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Brother Bear 2003 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Aaron Blaise, Bob Walker
G, 85 min. (nothing offensive) |
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Starring: Voices: Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Jason Raize, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, D.B. Sweeney, Michael Clarke Duncan
Producer: Chuck Williams
Screenplay: Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman
Cinematography: Walt Disney Pictures
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Released: 11.01.03 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
If, as indicated by Disney insiders, Brother Bear is the last of the 2D animation films that dominated the genre for decades,
it leaves us with a sense of sorrow to see the warmth and imaginative cell animation go the way of history. Brother
Bear even plays with our perceptions - the film begins in the traditional screen ratio of 1:85 to 1 and widens to a more
panoramic 2:35 to 1 during a pivotal point in the storyline. The film introduces ideas of tolerance and acceptance of others
to children, who undoubtedly will enjoy what the adventurous spirit of Brother Bear has to offer. There is a heavy
dose of New Age mysticism in relation to humans and animals, but not to the point where it becomes a distraction; the
filmmakers have crafted a story that is straightforward yet intriguing. It also portrays the concept of point of view to
young children, something that is usually too sophisticated for this target audience. Most of all, Brother Bear provides
terrific entertainment; a well-rounded affair for the entire family to enjoy.
The story tells the tale of three brothers set in ancient Native American times. The brothers - the oldest Sitka (voice of D.B. Sweeney),
strong-minded Denahi (Jason Raize), and the impatient upstart Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix) - wear totems around their neck,
symbolizing the spirit animal the elders envision them becoming. Upset and embarassed of his totem (a bear symbolizing love
for others), Kenai takes out his frustration on a large bear that has stolen his fish, resulting in a struggle between his brothers
and the bear, which kills Sitka. Bent on revenge, Kenai hunts the bear and kills it, but, as a result of his anger, he's
tranformed into a bear by the spirits in order to teach him a lesson. But Denahi thinks the bear also killed Kenai, turning him
against his good nature and becoming enraged with lust for vengeance. On the run from Denahi, Kenai befriends a young
abandoned cub, Koda (Jeremy Suarez), who, although irritating, becomes a close friend during their journey to the salmon
run - where all bears come to fatten up for the coming winter hibernation. But can Kenai escape Denahi's anger while protecting
his newfound friend?
Of course, as is the case with most Disney animated efforts, the storyline is interrupted for seemingly unnecessary song-and-dance
numbers (written and performed by Phil Collins) and intermittent comic relief in the form of two Canadian moose (voiced by
Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas). Although the moose provide some lighthearted touches between particularly intense
chase scenes between hunter and bear, the musical interludes don't really add anything significant to the development of
the characters or the film itself. I suspect their presence is driven by the always obligatory soundtrack, which is certainly
available in record stores now.
Directors Aaron Blaise and Bob Walker craft their tale with aplomb and a sense of destination in mind. Many animated films
exist without much purpose in mind, but Brother Bear intelligently calculates each scene in relation to its projected catharsis.
Especially noteworthy is the amount of suspense that is generated by a screenplay that, although relatively simpleton,
contains a few twists to keep even older viewers interested. There are several scenes here that remind us why cell
animation has a place amidst the onslaught of computer-generated animation, providing artful renditions of ideas that
may be too abstract for the exacting world of 3D characters. Brother Bear is a satisfying film, a fitting farewell for a
filmmaking style that once dominated the market.
© 2003 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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