Brother Bear

2003·85 minG·English

Rate

6.94838%3.8/5

Stream

Rent & Buy

When an impulsive boy named Kenai is magically transformed into a bear, he must literally walk in another's footsteps until he learns some valuable life lessons. His courageous and often zany journey introduces him to a forest full of wildlife, including the lovable bear cub Koda, hilarious moose Rutt and Tuke, woolly mammoths and rambunctious rams.

What critics thought

Divisive

Brother Bear landed in mixed territory on release, with critics broadly agreeing the animation is handsome and the message earnest, but frequently finding the story too familiar and dramatically inert to rank among Disney's better work. The film's most interesting formal trick — shifting aspect ratios and color palettes when the protagonist transforms into a bear — drew more genuine enthusiasm than the narrative itself. Family audiences warmed to it considerably more than critics did.

“Brother Bear is a very mild animated entry from Disney with a distinctly recycled feel [because] the film's characters and narrative simply fail to engage strong interest, and tale is probably too resolutely serious to enchant small fry in the way the better Disney titles always have.”
Todd McCarthy·Variety
“This opulent movie, with gorgeous rainbow animation, is heavy on message but light on humor.”
Stephen Holden·The New York Times
“the richness and fluidity of its visuals”
Los Angeles Times
“doesn't have the zowie factor of The Lion King or Finding Nemo, but is sweet rather than exciting. Children and their parents are likely to relate on completely different levels, the adults connecting with the transfer of souls from man to beast, while the kids are excited by the adventure stuff.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“message of tolerance and respect for nature rings loud and clear. And family audiences are treated to a vibrantly hued movie with appealing characters.”
Claudia Puig·USA Today

Accolades

Genres

Adventure, Animation, Comedy