Everybody's a critic - 'Brother Bear'

Four stars (out of four)

I was surprised that, as a 61-year-old male, I would really enjoy another Walt Disney cartoon feature -- but I did.

Brother Bear is a typical Disney cartoon fantasy feature about a prehistoric Eskimo tribe, mainly about one of the young boys who is soon to enter manhood. He lacks maturity and is drawn into the spiritual relationship of man and bear. Without letting out the story line, our hero lives as a bear to learn the feelings of nature and the effect man has on animals.

Usual to these later Disney films, it is somewhat preachy and is intended to give us a message that man needs to develop a balance in our treatment of animals. However, it is presented cleverly and with great humor. The two Canadian moose that travel along with our hero are immensely funny -- eh! Bring your children or grandchildren and be prepared to laugh. Stay for the credits.

- Chuck Stotz, executive director, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation

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Two and a half stars (out of four)

In my opinion, "Brother Bear" does not come close to "The Lion King." The movie has no songs that really stick with you as in "The Lion King."

The movie does have a great message, but to fully understand the message of brotherly love I think children have to be at least in fourth grade. As I observed the children around me under the age of 5, their parents were paying more attention than they were.

For children under age 10 or 11, "Brother Bear" does have some funny scenes between Koda the little bear and Brother Bear.

The Indian folklore is interesting, but I did not care too much for the beliefs presented by the Indian woman portrayed as the shaman.

"Brother Bear" is entertaining and does have a good message over all. As a teacher I would recommend this movie for students, even for older students.

- Debbie Williams, kindergarten teacher