Film review: Brother Bear
Apr. 10th, 2004 07:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
altivoYeah, I know, most of you have probably already seen it. I tend not to see films in the theatre, I'm too claustrophobic. But I knew I wanted to see this, and saw the DVD release last night.
If there was ever a 'furry' film made, I think this is it. Others have touched on the subject, notably in my mind, The Lion King, and Balto 2: Wolf Quest, but in Brother Bear I think the Disney crew dealt with some of the real issues rather than sidestepping them.
This is not to say the film doesn't have flaws. The worst in my opinion is the typical one of almost any theatrical release, the things that are cut out to keep it short. Fortunately, the DVD includes the usual deleted scenes, and we get to hear Kenai's confession to Koda in its original fullness. (The actors and soundtrack were recorded, the animation was cut before completion so some still sketches are inserted.) Despite that, the fullness of the lesson learned by Kenai and his brothers, both human and ursine, comes through clearly and without preachiness.
Unlike The Lion King, I felt that this film avoided promoting patriarchy, traditional families, and "responsible self-denial." Instead it presents harmony with nature and the overall consistency of a universe that is spiritual as well as physical. I thought it was just delightful. Kenai's punishment becomes his reward, and near and dear to my heart, that reward is furry.
Rating:
four and a half apples out of five (would be five if they hadn't cut that one scene up)
Preliminary disclaimer: I am not a film critic. I see perhaps four or five major films a year. For the most part, the issues that many discuss in film are meaningless to me. The story line, the underlying meaning, occasionally the quality of acting or artwork will be what impresses me. Technical issues of cinematography, special effects, etc. mostly don't matter to me.
If there was ever a 'furry' film made, I think this is it. Others have touched on the subject, notably in my mind, The Lion King, and Balto 2: Wolf Quest, but in Brother Bear I think the Disney crew dealt with some of the real issues rather than sidestepping them.
This is not to say the film doesn't have flaws. The worst in my opinion is the typical one of almost any theatrical release, the things that are cut out to keep it short. Fortunately, the DVD includes the usual deleted scenes, and we get to hear Kenai's confession to Koda in its original fullness. (The actors and soundtrack were recorded, the animation was cut before completion so some still sketches are inserted.) Despite that, the fullness of the lesson learned by Kenai and his brothers, both human and ursine, comes through clearly and without preachiness.
Unlike The Lion King, I felt that this film avoided promoting patriarchy, traditional families, and "responsible self-denial." Instead it presents harmony with nature and the overall consistency of a universe that is spiritual as well as physical. I thought it was just delightful. Kenai's punishment becomes his reward, and near and dear to my heart, that reward is furry.
Rating:
four and a half apples out of five (would be five if they hadn't cut that one scene up)
