BROTHER BEAR 
Starring the vocal talents
of:
Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Jason Raize, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, D.B.
Sweeny and Michael Clarke Duncan
Directors:
Aaron Blaise and Bob Walker
Running Time:
85 mins
"My name is Koda, say it with me. Ko.. da.."
Koda
As the glaziers retreat and the ice age draws to an end, the youngest of three brothers Kenai (Phoenix) is desperate to become a man after he receives his totem from the tribe's Sharman. But when that totem isn't what he expected it to be, he storms off to prove his manhood in his own way. His two older brothers follow him only to discover that Kenai is taking on a bear that is far too large and powerful for one man. The brothers are drawn into the fight but Sitka (Sweeny) is tragically killed saving his two younger brothers from the advancing bear. Driven by grief and swearing vengeance, Kenai tracks down the bear and kills it only for the Spirit Gods to teach him a lesson by changing him into a bear to see the consequences of his actions.
As the spectra of death hangs over Hollywood's production of traditional 2D animation, the company that started it all has another attempt at breathing some life into a dying art. Can Brother Bear be good enough to save 2D?
Well for America animation I'd say no. While Brother Bear is Disney's best 2D offering since Tarzan, it just isn't imaginative or creative enough to make its mark against the onslaught of the computer generated animated movie. There is no argument that is it beautifully animated with all the stable offerings of the genre, a cute cast of furry creatures, action sequences and a comedy duo but it just doesn't have the story and character development that you associate with the 3D movies, especially the ones produced by Pixar.
What the movie does have going for it however is the two central characters. The interactions between Kenai and Koda are the highlight of the movie. This love hate, brotherly relationship between the newly transformed Native American and a bear cub is what drives the film but suffers slightly from not having enough screen time. At only eighty-five minutes long, the middle act of relationship building only just gets started before we are thrown into the climatic events. This is a real shame as these moments are the most sweet, heartbreaking and best-written moments of the movie.
The film also suffers from a small get of main characters. The undeniably cute Koda, voiced magnificently by 10 year-old Jeremy Suarez, Kenai and his brother Denahi are the only characters given significant screen and development time. Yes there are some smaller characters thrown in as comic relief, most noticeably the two Canadian moose Rutt and Tuke, played to comic perfection by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, but their presence is only fleeting.
The story and themes are uplifting and educational, as we all should respect nature and beware of the consequences of our actions but it just doesn't have the same emotional impact and sense of completeness that some of Disney's earlier animated classics have. This is the main difference between the current batch of 2D and 3D animated movies.
While executives and film companies think computer-generated animation is what the public want to see and this is why most of the major studios are dropping traditional projects for CG, it isn't this at all. The public just want to see a good story and that is what the people behind the 3D films are delivering.
Brother Bear is good, solid Disney entertainment that, while it might not be the most inventive or original movie, does exactly what it set out to do, entertain the kids. There is a lot to enjoy here and a decent message for all the family but just don't expect the movie to stay long in the memory.
Audio commentary from Rutt and Tuke!, Deleted scenes, Koda's outtakes, 'Look Through My Eyes' music video, Brother Bear 'Bone Puzzle' and 'Find Your Totem' games, 'Bear Legends': Native American tales, 'Making Noise: The Art Of Foley' featurette, 'Fishing Song': a previously unheard song & 'Transformation' song (with original Phil Collins lyrics)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
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2003
