Brother Bear (2003)

20140213:
Yay! Brother Bear is now available on Netflix. This made me happy, because I had yet to see the film.

Tanana (voiced by Joan Copeland) hushes Kenai (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix)

With a good, solid story, Brother Bear is one of those Disney movies where there is a focus on the protagonist's character as it changes from being (roughly) selfish to (roughly) self-sacrificing. Other movies would include Hercules (1997), The Lion King (1994), and Pinocchio (1940).

In addition, Brother Bear carries a heavier tone throughout the movie than most other Disney movies I've seen. On the other hand, it isn't a dark movie like The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996).

Koda (voiced by Jeremy Suarez) and Kenai

In particular, the movie has one of the saddest Disney songs I have ever heard: "No Way Out (Theme from Brother Bear)" - Phil Collins. However, the song is not sad the entire way through and ends on a happy, positive note. A copy of the lyrics is included at the bottom of the post.

Overall, I don't find the movie as memorable as some other Disney films, and yet I could say I enjoyed watching it. If you either liked Disney's Hercules (1997) or Phil Collin's music in Disney's Tarzan (1999), then I easily suggest you watch Brother Bear.

Of course, you should still consider watching Brother Bear regardless, because it can be quite magical and heartwarming.

Rutt and Tuke (voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, respectively)

[20140328]

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Instant Comments:
"Never... try to milk a caribou."
"Your totem is... love!" (the bear of love)
"Who wants to trade?" "There is no trading!"
Hehe. There's a couple of left-handed people on the wall.
So far, the movie is quite intense and doesn't seem like little kids would enjoy it. It is, however, magical.

Enjoying the wind.

Ha. The moose are Canadian.
Hahaha. "Well you think of it yet." [Kinai is stuck in the trap] "Well, no, but its driving me nuts, eh."
Haha. "Just want to do dog facing forward." (yoga position)
Aw, I'd hate to hear the end of the kid's story. We'll see. [It gets told at the one hour mark.]
Haha. "Then I'll sing!" That's a cute and natural segue into a Disney song.
Also, yay for Phil Collins!

A silly pair of ram.

"So you don't think he'll follow those?" Haha. Solid bear tracks.
"If its white, it's alright. If it's yellow or green, it's not clean!"
Hahaha. Their "I spy" game is funny.
"Those monsters are real scary... Especially with those sticks."
Ha. Arguing with their echoes.
Haha. The seagulls.

Running from danger.

Oh. Disneyland includes the song "Welcome" in the Disneyland parades, but I just thought it was an original song. It turns out that the song comes from this movie.

Welcome to our family time.
Welcome to our happy to be time.
This is the festival,
ya know the best of all,
we're here to share it all.

Kenai's brother Denahi, with hatred in his heart, chases after Kenai.

Hahaha. "Quit telling everyone I'm dead!" "Sometimes I can still hear his voice."
"Get a cave!"
Huh. I would say "No Way Out" must be one of the few (really) sad Disney songs out there. The only other one I can think of at the moment are "One Jump Ahead (Reprise)" from Aladdin [Prior to thinking of "One Jump Ahead (Reprise)" I considered "Let It Go" from Frozen, but that's quite upbeat and arguably a happy song.]
Oh, but speaking of Frozen, the song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" is pretty sad.

Kenai panics and screams when he finds himself among a
group of bears (forgetting that he himself is a bear)

Doing a Google search, I came up with the following sad songs found in films by Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Sad Disney Songs:
Tier I (almost always listed): "When She Loved Me" (Toy Story 2), "Baby Mine" (Dumbo), "Goodbye May Seem Forever" (The Fox and the Hound), "No Way Out" (Brother Bear)
Tier II (often listed): "God Help the Outcasts" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), "Someone's Waiting for You" (The Rescuers)
Tier III (sometimes listed): "Reflection" (Mulan), "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again?" (Home on the Range), "If I Never Knew You" (Pocahontas), "One Jump Ahead (Reprise)" (Aladdin)
Tier IV (occasionally listed): "The Ellie Badge" (UP), "I Will Go Sailing No More" (Toy Story), "Out There" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Tier V (honorable mention): "Aloha 'Oe" (Lilo & Stitch), "Not in Nottingham" (Robin Hood), "Almost There (Reprise)" (Princess & The Frog)

Credits:
Hahahaha. That deranged bear. So funny.
After the credits roll, we see Koda say that no fish are harmed in the making of this film. Comically, a fish starts yelling for help as another bear is chasing him back and forth across the screen. Koda then begins prompting the camera person to stop filming.

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Watched 20140213 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Theatrical Widescreen Version)*
*Note that while the movie is presented in the theatrical widescreen version, the full widescreen doesn't kick in until about twenty-four minutes into the film.
Brother Bear (2003) Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker. 85 min

Relevant Links:
Brother Bear (IMDb.com)
Brother Bear (Wikipedia.org)
Brother Bear (RottenTomatoes.com)

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Lyrics to "No Way Out (Theme from Brother Bear)" - Phil Collins:

Everywhere I turn, I hurt someone
But there's nothing I can say to change the things I've done
Of all the things I hid from you, I cannot hide the shame
And I pray someone, something will come to take away the pain

There's no way out of this dark place
No hope, no future
I know I can't be free and I can't see another way
I can't face another day

Tell me where, did I go wrong
Everyone I loved, they're all gone
I'd do everything so differently but I can't turn back the time
There's no shelter from the storm inside of me

There's no way out of this dark place
No hope, no future
I know I can't be free and I can't see another way
I can't face another day

Kenai tells his side of the story to Koda.

I can't believe the words I hear
It's like an answer to a prayer
When I look around I see
This place, this time, this friend of mine

I know it's hard but you found somehow
To look into your heart and to forgive me now
You've given me the strength to see just where my journey ends
You've given me the strength to carry on

I see the path from this dark place, I see my future
Your forgiveness has set me free
Oh and I can see another way
I can face another day!

I see the path (I can see the path)
I see the future
I see the path from this dark place
I see my future

I see the path (I can see the path)
I see the future
I see the path from...