Brother Bear 2 Film Review

Brother Bear 2

This heartwarming sequel manifests true love at its core. Some new characters join the cast, bringing life to the story. Brother Bear 2 is one movie you won’t want to miss.

Positive Elements: Kenai and Koda stick together through thick and thin. They help each other in dangerous times and never leave each other. Sure, Kenai puts Koda on the sidelines for a time, but makes it clear he will never leave Koda on his own. “You’re my brother, “ Kenai tells Koda.

When Nita enters the picture, it complicates things. Kenai knew her from his childhood when he was a human. Though the two initially disagree, they put aside their differences during the journey. Nita learns to rely on Kenai for help instead of doing everything herself. Kenai helps Nita overcome her fear of water.

Nita’s father cares for her and is very supportive. In return, Nita is very honest with him. It’s a refreshing point, since many Disney films don’t portray parents in a positive light. (Spoiler Warning): Nita’s father supports her decision when she decides to be transformed into a bear. “I will love you, no matter what you choose,” he says.

Viewers learn about true love, how it is more than skin deep. Rutt and Tuke find true mates who love them for more than just their looks. Nita defends Kenai and rushes to his aid. Koda encourages Kenai to tell Nita he loves her.

Spiritual Content: Like the first movie, mucky spirituality runs abound. The lights change winter into spring, spirits speak to a wise woman, and cast a spell for Nita to understand Kenai. Some song lyrics reference spirits. (Spoiler Warning): These same lights transform Nita into a bear.

Sensual Content: As mentioned, Nita and Kenai are childhood friends. They rekindle their friendship during the journey, which deepens into something more. Nita and Kenai flirt several times, plus kiss near the end. Rutt and Tuke do their best to impress two moosetes during the film, sometimes with no success. Nita is engaged to Atka at the film’s beginning. Tug tells Kenai “You can’t run from love.”

Violence: Several perilous moments could be disturbing to sensitive viewers. For instance, Nita and Koda cause an avalanche when the ice cracks above them. Kenai has to dig them both out. Mistaking Nita for a hunter, Kenai growls at and swipes her weapon away, then picks her up by her jacket. As a kid, Nita almost drowns by falling through the ice before being rescued by Kenai.

At Nita’s wedding ceremony, the spirits cause a crack in the earth. Atka attacks Kenai and Koda, pushing the former into a shallow pond and slicing his fur, resulting in a huge wound. Nita breaks a beaver dam which causes her amulet to float away.

Language: None.

Drugs/Alcohol: Kenai and Koda exchange some banter about being the first bears to eat berries at Crowberry Ridge.

Other Negative Elements: In order to help Rutt and Tuke woo the moosetes, Kenai stages a fake fight against them. This plan goes completely wrong and could encourage viewers to emulate the same behavior. Rutt and Tuke lather excrement onto themselves, thinking its mud. One of them says “I thought I was going to wet my hooves.”

Conclusion: Brother Bear 2 is a rare sequel that impresses viewers who loved the original. It has some great songs, a talented voice cast, and vibrant animation. I must admit, this movie surprised me a lot by adding some elements into the mix.

Some negative elements deserve pause before viewing this movie. The mucky spirituality is present as in the first film. The perilous scenes are somewhat intense and may scare sensitive viewers. Yep, in a way, this sequel brings in a few more additions that need consideration.

All those aside, Brother Bear 2 has great messages about honesty, true love and acceptance. It teaches viewers that being yourself is a whole lot better than living a double life. As for the true love aspect, this film somewhat echoes 1 Corinthians 13. We also notice it between Kenai and Nita as each one cares for one another.

Brother Bear 2 is not without some problems. But those minor flaws aren’t enough to ruin this sweet, emotional sequel.