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Brother Bear 2
Brother Bear 2
Brother Bear 2
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Brother Bear 2
DVD cover
Directed byBen Gluck
Written byRich Burns
Produced byCarolyn Bates
Jim Ballantine
Starring
Music by
Production
company
Distributed byWalt Disney Home Entertainment[a]
Release date
  • August 29, 2006 (2006-08-29)
Running time
73 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States[1]
LanguageEnglish

Brother Bear 2 is a 2006 American animated direct-to-video musical comedy film and the sequel to Disney Animation's 2003 film Brother Bear. Melissa Etheridge contributed three songs to the film. In the film, the adventures of bear brothers Kenai and Koda continue. While the first film dealt with Kenai's relationship with Koda, this one focuses more on his bond with a young human from his past, Nita. It was released on August 29, 2006.

Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and Michael Clarke Duncan reprised their roles, with Patrick Dempsey replacing Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai. As heard in the first trailer, Jason Marsden was initially cast as Kenai before being replaced by Dempsey. The end credits still note Marsden as one of the additional voices.[2] Jason Raize, the voice of Denahi in the first film, had died in 2004, and his character therefore does not appear in the film.[3]

Producer Jim Ballantine was removed from the project and replaced with Carolyn Bates.

Plot

[edit]

Several months after the events of the first film, Kenai, now a bear, is living happily with his foster brother Koda. Having just awoken from hibernation, the bears begin traveling to Crowberry Ridge for the first berries of the season. However, Kenai is plagued by visions of his childhood friend Nita, to whom he gave a special amulet many years ago after saving her from drowning. Nita, now grown up, is set to wed Atka, a man from a neighboring Inuit village. However, on the day of the wedding, the Spirits appear in the form of a storm that causes a fissure to open up in the ground between Nita and Atka, much to Nita's shock. Believing it to be a sign, Nita consults Innoko, the wisest shaman of the tribes. By communicating with the Spirits, Innoko reveals that the amulet that Kenai gave Nita all those years ago bonded her and Kenai together. The only way for Nita to sever the bond and be able to marry Atka is to find Kenai, go with him to Hokani Falls where he had given her the amulet, and burn it on the eve of the Equinox, thus returning the bond to the Spirits. Innoko grants Nita the ability to communicate with Kenai and other wildlife.

Eventually, Kenai and Koda meet up with Nita. At first, Kenai refuses to destroy the bond, but Nita tells him that the Spirits may turn him back into a human and send him to find her. Under pressure from Nita and Koda, who fears that he and Kenai could no longer be brothers if this happens, Kenai relents and the three make their way to Hokani Falls. As they spend more time together, Kenai and Nita rekindle their old friendship, much to Koda's chagrin. The three also run into Rutt and Tuke multiple times throughout their journey, and Nita helps them impress a pair of female Canadian moose. One night, Nita asks Kenai if he ever thought of being human again. When Kenai says that he has considered it, Koda hears this and races up a mountain, anxious that Kenai may leave him. Nita finds Koda hiding in a cave, but both are caught in an avalanche and are rescued by Kenai. Kenai castigates Koda for almost getting himself killed, but the two reconcile with Kenai assuring Koda that he will never leave him.

The trio eventually make it to Hokani Falls, where they burn the amulet. Without it, Nita can no longer communicate with Kenai or Koda, so she says goodbye. Seeing how miserable Kenai is and realizing that he loves Nita, Koda secretly asks his mother in the spirit world to turn Kenai back into a human so he can be happy. The next morning, Rutt and Tuke inform Kenai that Koda went to the village to retrieve Nita. Knowing that Koda will be killed, Kenai goes after him.

At the village, the tribes prepare for the wedding once again, but Nita, realizing her love for Kenai, tells her father Chilkoot that she cannot marry Atka. At that moment, Koda creates a major commotion in the village in order to get Nita's attention, while Kenai arrives to retrieve Koda. Rutt and Tuke rescue Koda from two of the villagers, while Atka fights with Kenai, throwing him off of a cliff and into shallow water. Nita breaks up with Atka, pushes him and tells him that Kenai was her best friend before she rushes to Kenai's side, where the two profess their love for each other. The Spirits arrive to change Kenai back into a human, allowing Nita to communicate with Kenai and Koda. Kenai tells Nita that he cannot become a human again and leave Koda, but Nita volunteers to have herself turned into a bear instead so she can be with him. With her father's blessing, the Spirits transform Nita into a bear. Kenai and Nita then get married, with the tribes, bears, Koda, Rutt, Tuke and their mates attending.

