By Tanya Batson-Savage, Staff ReporterBROTHER BEAR is a story about love, brotherhood and vengeance. The animated feature, directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, tells a magical story of three brothers, Kenai, Denahi, and Sitka.
Joaquin Phoenix lends his voice to Kenai. The youngest of the three Native American brothers, Kenai is just about to reach manhood. He is desperate to prove his right to manhood, but before he can do so he has to find his way as a bear first. Jason Raize (Denahi) and D.B. Sweeney (Sitka) play his older brothers.
If you are about to approach Brother Bear with the joys of Finding Nemo in mind, kindly tether your horses. Brother Bear is an animal of a very different colour - a different species, in fact.
Brother Bear is a funny, charming movie with a deeper meaning, which makes it easy to forgive that it's all a bit too derivative. The movie marks the more grown-up Disney which started to appear in the wake of The Lion King. Though the movie is not violent, issues such as death are not shied away from.
Even so, Brother Bear will probably sit more comfortably with the young. The simplicity of the story, as well as the use of magic, should sit well with young imaginations.
Additionally, Brother Bear often wades in sugary sentimentality, especially the songs, but it is funny enough for adults to enjoy.
What makes Brother Bear worthwhile is that it shows that true understanding and acceptance can only come through looking at the world through the eyes of the enemy.
Kenai is bent on meting out revenge on a bear. He believes that bears are savage, mindless killers. However, along the way to his revenge he finds himself transformed into a bear. He then has to learn to walk in the paws of a bear.
Brother Bear also makes statements about what it means to be a man. It suggests that bravery and strength are not all that it takes, but that a lot of love is also needed.
Kenai's journey to redemption brings a young cub Koda (Jeremy Suarez) across his path. Koda provides all the sugary sweet, teddy bear cuteness which liberally coats this film. A loveable ball of energetic brown fur, he tries to bury himself into Kenai's heart - and may also find his way into yours.
LOVE CONQUERS ALL
Brother Bear is certainly not for the overly cynical. To accept this movie, one does have to believe that love conquers all.
If this does not appeal, at least you may be able to find relief in the fact that the animals Kenai and Koda meet on their journey through the forest are very funny. At the top of this list are Rutt, voiced by Rick Moranis, and Tuke, voiced by Dave Thomas. These two brother moose, who are not on the brighter side of the gene pool, are hilarious additions to the story.
As such, despite its simple sweetness, Brother Bear can easily be watched by adults and should be enjoyed by the very young.
