Brother Bear 2003

Kenai a man who resents bears after a fight with one kills his older brother is turned into a bear so he can see life from a different perspective. He is visited by the spirit of his older brother and is told that if he wishes to be changed back into a human he must travel to the place where the lights touch the Earth in other words the Northern Lights. Fueled by hope Kenai sets off on his long journey and along the way encounters a younger bear Koda who is a chatterbox and a funloving spirit Koda is trying to find his way back to his home the Salmon Run which coincidentally is right next to where the lights touch the Earth. Koda and Kenai team up but are hunted by Kenais other brother Denahi who fears that the bear has killed Kenai as well. Along the way the two bears meet other friends including two moose some rams and some mammoths with whom they hitch a ride. However Kenai discovers that he likes being a bear and realizes that humans arent only ...

Review

Disney's penultimate traditionally animated feature proved to be one of its best. The film is loosely based on the mythology of the native people of the Pacific Northwest. It has many classic mythological elements such as transformations and journeys both physical and spiritual. It is also unique among Disney films in having no villain (at least in a tangible sense).

The movie features great music by Phil Collins and beautiful animation. It also makes novel use of the movie screen by switching to a wider aspect ratio at a certain point in the story.

The protagonist the Inuit Kenai learns the value of his totem love when he is transformed into a bear and becomes the traveling companion of the cub Koda. The film also features the hilarious Canadian moose Rutt and Tuke (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) for comic relief.

I would count Brother Bear among my three favorite animated films (along with South Park Bigger Longer & Uncut and Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron). It's also great for the kids. 1010