Voice cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was produced by Disneytoon Studios,[4] Disney Animation Australia[5] and Project Firefly, a start up animation company founded by former Disney Feature Animation Florida employees.[6]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10.[7]

Enthusiastic reviews included Kevin Carr of 7M Pictures, who wrote, "The kids will love Brother Bear 2, especially if they loved the first film. It has a good message and some decent scenes."[8] ReelTalk Movie Reviews said, "Although sequels -- even a few from Disney -- are often disappointing, this one is a keeper, mostly because of its charming story and extraordinary background music".[9] DVDTalk's Brian Orndorf said, "As money-grabbing animated product goes, Brother Bear 2 rests nicely on a lowered expectation level, and is hardly an offensive affront to the first film. The texture and polish is deeply missed, but the characters are so strong and engaging, it still entertains."[10] David Cornelius, also of DVDTalk, wrote, "The story fails to impress, but everything else adds up in all the right ways to make up for it. The makers of Brother Bear 2 break the curse of the Disney sequel and turn in a welcome effort."[11] Movie Metropolis said, "When you consider that Disney meant this production strictly for the home and it probably didn't cost nearly as much as the first film to make or market, it's actually a superior product...Brother Bear 2 may not be first-tier Disney filmmaking, but it is first-tier Disney animation, and that and the sweetness of the story line may be enough to keep even grown-ups entertained."[12]

Negative reviews opined the film's use of cliches and said the plot was subpar in comparison to its predecessor. David Nusair of Reel Film Reviews said, "There's little doubt that Brother Bear 2, for the most part, comes off as an affable yet entirely needless piece of work, as filmmaker Ben Gluck, working from Rich Burns' script, is generally unable to wholeheartedly capture and sustain the viewer's interest - with the ongoing emphasis on stand-alone segments (eg the central trio run afoul of several violent raccoons) ensuring that the movie is only sporadically engaging."[13]

Home media

[edit]

The film was released on direct-to-DVD and direct-to-VHS on August 29, 2006.

Soundtrack

[edit]
Brother Bear 2
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedAugust 15, 2006
GenrePop, rock, soundtrack
LabelWalt Disney Records

The soundtrack to Brother Bear 2 was released on August 15, 2006.[14]

All tracks are written by Melissa Etheridge.

No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Opening: Brother Bear 2" 0:34
2."Welcome to This Day"Melissa Etheridge2:40
3."The Dream" 2:08
4."Father and Daughter" 0:54
5."Nita Confesses Her Fear" 0:55
6."Feels Like Home"Melissa Etheridge & Josh Kelley3:30
7."It Will Be Me"Melissa Etheridge3:35
8."Koda's Wish to the Spirits" 1:38
9."I Love You Too" 2:42
10."Nita's Transformation" 1:23
11."Welcome to This Day (Reprise)"Melissa Etheridge & Josh Kelley1:33

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brother Bear 2

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brother Bear 2 is a 2006 American animated film produced by as a sequel to the 2003 feature . Directed by Ben Gluck and written by Rich Burns, the 73-minute film continues the story of Kenai, a young transformed into a , who now lives happily in the with his adoptive cub brother Koda. The plot centers on Kenai reuniting with his childhood friend Nita, a betrothed against her will, as they embark on a quest to the Mountain Where the Lights Touch the Earth to burn a ceremonial amulet and free her from the arrangement, all while navigating tensions with Koda's jealousy. The voice cast features as the adult Kenai (replacing from the original), as Nita, reprising his role as Koda, and supporting voices including and Dave Thomas as moose brothers Rutt and Tuke, as the village shaman Innoko, and as Nita's fiancé Atka. Released on DVD and by Walt Disney Home Entertainment on August 29, 2006, the film incorporates new original songs, including those written and performed by , alongside score by Dave Metzger, emphasizing themes of love, brotherhood, and self-discovery in a lush Alaskan wilderness setting. Critically, Brother Bear 2 received mixed reviews for its straightforward and quality compared to the original, though it was praised for its heartfelt moments and musical numbers; it holds a 6.1/10 rating on from over 22,000 users and grossed approximately $12 million in DVD sales during its first week. The sequel expands on the first film's exploration of between humans and nature, featuring vibrant visuals of aurora-lit skies and forest adventures, and remains available for streaming on Disney+.

Background and Development

Conception

Brother Bear 2 was developed as a sequel by , building on the commercial success of the 2003 original, which grossed over $250 million worldwide against a $46 million budget. The project drew inspiration from the first film's core themes of transformation and brotherhood, with the intent to introduce romantic elements and delve deeper into Kenai's personal growth as a . Ben Gluck was chosen to direct, overseeing the high-level vision.

Pre-production

The pre-production phase for Brother Bear 2 at focused on developing a that expanded the original film's themes of transformation and through a romantic narrative. The was written by Ben Gluck, Rich Burns, and Brian Pimental, introducing Nita as Kenai's childhood friend and love interest, which drove the plot involving a spiritual journey to burn a symbolic amulet. To maintain cultural authenticity, the creative team consulted with indigenous groups regarding and Native Alaskan traditions, particularly elements of spiritual bonds and animal symbolism, ensuring respectful depiction in the sequel's motifs like the amulet . This built upon the original film's approach to indigenous representation. The project was planned as a release, emphasizing cost efficiency for home entertainment distribution. Storyboarding then outlined key sequences, including the and the amulet-burning ceremony, to structure the adventure motif.

