Brother Bear

As regular, long-time readers of these writings may know I am om a singular quest, a crusade. I am, simply, in search of a good story.

Not a perfect story, not an ideal story. A good story.

Since I first began this particular journey I have, from time to time, come upon a good story. The rest of the time, however, well--you should just be thankful I suffered for your sins, because if I hadn't there would be a lot of very cranky people in the world.

A lot.

Since I took those first steps that brought me to where I am I have had to experience some of the thickest and dumbest people ever. These are people who ask me what I want in a film or movie, and I tell them: A good story.

And they look at me, dumbfounded.

How can anyone possibly not understand this? Tell me a good story and I am yours. For ever and ever.

But I digress.

As I noted previously now and then I come upon a good story and I am compelled to share it with anyone and everyone I can.

Less than a week ago--as I write this--I went to see a movie that I had no hopes or expectations for. There are reasons for my prejudice, of course, but they are not relevant here.

What is important here is that not only did this movie disprove my concerns and doubts but it was, simply, a good movie.

"Brother Bear" be thy name.

All right: Let's get the obvious out of the way: Yes, it is mystical and New Age and soap-soft, and all of this could make a person slip into a sugar coma being so sweet and all, but try and not let this get to you. Instead focus on the story, the characters, the animations. Wonderful.

So wonderful.

The story of "Brother Bear" begins in a Native American tribe in the Pacific Northwest, thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of years ago. There are three brothers: Older brother Sitka (voiced by D.B.Sweeny), middle brother Denahi (Jason Raize), and the problem youngest, Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix). Each has a totem about his neck, which represents the animal spirit he is identified with. Sitka: An eagle, Denahi, a wolf, and Kenai, a bear.

Kenai, as you might guess, is of the opinion he got the short end of this particular deal, especially when he learns the bear represents the quality, the embodiment of love. Hey, he is all but a kid, so what's to be expected of him?

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