What did you think of Brother Bear?

[crzy4mk]

I just took my 4 dd & wife to Brother Bear this week, and I was pleasantly suprised! IMHO, Disney has missed the mark with a few of their recent animated releases, but I thought Brother Bear was great. I'm not sure if it was because the animation was not done by computer or what, but it definitely had the feel and look of an older Disney feature. What did you think?

 

[JBurke]

I thought it was great! Me and my DD (6) were crying our eyes out. I really liked the message of the movie.
I really loved the music, Phil Collins makes some great songs!

 

[goofy4tink]

We saw it on Saturday. Loved it. My dd, 10, sobbed through the last 20 minutes though!!! Told her that Disney always teaches us a lesson and 'Brother Bear' is no exception. But, she said that she really loved the movie!!

 

[Kevs mom]

I took my DS 12, DD 9, and DS 5 last week to see it and we all enjoyed it - I even looked over at my 12 DS at one point and saw that he was crying (of course he was trying to hide it!) They all loved it even with their range in ages! Good job Disney can't wait to add that one to our collection!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Eeeh.... I thought it was a bit disappointing. The animation did seem fresh; the music was OK but forgettable. My biggest complaint was that there was so much prologue. My 6yo and 3yo kept wondering when the guy was gointo turn into a bear and where the tlaking moose were. . Not that this is a bad thing overall, but I think BB was a bit of a letdown for the Happy Meal crowd. But may BB live long and prosper! Disney needs successes like this to sustain its animation tradition.

 

[gtrist4life]

Our family thought it was pretty good, but not as good as Finding Nemo. We did slightly tear up towards the end. Looks like it will do well.

I personally thought Tina Turner's singing was out of place. I like it better when the voice actors (or a similar sounding singer) sing the songs, then the pop stars sing them on the radio/recordings JMHO

Peace
G4L

 

[scoggs]

I've got to say that overall I didn't like it much. However, my kids did, and that's what's important! I thought it was a little confusing for the little ones with the long beginning too, and at the end with the human staying a bear. JMHO!!

 

[elemusing]

I agree, I am a Disney FREAK! And it pains me to say this, but I thought it was so-so. Now it wasn't as bad as Cinderella II, mind you. ha

BUT my DS5 and the youth from our church loved it! I was dozing half way through. I didn't like the whole staying turned into a bear thing at the end . . .

Just MHO as well!

Angie

 

[meeko_33785]

It's definatly not the best Disney's ever done, but not their worst either. The plot to me just felt like they took pieces from other movies and jammed them together and hoped they'd fit. I mean, there were moments in the film that felt just like (or extreemly close to) Lion King, Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Groove, Bambi, Hercules, and about half a dozen other Disney films. I know they use similar plots in movies before (Lion King/ Bambi, Beauty and the Beast/ Groove, Cinderella/ Aladdin, Snow White/ Sleeping Beauty), but this just seemed like it was all they did- nothing original or great. And while the music was OK, it was very forgetable. I'd give it 3 out of 5 starts.

 

[KathyFP]

We enjoyed in! Koda was cute!

 

[DeniseD]

We thought it was just great! dd6 and dd2 sat completelly still the entire time. Even my dh loved it. I cried and I laughed out loud. To me, that makes a great movie.

 

[cashout]

I did not like it at all (except for the moose) What gets me is, when the man died, his spirit turned into an eagle; when the bear died, his spirit turned into a bear. Are they trying to say that it is more admirable to be an animal or something? And why could the bear not also turn into an eagle, or an otter, or a goldfish?

 

[bjakmom]

Could someone give me a little 'heads up' on who dies in BB and how? I've promised to take my little nephew (6), but he recently lost his dad and I don't know if the movie will be too sad for us to enjoy right now. Thanks for any input!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Personally I'm tired of the disney idea that someone has to die and you need to learn a valuable lesson. What was very refreshing to me about Monsters and Bugs Life and the Toy story movies is that this is what they were, great stories...not death and dying. ( and dare I mention Shrek?) I just want my kids and I to be able to see a movie and enjoy the ambience. No death no tears, just simple entertainment. To be honest I guess i've never gotten over the Bambi Lion King horrors of the babies crying for their parents. Do our kids have to learn this ???

