Film Review #40: Brother Bear

Remember what I said on the Lilo and Stitch review?  Well, it was true.  

Disney hit a rough spell.  From Treasure Planet forward, Disney lost millions of dollars, fans, and critics following a run of disastrous movies.  No matter how we look at them as films, we know only that this was the beginning of the end for Disney Animation, and feared what lay beyond time.  Brother Bear was one of these first films.  It lacked any story strength and strong character relations.  It was a weak and foolishly put together movie that, like it's predecessor, should have been a much better film.  

Plot: In the days of the Eskimos, three brothers Kenai, Sitka, and Denahi live together with their tribe.  Kenai is ready to receive his spirit animal, but is downtrodden when he receives the "Bear of Love".  Later the brothers are attacked by a mother bear and Sitka dies.  Kenai goes out on a hunt alone and kills the bear.  The spirits are disappointed in him and in order for him to learn the lesson, he is transformed into a bear.

Kenai realizes the only way to become human again is to reach the northern lights.  He is accompanied by the cub of the bear he killed, an annoying little twerp named Koda.  Along the way they meet new friends and must avoid the revenge seeking Denahi.

What's Bad?: The film suffers from over-modernization.  In a story that should have been timeless, the film is modernized by jokes from a couple of annoying Canadian animals, particularly two moose.  The talk that goes on between the animals is way too modern. 

The Phil Collins songs are more annoying this time around than they were in Tarzan.  There should have been more instrumental moments during the emotional scenes instead of Collins songs.  

What's Good?: The scenes of the Eskimo people are far superior.  The dialogue between the humans is more timeless and the characters are more likable, including a Rafiki-esque lead shaman woman.  The relationship between the three brothers is also very believable and genuine.  I especially liked Jason Raize's performance as Denahi, who loses two brothers in a span of a few hours.

Overall: While the film isn't technically that awful, its still a drag to sit through.  The kid is especially annoying and was just written in as a marketing gimmick to appeal to kids.  The film is seriously weak and the studio was in serious trouble.

Report Card:

Hero:                             81

Heroine:                       N/A

Villain:                          N/A

Side Characters:          70

Songs:                           70

Musical Score:             70

Animation:                    80

Special Effects:             75

Story:                            84

Themes:                        80

Final Grade:                  76