By Rick Elliott
Movie Review: Brother Bear
MPAA Rating: G
Stars (Out of 10): 8
One Word Summary: Mystical

Brother Bear Review:
On the surface, Disney's Brother Bear is a touching family film filled with adventure, humor, and likeable characters. Looking beyond the surface, you will also find a film resonating with themes of family, tradition, brotherhood, forgiveness, love and, most important, transformation. There is, of course, the literal transformation of the film's central character, Kenai (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix), into a bear but there is also the transformation of his heart, an awakening of his soul as he comes to a new level of understanding by walking in another's shoes – or, in this case paws! It is a theme that feels especially timely and a not so subtle reminder that judging others out of fear and hate is never as effective as an approach of love and understanding.

       One of the better films to come out of Disney studios in recent years, Brother Bear is wonderfully animated with lush painted backgrounds and 2- & 3-D drawings that hearken back to the pre-CG glory days. Directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker have assembled some of the best voices in the business to breath life into the characters. In addition to Phoenix, Brother Bear features the talents of D.B. Sweeney, Jeremy Suarez (TV's Bernie Mac), Jason Raize (Broadway's The Lion King), and Michael Clarke Duncan. Comic relief is hilariously provided by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis who lend voice to a pair of Canadian Moose who sound suspiciously like Bob & Doug Mackenzie. Phil Collins contributes to the score and has penned a handful of rousing new songs performed for the film by Tina Turner, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and the Bulgarian Women's Choir.

       Brother Bear is available in a 2-disc Special Edition loaded with extras. Disc 1 features a full version of the film in 1.66:1 ratio, which greatly minimizes the black bars on the screen – an aspect that is apparently supposed to make the film kid friendly. Extras on Disc 1 include commentary by Thomas and Moranis, outtakes, games, a featurette on the art of Foley sound effects, a featurette detailing the research performed for the animation, and a pair of music videos. Disc 2 (which I watched for review) offers the full film in the original 2.35:1 widescreen theatrical version, which places black bars around all 4 sides of the frame for the first 24 minutes. Bonus features on this disc include a making of documentary that, at 45 minutes, will interest the adults far more than the kids, a handful of mostly uninteresting deleted scenes, and two Phil Collin's songs: a complete, unedited version of 'The Fishing Song' and the original lyrics and vocal of 'The Transformation Song' which was translated into Eskimo and sung by the Bulgarian Women's choir for the film.

       

Brother Bear isn't likely to be dubbed an instant classic, but with its exciting story and wholesome messages, it is a fine addition to your family's home movie library.