Jesper Brun Disney has done it before. And every time it is so sad, 'cause there are many good aspects of flops like The Black Cauldron aside from the unlikable main characters and episodic plotline and unfinished ending, in the underrated Hunchback of Notre Dame aside from the annoying forced-in comic relief gargoyles , and in The Fox and the Hound aside from the anti-climatic disappointment because of the fear of being too harsh by letting a character die in an otherwise strong scene. This is much the same problem with Disney's Brother Bear. It starts of with this beautifully traditionally animated trip into an exciting culture of some kind of Inuit tribes with the atmospheric "Great Spirits" playing. Our main character learns about the symbols of animals and nature and what they represent. Then he and his brother travels off to hunt and encounters a bear which ends up killing the brother and as a result of our main character killing the bear too, he is transformed into a bear. Aaaand from there it plunders into this done to death budy comedy and it just gets sickly sweet and colourful. I like the colours, but mixed up with a sub-par Phil Collins soundtrack which is either annoying or ruins dramatic scenes, it is just lazy. The ending is to its credic in the same vein as the begining. It comes back from this completely different movie to wrap up the lessons our main character has learned. It is a heart-warming ending which evened up the cringe from many of these done to death characters we have to encounter. It is pretty average, but the begining and ending stands out. Over all, I am glad I watched it. Your kids may certainly like it.

Python Hyena Brother Bear (2003): Dir: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker / Voices: Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, D.B. Sweeney: Entertaining animation about man's relationship with nature. Three brothers catch fish for their tribe. It is custom that when they get older they receive necklaces carved in the likeness of animals to symbolize a particular strength. Older brother is eagle of guidance. Middle brother is wolf of wisdom. The youngest is bear of love. This comes as a disappointment due to ridicule. An encounter with a bear renders the death of an older brother who gives his life by causing a glacier to collapse. The bear survives and the younger brother seeks revenge. Upon slaying the bear the great spirits transforms him into a bear and is companioned with a bear cub. Directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker are aided by glorious images but the screenplay is far from glorious. Joaquin Phoenix voices the transformed victim but such an act comes off as contrived with a predicted resolution. Jeremy Suarez voices the cub whose mother is killed and he forms a friendship with her killer. D.B. Sweeney voices the resourceful older brother. Strange Brew duo Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas voice two moose in the comic likenesses of themselves. Themes of independence and friendship marred by new age elements and a debatable ending. Score: 7 / 10

lyy1992 Brother Bear is such a heart touching and educational movie that can't be missed. However Finding Nemo won the Academy Award because of it is in 3D, well that was something special at that time. Compared to graphics, hand drawn animation was a little outdated at 2003, however the storytelling and music score are beyond compare. After The Lion King, I believe this is the only hand drawn animation that shows the importance of family. As the name suggest, brotherhood is obviously the greatest element in the story. No matter Kenai is in the bear form or human form, brotherhood is always there. He never realized the feelings of bear until he managed to kill one of it, which is Koda's mother, and later his brother bear. Whilst Denahi, Kenai's human brother, set out to take vengeance as he assumed Kenai was killed by a bear, in which the bear is Kenai himself transformed by spiritual power. That kind of misunderstanding is something that's always happening between brothers and sisters in real life. And the story can make a heart-melting ending (which made me cry). If it is shown up earlier, maybe 3 years earlier, or different time with Finding Nemo, it can gain much more positive response, because I believe that good story is the main element that makes an animated movie unforgettable.

mkatie233 This is probably my favorite Disney movie. I love all Disney movies but this is definitely my favorite. I think the soundtrack is amazing one of my favorite songs is, "On My Way." The reason I gave the movie a 9 instead of a 10 is because the movie is very sad at some parts. I think this movie sends an amazing message. I also think this movie underrated. This movie really sends you a message about how you should handle difficult situations. Koda is adorable and Rut and Tuk are really really funny. This movie did make me cry because it was so touching. I feel like watching it right now but I can't because my disk is scratched which makes me sad but i'll probably download it on Itunes or something.