kenai informs Koda how his mother died) dampens what should have been a heartwrenching sequence. Employing chilling background music would probably have been a better choice. In fact, recent animated productions have proven how they can tell an effective story *without* relying on songs.

They've also proven that comic sidekicks are not always required. In this case, the two moose who make most of the comedy, Rutt and Tuke (Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis), feel both contrived in both the flow of the story and plot; their humor is, for the most part, good, but there's nothing we haven't already seen from these kind of comedians, and they could have been featured in a different story. Actually, after the first 20 minutes before Kenai becomes a bear, the movie has a lot of comic moments... and ends abruptly and unsatisfyingly, too. Although there are funny outtakes in the closing credits, I was left feeling cold, as if the movie had some brilliant ideas but couldn't come to grips with its resolution.

All in all, BROTHER BEAR *is* a decent, well-animated piece of family entertainment. It has a lot of high merits and interesting concepts. I liked the film, but I don't consider it one of Disney's best.

The DVD, by the way, features yet another good, solid transfer from the Mouse House and an interesting (although somewhat extraneous) amount of extras: the best of which is an alternate version of Kenai's confession to Koda (without the loudly-mixed, out-of-place Phil Collins song). This version, IMO, *should* have remained in the picture, as it packs more of an emotional punch than the final version ever did.

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An Amazing Bear
I saw the trailers for Brother Bear when it was in theatres and didn't really think much about it, until it got the Academy Award Nomination for Best Animated Feature, then I said to myself that this could be good, and guess what...it is!

Brother Bear is about Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), a young Native boy who takes revenge on the bear who killed his older brother. When his brother's spirit sees what he's doing, he changes Kenai into a Bear to make him see through the animals point-of-view.

AMAZING! I was really impressed at how well done this movie is. I have to admit that this is one of my favorite animated films to date. The music by Phil Collins and (surprise!) Tina Turner are great! The score really stands out too, especially during the exciting transformation scene. Though, not as much music as my second favorite animated film, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, this one still delivers and music placement is put in where music is needed. The story is a bit strong and there are some scary scenes that may frighten little children, but other than that, the kids will forget about it when the two hilarious Moose, Rutt and Tuke, arrive on-screen (voiced wonderfully by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas). The Animation mixed in with a few CGI's are fantastic! as is the detail and the usage of the widescreen scope is used to the fullest extent. I was reading around and one reviewer said that this is a collaboration of all of the Disney themes, such as family in 'The Lion King', the transformation of 'The Little Mermaid', the Natives in 'Pocahontas' and the collaboration of Phil Collins again, just like in 'Tarzan'. I do agree with this and found it incredibly interesting that there are similarities which I welcome to with open arms.

I have to comment on how animated films have more adult themes to them these days. The 3 Nominated films of 2003 have elements of death or separation to them. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, it's actually, to me, a breath of fresh air. Brother Bear does have some intense and scary moments but at the same time there are are those fluffy scenes that back it up. I grew up watching Disney films right when I was at least 7 years old and ten years later, I have to admit, I still watch them. That may seem a bit sad and embarrasing, on my part, but it just shows how Animated films, such as Brother Bear, have that long range of age where no matter how old you are, you can still learn and relate to what these stories have to tell. It's really a dissapointment to hear that Traditional Animation is fading away, as it really shows the talent of human art, but times are changing and so is technology. So, just as long as Animated films have a great story to tell then I'm open to the posibilities that Computer Animation has to offer.

So, in the end, Brother Bear is an excellent mix of Disney themes that is filled with great music, good story and overall just a great film.