Brother Bear 1 & 2

Reviewer: Alyice Edrich

The Cartoon

The Plot

In Brother Bear 1, a young boy is transformed into a bear after killing a bear cub’s mother out of anger. The young boy, Kenai, has the chance to return to human form, but chooses to stay a bear to help raise the bear cub, Koda. The two bears become brothers.

In Brother Bear 2, the story continues as Kenai’s childhood sweetheart, Nita, is told by her ancestors that she cannot marry until she breaks the childhood bond she has with Kenai. Nita and Kenai set out together to break the bond, as directed by their ancestors, but along the way they discover a lost love and things will never be the same. Will Nita become a bear, too? Or will Kenai become a man again?

Starring

Patrick Dempsey as Kenai, Jeremy Suarez as Koda, Mandy Moore as Nita, Dave Thomas as Tuck, Rick Moranis as Russ, and more.

Review

There have been mixed feelings about the quality of Brother Bear 2 as well as the storyline, yet for the life of me I don’t get it. Perhaps it’s because Brother Bear 1 was designed to capture both the male and female audience as it had plenty of action and excitement, fast music tracks, and strong storyline. While Brother Bear 2 tends to cater towards the female gender as it deals with mushy stuff like friendship, love, and strong bonds.

Personally, I found Brother Bear 2 a pure delight!

The music performed by Melissa Etheridge is truly remarkable! Her voice is strong and inspirational and flows right along with the storyline. And the moose…well, let’s just say without their comic relief, Brother Bear 2 wouldn’t be nearly as good!

Then there are the characters: Kenai, Koda, and Nita.

Kenai has not only become a responsible young man-bear, but he has developed patience, understanding, and even a sense of humor! Koda is still Koda, a young cub with a big heart and a natural curiosity for life. Then there’s Nita, the young woman who seems to have lost her way. She almost seems bitter and lonely. But in finding true love, she re-discovers what it is to be truly happy and her playful nature resurfaces.

Kenai falls so in love with Nita that he contemplates the idea of becoming human again. Koda loves Kenai so much that he asks the Spirits to grant his wish to make Kenai human again. And Nita is left wondering if she can live without Kenai and Koda in her life.

As with any love story, there is an ultimate sacrifice to be made, but who will make it? You’ll just have to pick up a copy of Brother Bear 2 to find out!

Your Task

Watch Brother Bear 2 and simply enjoy the storyline, the music, and the comedic relief. Then when your children ask to watch it again—and they will—take the time to turn the event into a family movie/discussion night. Make some popcorn and hot cocoa, snuggle up on the couch and watch Brother Bear 1 followed by Brother Bear 2.

As you watch the DVD, pause it at various points throughout the film to discuss the sacrifices each has made in the name of love.

Questions like:

Why do you think Kenai was such an angry child?
Do you think being angry helps or hurts?
Why did Kenai’s brother break the ice knowing he would die?
Why do you think the spirits transformed Kenai into a bear?
Why did Kenai decide to stay a bear?
Do you know what love is?
How has Kenai changed since Brother Bear 1?
What do you think caused him to change how he acts and thinks about things?
Why is Nita afraid of the water?
When we’re afraid of things in our life should we hide them or talk about them with someone we can trust?
How can we overcome our fears?
Why do you think Koda’s feelings are hurt?
What could Nita and Kenai have done to prevent Koda from feeling that way?
Has someone ever made you feel left out? What happened?
When you feel left out and alone, what can you do about it?
Did you notice any sacrifices being made in Brother Bear 2? What were they?
Why did Koda ask the spirits to turn Kenai into a human again?

Order Brother Bear 2 Today!

And don't forget about Brother Bear 1