Brother Bear
Rated GThe Basics
Title: Brother Bear
Rating: G
Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages 4+
Ages 3 - 7: Yellow
Ages 8 - 12: Green
Ages 13 - 17: Green
Violence Amount: Yellow
Violence Portrayal:
Green
Fear: Yellow
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Green
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green
Review:
In the Pacific Northwest, long ago, there
were three brothers. The impulsive youngest
brother, Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), sets off
to kill a bear that has stolen his fish. When
the two older brothers go to help him, the
oldest one is killed. Kenai wants to go after
the bear right away, but his remaining brother
refuses. So, Kenai decides to find the bear
himself. Thus begins his long journey of self-discovery.
He follows the bear to the place where the
sky touches the earth, finds, fights, and
slays the bear. At this point, with the sky
exploding into many hues, the Great Spirit
turns Kenai into a bear, the creature he detests.
Kenai needs to find out how to be turned back
into himself and journeys back to the mountain.
Along the way, he meets two funny moose named
Rutt (Rick Moranis) and Tuke (Dave Thomas).
He also meets a young cub named Koda (Jeremy
Suarez). Koda tells him that he can lead Kenai
back to the mountain if Kenai will take him
to the salmon run to find his mother. Meanwhile,
Kenai’s brother is looking to kill the
bear that took his two brothers away from
him. That bear is now Kenai--brother is hunting
brother. Kenai and Koda become like brothers
as their journey continues and Kenai learns
about life as a bear. He also learns what
it’s like to have a someone younger depend
on you and thus he matures. There are some
scary parts in the movie for younger viewers--the
death of the bear and the death of Sitka,
the oldest brother, may frighten small children.
The messages of the connections among all
creatures and our relationship to nature and
animals is highlighted. The colors and animation
are satisfactory, but the story as a whole
is not one of Disney’s best efforts.
Children will like it, but their parents may
not enjoy it quite as much as other Disney
movies.
|
 Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.
Linda has been a lover of movies
since she was a small child. This
love of film eventually brought
her to the point in life where
she is now, a film critic. She
was featured on WCCO radio for
three years on the “Dark
in the Morning” show with
Dark Star.
In December of 2001, Linda became
the film critic for the syndicated
“Ruth Koscielak Show”.
Linda sees over 150 movies a
year and has had the opportunity
to interview a number of directors
and actors when they are in town.
She has also appeared on a public
access show called the "Cinema
Judge" and has ventured into
writing for "Cinestar"
magazine in September 2002. The
Twin Cities movie magazine is
available, for free, at most local
Blockbuster's and local movie
cheaters.
Her website is: www.lindathomasmovies.com
As one of the few female reviewers
in the Twin Cities area, she brings
a unique point of view to her
reviews. Linda has raised two
children, a boy and a girl, and
knows what they like in movies
and what is appropriate. Hopefully,
her reviews will help your family
in choosing where to next spend
your movie-going dollar.
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