This Gem Is Disney's Most Misunderstood Movie That Got Only 38% on RT – It Deserves All 100%

Years after its premiere, Brother Bear is far less well-remembered than other animated projects of the 2000s. Here, we set the record straight by recalling one of Disney's most heartbreaking and underrated animated films, which is all about friendship, compassion and the power of love.

Brother Bear celebrates the ineffable connection between all living things, teaching us to see the world through the eyes of others and reminding us that family isn't always about blood.

What Is 'Brother Bear' About?

This story is set in North America before the arrival of the white conquerors. After a powerful chief dies fighting a bear, his youngest son, Kenai, driven by vengeance, decides to avenge his death alone.

However, after killing the bear, the powers of the forest magically transform Kenai into a bear himself. Hoping to regain his human form, Kenai sets out for Spirit Mountain.

En route, he meets a talkative bear cub named Koda who has lost his mother and is desperate for companionship. Meanwhile, Kenai's older brother and the tribe's best hunters plan to exterminate all the bears in the area – and that includes Kenai.

'Brother Bear' Is Unjustly Forgotten, but Here's Why It's Worth Rewatching

Brother Bear was released during a transitional period in Disney animation, marking the end of the 1990s renaissance and the beginning of the computer age. The film was often overlooked for its apparent simplicity and lack of big-name voice talent, but it is precisely this simplicity that gives it its power.

Of all the animals in the Nordic tradition, the bear is the most human-like, which is why many cultures have legends about people turning into bears.

Drawing inspiration from these myths, the movie captures the spirit of the Paleolithic era remarkably well, from its landscapes to its practices of vengeance and its relationship with nature spirits.

Unlike many stereotypical depictions of indigenous peoples in animation, Brother Bear treats its characters with respect and sincerity.

'Brother Bear' Is a Story About Friendship, Compassion and the Journey to Forgiveness

The central theme of Brother Bear is transformation, both physical and spiritual. Kenai begins his journey as a disillusioned young man who hates bears and believes that love is a sign of weakness.

His totem, the bear, which symbolises love, seems a disappointment at first. However, after undergoing a transformation and experiencing loss, he meets Koda and realises that true strength lies in forgiveness and caring for others, not in revenge.

The relationship between Kenai, a human transformed into a bear, and Koda, a bear cub who lost his mother, becomes the heart of the movie: they learn to trust each other and become a true family.

Brother Bear is a profound and touching story with beautiful visuals about how love transcends species, how compassion can heal any wound and how, sometimes, you need to become someone else to find yourself.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Brother Bear'?

• Brother Bear has 38% from critics and 66% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.9/10.

• On Letterboxd, Brother Bear scored 3.8/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Brother Bear'?

Brother Bear is available to stream on Disney+.