Brother Bear (2003)

Best children's DVD!

Loved it. My family is from Alaska and I bought them all a copy, because it pulls "real" Alaskan attributes into the movie. Entertaining for adults and educational for children without them even knowing it. WOW! June 4, 2008

Especially good for open-minded folks

This is a good movie for kids, even manages to throw in a bit of exposure to prehistoric culture and ancient shaman/animal-based religion. Not bad for a Disney wannabe. :) I especially enjoyed the moose characters (played Canuck-style by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis), though even their abundant character didn't quite make up for the lack of it from some of the other characters. Overall a nice movie and good for driving home a few ideas about the golden rule and other cultures. February 13, 2008

Good Story

Three brothers of an indigenous tribe get into some trouble while out on a hunt. A bear is provoked by the youngest brother which in turn gets his oldest brother killed while trying to save his younger brothers from attack. Though the middle brother takes no action against the bear at first, the younger brother pursues the bear and kills him. The consequence is that he is transformed by the spirits into a bear himself. Assuming the bear has also killed his younger brother, the middle brother attempts to hunt down this bear which now he does not know that it is in fact his own younger brother. The brother turned bear must now find a way to contact the spirits and let his older brother know who he is. Along his path he is joined by a lost bear cub and finds a few other friends along the way.

This story is an example of teaching right from wrong and learning about how a shaman in an indigenous tribe provides the path to enlightenment. The shaman shows "brother bear" the way to love through a long sequence of events. I find that the theme is light enough in nature and fairly universal in a religious aspect that it should not offend anyone based on their beliefs. The movie represents more of a primal religion if anything. It shows us examples of love, compassion, and respect for the land and animals in which with we co-exist. Those things exist in most modern religions today. So I would say that this movie covers some universal beliefs and values. So buy it or rent it and see for yourself. January 28, 2008

Brother Bear Review

Brother Bear


Plot Summary:

The story of Brother Bear takes place long ago. This story involves three native brothers, Kenai, Denahi and Sitka. As youths, the three brothers were taught the "world was magical" and the source of this magic was the "ever changing lights dancing across the sky". It was explained to them by the shaman lady, Tanana, of their village that these lights were the spirits of the ancestors and that they "had the power to make changes in life". The story begins as the youngest of the three brothers, Kenai, is the candidate of a manhood ceremony. In order to become a man, Kenai' is to be given a totem which will guide him through his life. This totem is revealed to Tanana by the Great Spirits ("changing lights dancing across the sky") and Kenai is given a bear totem; the Bear of Love.

As the story goes on, after a bear takes the life of the oldest brother, Sika, Kenai kills the bear in revenge. Instantly, Kenai is transformed into a bear by the Great Spirits. Now the middle brother, Denahi, is on the hunt to avenge his brother's Kenai death, unaware if he is successful he would be killing his own brother. Brother hunts brother and Kenai's only hope for survival is to befriend his own worst enemy, a bear cub named Koda. Koda was orphaned after Kenai killed his mother. Throughout the rest of the story Koda teaches Kenai the true meaning of brotherhood as they both travel to the mountain where the "light touches the earth".



How Brother Bear Relates to World Relgion:

Many symbolisms and traditions seen in Brother Bear can also be seen throughout world religions. The movie begins with the middle brother, Denahi, sharing the story of the three brothers with a new generation. This is a common theme amongst indigenous societies, where cultures, history and lifeways are shared orally and are passed from generation to generation (Fisher 49).

In many indigenous religions, one undergoes a rite of passage ritual when going from childhood to adulthood (Fisher 51). At the beginning of Brother Bear, Kenai participates in a manhood ceremony in which he is given a symbol of how he must live his life. In this ceremony, villagers are dressed up like animals and are seen dancing and drumming in a circle. In some religions this helps them to personify the spirit they are representing, while in a circle which represents their unity (Fisher 38, 51).

In Brother Bear, as in many religions there is a land mass (moutain top) which is considered sacred. It is on this mountain, where "the lights touch the earth", that the shaman lady, Tanana, of the village goes to communicate with the Great Spirits. The Great Spirits are the ancestors who have departed. After being forwarned by his brother, Denahi not to upset the spirits, Kenai is transformed into a bear. This goes along with the religious theme that the ancestral spirtis have the power to punish (Fisher 41). Tanana is a spiritual specialist who acts as an intermediate between the spirits and living beings. In the movie we see her offer up Sitka's spirit to the Great Spirit after he dies. She is also able to communicate with Kenai both as a human and Kenai as a bear.

There are many other instances throughout this movie in which one can align to world religions. This movie served as a means to not only entertain but also to educate.




Work Cited


Fisher, Mary. Living Religions. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008.

Brother Bear. Blaise, Aaron, Walker, Robert, dir. Williams, Chuck, prod. Murphy, Tab, Cameron, Lorne, Hoselton, David, Bencich, Steve, Friedman, Ron, writ. DVD. Walt Disney Pictures, 2003.




January 28, 2008

Fascinating Movie

This is a fascinating movie with the right mix of comedy and drama along with teaching good morals and a little history about indigenous religions. It starts off with three brothers, the youngest, Kenai, is to receive his token. He is still very immature and his actions certainly reflect that. He receives his token from the shaman, which happens to be the bear of love. He is disappointed with his token since he believes bears are mean animals and love isn't manly. His brothers then discover that Kenai failed with his duties and let the bear get their fish. Kenai goes to find the basket of fish and runs into the bear. He instigates the bear and his brothers catch up to help. The oldest brother ends up taking his own life to save them. Kenai blames the bear once again and goes to hunt it down for revenge. He upsets the spirits by killing the bear and is then transformed into the bear. Once the other brother catches up to Kenai, he only sees the bear and blames the bear on Kenai's death. The shaman instructs Kenai to go to where the lights touch the earth to seek forgiveness. Lost and confused, he runs into a bear cub, Koda, who has lost his mom. He thinks Koda is a pain but agrees to help him find her. Kenai discovers that Koda knows the way to where the lights touch the earth so they embark on the journey together. In the meantime, Kenai's brother keeps following seeking revenge. Brief comic relief is also provided through the animals along the way. Koda and Kenai begin to form a friendship and bond together. Then they discover that Koda's mom isn't lost but that Kenai killed her and has taken over her body. Koda eventually learns forgiveness and both have learned important life lessons. Once Kenai reaches the place where the lights touch the earth he runs into his other brother again. The spirit brother intervenes and transforms Kenai back to himself. However, Kenai realizes he needs to raise and watch after Koda. His brothers respect his decision and he is returned to being a bear.

In addition to the plot of the story, it also gives us a better appreciation and understanding of American Indians and their indigenous religions. This story was based on Kenai's vision quest. It teaches us how American Indians are more in touch with their natural environment and their beliefs reflect that. The Indians believe they are equal to the animals, respect their environment, and believe in the circle of life. The shaman provides guidance and acts as an intermediary for the tribe. They use the animal tokens as guidance during the vision quest. The sacred lights provide guidance while allowing them closeness with the spirits, similarly to other indigenous religions. Therefore, there is a lot of interaction with the spirit world as well. January 24, 2008

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