Brother Bear

Heartwarming, if not as impactful as it intends to be.

<em>'Brother Bear'</em> leaves heartfelt feelings and features a cute story. It does get a bit too melancholic in moments where it doesn't need to be or where it's not set up perfectly. It can also feel a little predictable, but the twist is decent enough. Animation-wise it's fine, while that early aspect ratio stuff is oddly done.

The voice cast aren't amazing, despite the talents of Joaquin Phoenix (Kenai) and Michael Clarke Duncan (Tug). Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas are pretty amusing as Rutt and Tuke though. As a whole, I just do...

"Kenai" is a young Inuit warrior who disturbs the spirits when he kills a bear. His punishment is to be turned into one himself, and be left to wander the wilderness alone. Luckily, he encounters the young cub "Koda" who thinks he might know the exact spot where "Kenai" might be restored to his humanity. What doesn't help their quest is that his human brother "Denahi" thinks that "Kenai" has been killed by a bear, and so is chasing his new form with lethal intent. As the two bears start to bond, they have some fun escapades, meet the "Stadler & Waldorf" of the moose fraternity and "Kenai" lear...