 

[saraha62]

Originally posted by bjakmom
Could someone give me a little 'heads up' on who dies.... ? I've promised to take my little nephew (6), but he recently lost his dad ...

Oh that's awful!! Poor poor kid. sniff sniff just thinking about it...

The movie is about three brothers and the oldest of them is killed by a bear then the youngest turns into a bear to learn about the other side of the story.

I think it might hit too close to home, for your nephew...death is a big part of the movie. There are funny parts but I would say not worth the pain of examining fresh wounds. I don't know him though, depends on the kid, I guess.

I took DS (8) yesterday. Read the reviews first (lukewarm) and so my expectations were not high. I was pleasantly surprised that we both enjoyed it as much as we did. It's no Nemo (we love Nemo) but not a wash either. Since there are so few movies suitable for kids (and the weather is bad), it was certainly worth seeing. Probably will not buy it, though.

Loved the mooses the best "...Tree!"


My first post on disboards....i'm so nervous!

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks, saraha62 - and welcome to the Dis !!

I think you're right - I hadn't stopped to think that the movie might involve a death until I read this thread ! He re-watched Nemo and was OK, but the rest of us were completely 'done in' - the whole Dad searching for his son theme! Maybe I'll put this movie off for a while if death is a big part of the 'lesson' - we don't need a movie for that right now! I'm so glad I read this before I went!

 

[Doc and Family]

WELCOME SARAH!
Great job on the post!
Now that you've starting posting, I don't think you'll be able to stop.
We are planning to see BB this weekend.
I'll let you know how it goes with DSs 6 and 4.

 

[Madi100]

DH and I took our two DD 6 and 2. The two year old slept through it The six year old really enjoyed it. However, I think there are some confusing parts. Even for me. I knew this movie was about a bear, so what's with the people. (had to edit here because I make myself sound stupid). I knew that if I watched long enough, I'd get where the movie was going, but I think that for younger children, they need a simple plot. There was a little girl behind us, about 4 years old. She kept asking if they were going to go and find Koda's mom now. I think the whole meaning of the movie might be a little deep for younger children. The moose were hilarious. I'll never play I Spy the same way again.

Overall, I thought it was an excellent movie. I really enjoyed it, but might be a little confusing for the younger crowd.

 

[helenm29]

My family all thought it was a really wonderful movie. I especially loved the way the three brothers were so close and that they all had their path in life...I know, too mushy. But as with all Disney movies they started out sad and worked their way through it.
I really got a kick out of the two Moose! and the I spy thing was a crack up! It did take a little while to get to the bear part but my 10 year old twins picked right up on the mother bear thing. For those who haven't see it yet....ENJOY! Helen

As for Nemo, I HATED the way the movie opened! just what I needed, a good cry in the beginning of a "kids" movie. Fortunately, the supporting carachters certainly helped lighten the mood! I LOVE Dory! she's my kind of girl...like looking in the mirror! HAHA! don't let the first 5 minutes of the movie put you off though....it was really a heartwarming little story.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

My DH took the kids, DS10 and DD4, to see it this past weekend. They all loved it. DD4 wasn't confused, in fact the movie actually started some dialogue for us on death and dying. Things that all families eventually have to deal with, I know because this last year I lost my grandma and my DH lost his grandfather. I think it helped for the kids to be able to question and relate things back to the movie.
My DH did say that DS10 cried during the end, he usually does at scenes like that, i.e. opening of Nemo, My Dog Skip, The Fox and the Hound.
I think it helps him work through some tough emotions.
Now, I can't wait till it comes out on DVD so I can see it.