Plot: What’s it about?
The youngest of three brothers, Kenai finds his life shattered when his oldest brother is killed in a bear attack. The bond with his brother was so strong, Kenai is overcome with grief and confusion. He thinks that if he hunts down the bear, he can find some peace, so he tracks down the animal. But when he in turn kills the bear, a mystical event unfolds and Kenai is transformed into a bear himself, so quite a reversal. When his other brother arrives to take Kenai home, he finds only this bear and just as Kenai had done, he seeks out vengeance. Now Kenai must stay ahead of his own brother to survive, but he will need to rely on help from some unexpected sources in order to do so. In Brother Bear 2, Kenai is still a bear and reconnects with a person from his past. While Kenai is certain he doesn’t need a girl in his life, when a girl he became entangled with in the past wants to marry someone else, Kenai faces a serious problem. If he lets the girl go to her new love, then things can remain the same, but he will be heartbroken. But if he opts to marry the girl himself, he has to leave his life and friends behind. Faced with an impossible decision, what direction will Kenai choose to follow?
While not on par with the timeless Disney classics, the Brother Bear movies are solid entertainment. The original is better across the board, but the sequel isn’t bad at all. When Brother Bear leans on comedic elements, the films are fun and provide good laughs, but the dramatic side grinds it all to a halt. But if you can cringe through some drama here and there, the Brother Bear movies are good additions to your Disney collection. I love the hand drawn animation, with vivid colors and beautiful movement, especially now when computer generated visuals have all but taken over. The films offer a welcome return to the classic hand drawn style, which adds a lot to the experiences. The voice talent for both films is impressive, with a solid roster on deck in both cases, though some roles are recast in the sequel. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas steal the show as the moose, with great references for grown ups to pick up on and silliness that the kids will love. This release packs both movies into one package, with both Blu-ray and DVD versions, plus a selection of supplements. So for the price, you can’t beat this release. If you’re a fan of Disney or animated films in general, Brother Bear and Brother Bear 2 are worth adding to your collection.
Video: How does it look?
Brother Bear is presented in 2.35:1 widescreen, while Brother Bear 2 is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen. Both movies look excellent in this release, though the original offers a more polished overall presence. This is because the sequel was a direct to video release, so the animation isn’t quite as refined. Even so, both look terrific and offer up bright, sharp presentations. The hand drawn animation shines here, with bold hues that stream across the screen. The visuals show great detail as well, so every little nuance of the animation stands out. Fans should be most satisfied with these visual treatments.
Audio: How does it sound?
Each movie has been given a DTS HD 5.1 soundtrack and while the original sounds better, both are well handled. The surrounds get used often, thanks to frequent kinetic scenes. I wouldn’t call the audio explosive, but there is good presence and the tracks are by no means passive ones. The music sounds good and well placed, while dialogue is easy to pick up on and always at a proper volume balance. You can also find Spanish and French language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
While Brother Bear 2 offers only a look at the movie’s music, the original film has a decent slate of extras. An audio commentary by the moose, Rutt & Tuke is a highlight and well worth a listen, as actors Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas have a lot of hilarious comments. The original also offers a reel of outtakes, a few brief featurettes, a music video, and an interactive game of some kind. You can also watch a more substantial forty-five minute documentary on the production, as well as view some deleted scenes.
