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Brother Bear

Play trailer 2:01 Poster for Brother Bear G Released Nov 1, 2003 1h 25m Kids & Family Adventure Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
37% Tomatometer 131 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix) is a young Indian brave with a particular distaste for bears. When his brother Sitka (D.B. Sweeney) is killed by one, Kenai in turn kills the bear, only to be magically transformed into one himself. To make matters worse, his other brother Denahi (Jason Raize) vows to kill the bear Kenai has become. Kenai's only hope is a magical mountain where he believes he can be changed back to a human, and he enlists a real bear cub, Koda, to get him there.
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Brother Bear

Brother Bear

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Critics Consensus

Brother Bear is gentle and pleasant if unremarkable Disney fare, with so-so animation and generic plotting.

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Critics Reviews

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Sheila Norman-Culp Associated Press Disney hides the morality tale behind a rip-roaring soundtrack, goofy moose sidekicks and enough bear slapstick to delight any child. Jan 23, 2019 Full Review Neil Norman London Evening Standard While the animation itself (from the same team as Mulan) is charming and at times beautiful, the script is banal and uninspired. Jan 11, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Lackluster story only for kindergarteners. Rated: 2/5 Dec 22, 2010 Full Review Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn While the film can definitely be annoying in its comedy and have some misses such as the soundtrack, the emotional core of the film is still wildly strong with a moving and mature conversation that is honestly one of Disney's best. Jan 21, 2023 Full Review Sergio Benítez Espinof A succession of sequences already seen many times before that turn the film into a predictable trance. [Full Review in Spanish] Apr 29, 2020 Full Review Mark Steyn The Spectator Rough rule of thumb: the more an animated movie drones on about the Great Spirit, the less likely it is to have any great spirit. Feb 3, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tessa B Brother Bear is a heartfelt and beautiful movie, that I loved as a kid and still adore today. The story is touching, the animation is stunning and the songs are unforgettable. I am still singing along to "On My Way"! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/30/24 Full Review Jay W "Brother Bear" is a 2003 Disney animated film. The story follows Kenai, voiced by Joaquin Phoenix. Kenai is an Inuit hunter and is punished after killing a bear by being forced to live as a bear. This movie is all over the place. The movie actually starts off pretty strong. When the movie focuses on the sibling dynamic between Kenai and his brothers it is some really good stuff. The animation is nice. Perhaps I am just waxing nostalgic about the old days of 2D animation. The music is also pretty good. The movie can feel pretty epic when it is embracing the intuit roots of the protagonists. But when the music shifts over to Phil Collins songs, there is much to be desired. Even if you're a Phil Collins fan, it's just that his songs do not fit with what is going on in the story. Or other times they fit so well that he is just vocalizing what they hope the audience is feeling. The trailers and advertisements featured the moose as if they were going to be prominent characters in the story. It is clear that they were trying to show off the comic relief, as to appeal more to the children. But, in all honesty, you could completely cut them out of the story and not miss a thing. There, I just cut 10 minutes of unfunny banter from the movie's runtime. Ironic that the studio wanted to promote the moose so heavily, considering they are some of the worst parts of the movie. The other worst parts come from the back and forth banter from our two leads. After Kenai turns into a bear, he is quickly teamed up with a fast-talking little cub named Coda. It is the typical grumpy loner teamed up with a precocious talkative partner. Will the grumpy loner learn to lighten up and have his heart softened through the journey? I'll never tell. This trope has already gotten old and was just recently used in the previous year's "Ice Age". Here nothing new is added to the formula, and the two characters are drawn to such an extreme that they become less relatable. What the movie should have focused more, was on the brother Sitka. His story was far more compelling of an angle, and a more original take on an old classic. But the movie goes the safe, boring route and just makes it a road trip buddy movie between two unlikely partners. Barely anything new, barely anything good, this movie does the bear minimum. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 11/30/24 Full Review Daisy V Brother bear is a wonderfully emotional movie. The target audience is young children, which should be obvious but many people are leaving negative reviews saying that it’s only entertaining for children which is the whole point. It’s a great movie to teach perspective and emotional regulation. It’s nice to see people of color in film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/11/24 Full Review Scarlett Z Brother Bear is an absolute masterpiece that continues to hold a special place in my heart. From its stunning animation to its heartfelt story, this movie truly stands the test of time. The way it blends humor, adventure, and deep emotional moments is nothing short of brilliant. The film takes you on a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and love, and it's impossible not to feel connected to the characters. Kenai’s transformation into a bear is a captivating metaphor for growth and understanding. His journey with Koda, the young bear cub, is at the heart of the movie and forms one of the most touching bonds ever shown in animation. The relationship between the two evolves so beautifully from reluctant companions to an unbreakable family, and it’s impossible not to be moved by their connection. What truly sets Brother Bear apart is its exploration of themes like family, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of nature. The film challenges perceptions about what it means to be a "man" and what it means to be a "bear." It reminds us that the world is bigger than our individual lives, and that every action we take affects the world around us. The idea of learning to see things from another’s perspective is beautifully explored, especially when Kenai learns to empathize with the very creatures he once sought to destroy. The animation in Brother Bear is breathtaking. The vibrant, natural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest are brought to life in such a way that it feels like you’re right there in the forest with Kenai and Koda. The soundtrack is also unforgettable. The songs by Phil Collins are so deeply woven into the story and emotions of the film that they elevate every scene to another level. "Great Spirits" opens the first movie with a powerful and spiritual anthem, setting the tone for the entire journey ahead. In Brother Bear 2, the song "Welcome to This Day" by Melissa Etheridge echoes the film’s themes of new beginnings and growth, perfectly complementing the continuation of Kenai and Koda’s story. Overall, Brother Bear is an incredible journey that reminds us of the importance of love, family, and seeing the world through the eyes of others. It's a film that doesn’t just entertain—it teaches and makes you reflect on your own place in the world. It's an absolute must-watch for anyone who appreciates a film that combines heart, humor, and meaningful life lessons. 5 out of 5 stars, without a doubt. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Bella N This movie is so cute and with the music I would still watch the wonderful movie. this is so enjoyable and so fun to sing along with the music and it is a must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Zara T A very good Disney movie which pulls at the heartstrings. Great storyline and voice actors. Beautiful music by Phill Collins. If only Disney made movies like this now a days! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Brother Bear

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix) is a young Indian brave with a particular distaste for bears. When his brother Sitka (D.B. Sweeney) is killed by one, Kenai in turn kills the bear, only to be magically transformed into one himself. To make matters worse, his other brother Denahi (Jason Raize) vows to kill the bear Kenai has become. Kenai's only hope is a magical mountain where he believes he can be changed back to a human, and he enlists a real bear cub, Koda, to get him there.
Director
Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Producer
Igor Khait
Screenwriter
Tab Murphy
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 1, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$85.3M
Runtime
1h 25m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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