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by R.J. Carter Published: August 30, 2006
So when "Brother Bear" hit the screens, there were probably animators already at work on the preliminary pencils for the sequel while the first matinee was just wrapping up. "Brother Bear 2" does not surpass the original. Nor does it equal it. However, it is nonetheless a fine follow-up story. Kenai (Patrick Dempsey) -- who chose to remain a bear at the end of the film -- is still caring for his adopted cub brother, Koda (Jeremy Suarez). It's springtime, when bears do it, bees do it, and birdies in the trees do it... and moose try their darnedest. Yes, the McKenzie Moose, Rutt (Rick Moranis) and Tuke (Dave Thomas) are also back, and this time they're not alone. They've set their sights on a cute pair of moosettes (played by SCTV alums Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara), but every romantic angle they try comes out wrong. But that's really not important to the story. The story is about Kenai's childhood friend, Nita (Mandy Moore). In a flashback sequence, we see the young Kenai playing with Nita, who falls through the ice and into the river. Kenai rescues her, and gives her an amulet he made. They're only children, but this act made a strong bond between them. Stronger even than Nita knew -- for she has left thoughts of Kenai behind and is ready to marry another man. But as the wedding is about to finish, a great rock tumbles down the mountain, cracking the earth between Nita and her would-be husband. Not the most auspicious sign, for those who believe in them (and these people do!) The local shaman (or sha-woman, as she prefers, declaring that "'Wise' and 'man' don't even belong in the same sentence!"), played by Wanda Sykes, consults the spirits, and says the gods won't let her marry because her soul is already bonded to another. They both know that Kenai is a bear now, so the wise woman gives Nita the gift of animal-speak, allowing Nita to go off in search of Kenai. She has three days to find Kenai, return to the site where he gave her the amulet, and burn the amulet with him on the equinox in order to break the bond so she can be free.
There are a fair number of sentimental moments: Nita has been afraid of the water since the childhood incident, and learns to conquer it with Kenai's help; and Kenai's commitment to Koda is another heart-cockle warming scene that tips the scales of sentiment dangerously toward schmaltz. But the film is well balanced by the comedy, not all of which is attributable to the McKenzie Moose. Long-time Disney fans will certainly flash on "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" when Kenai gets himself stuck in a beaver dam (a scene that allows Nita to lose the much needed amulet to a thieving band of racoons.) And there's excitement to be had as well. With the approaching thaw, much of the icecaps are letting loose, and Nita and Koda are nearly killed when an avalanche buries them. Which is nothing compared to what happens to Kenai during the climax of this film (which I will not be spoiling, but which is predictable by the film's mid-point.) Featuring a rousing soundtrack composed and performed by Melissa Etheridge, "Brother Bear 2" would have been a disappointing theatrical release, but will find many a welcoming home on DVD. The animation is not quite up to the original, but pretty darned close, and the story is one that will captivate younger and older audiences alike. There are a pair of bonus features on this release, the first being a "Music & More" segment titled "Behind the Music of 'Brother Bear 2'". It's an eight-minute segment featuring Melissa Etheridge and the producers. Etheridge talks about finding inspiration from watching the pencil drawings being made, and how she went about composing the first song she did, "It Will Be Me", shooting for feelings that kids could understand in the music. The other feature falls under the "Games & Activities" category. "Trample Off, Eh" is a trivia quiz hosted by Rutt and Tuke, where you answer questions under the headings "Story", "Spring Fever", and "Nature's Call". But you don't get to pick your category -- a falling pinecone bounces down a random path until it land on one of the three. For each right answer, you get a moose chip (not that kind!). You have to collect enough moose chips for Rutt and Tuke to afford the best seats to take the moosettes to the northern lights show. Audio can be set to English, English DTS, French or Spanish, with optional subtitles in English only. Previews on this disc include "The Little Mermaid", "The Wild", "The Fox and the Hound 2", and "Airbuddies". Additionally selectable sneak peeks include Twitches, "Cars", "Cinderella III", "Disney Princess Enchanted Tales", and Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. |
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