Production

Animation and design

Brother Bear 2 was produced through a collaboration between , Walt Disney Animation Australia, and Project Firefly Animation Studios, a startup founded by former Disney Florida animators who provided additional production services. The film employed traditional 2D hand-drawn animation techniques, enhanced by digital ink-and-paint processes using software for coloring and compositing. This approach allowed for some computer-generated elements to support complex scenes, while preserving the organic, painterly aesthetic of the original . New environments, including the bustling salmon run and detailed village settings, were designed to evoke the rugged beauty of Alaskan landscapes, extending the first film's naturalistic backdrop with vibrant, textured details in foliage, water flows, and rocky terrains. characters underwent redesigns to align with the predecessor, incorporating subtler facial animations and for heightened expressiveness during intimate and emotional moments, such as close interactions among the animal cast. Clocking in at a 73-minute runtime, the production emphasized fluid, dynamic in key sequences like transformations and group animal movements, prioritizing smooth motion and environmental integration to convey the story's themes of connection and change.

Casting and recording

The voice cast for Brother Bear 2 was selected to maintain continuity with the original while introducing performers suited to the sequel's themes of maturity and romance. was cast as the adult Kenai, replacing from the first film due to Phoenix's scheduling conflicts with other projects. Dempsey's portrayal provided a more mature tone, aligning with Kenai's development as a embracing his role in the community. Mandy Moore was chosen to voice Nita, Kenai's childhood friend who undergoes a transformation from human to bear; her casting emphasized a youthful energy that complemented Nita's emotional journey and vocal demands in both dialogue and songs. Recording sessions for the dialogue and songs took place at Walt Disney Studios in .

Story and Characters

Plot

Several months after the events of , Kenai and his adoptive brother Koda are enjoying life as bears in the forest, for berries and playing together after emerging from . Meanwhile, in her human village, Kenai's childhood friend Nita is preparing for her to Atka when a sign from the Great Spirits interrupts the ceremony. Believing it to be significant, Nita consults Innoko, the village shaman, who communicates with the spirits and reveals that Kenai and Nita share a spiritual bond created years earlier when Kenai gave her a carved amulet as a token of their ; this bond now prevents Nita from marrying, as the Great Spirits require her to return the amulet to its origin to sever the connection. Innoko grants Nita the temporary ability to communicate with animals, and Nita sets out to find Kenai for help. Reluctantly, Kenai agrees to join Nita on a journey to the Mountain Where the Lights Touch the Earth, known as Hokani Falls, while Koda tags along, feeling increasingly jealous of the attention Nita receives from his brother. As the trio travels through the wilderness, they encounter various obstacles that test their resolve and relationships. They cross a treacherous river, where Nita struggles with her human limitations and fear of water in , and befriend the bumbling brothers Rutt and Tuke, who provide and advice on romance during their escapades. Tensions rise when Koda's pranks and insecurities lead to mishaps, including an that buries Nita and Koda, forcing Kenai to them and highlighting the growing rift between the group. Along the way, Nita and Kenai rekindle their bond, sharing that reveal their deepening affection, while Koda grapples with the fear of losing his brother to his human past. Upon reaching Hokani Falls, the group performs a to burn the amulet under the aurora lights, successfully breaking the spiritual tie; as a result, Nita loses her ability to communicate with animals. Heartbroken and believing it best for everyone, Nita bids farewell and returns to her village to prepare for her marriage, but Koda, feeling abandoned, secretly wishes to the Great Spirits for Kenai to become again so he can be happy with Nita. The spirits grant the wish, transforming Kenai back into a ; torn between his love for Nita and loyalty to Koda, Kenai journeys to the village, where he confronts and defeats Atka in a fight but ultimately rejects returning to human life. In the climax, Kenai asks the spirits to restore him to bear form, emphasizing his unbreakable bond with Koda. Witnessing his sacrifice, Nita realizes her true love for Kenai transcends their different forms and requests the Great Spirits to transform her into a bear as well. The spirits agree, allowing Nita to join Kenai and Koda in the wild; the film resolves with a joyous wedding ceremony for Kenai and Nita among the bears, where Koda happily accepts Nita as part of their family, underscoring the theme that love can bridge divides between worlds.

Voice cast

The voice cast for Brother Bear 2 includes several returning performers from the 2003 original, ensuring continuity in character portrayals, alongside new voices that bring fresh dynamics to the story's ensemble of anthropomorphic animals and humans.
ActorCharacter
Kenai (adult bear form)
Nita (human and bear forms)
Koda (young bear cub)
Rutt (moose)
Dave ThomasTuke (moose)
Tug (bear)
Anda (bear)
Kata (bear)
Innoko (shaman)
Atka (human)
Notable among the cast is Jeremy Suarez's reprise of Koda, which maintains the character's energetic innocence from the first film, while Patrick Dempsey's casting as the adult Kenai adds a mature, relatable depth to the protagonist's voice.

Music

Score

The score for Brother Bear 2 was composed by Dave Metzger, a veteran composer, arranger, and orchestrator. Metzger's instrumental composition features orchestral arrangements that underscore the film's emotional depth and action, with cues including "Opening: Brother Bear 2" to establish the story's tone. The score supports moments like the characters' journey through the , enhancing themes of family and growth. The recording was handled by score recordist and mixer Kempster at Scoring Stage, focusing on rich, atmospheric sounds to evoke the Alaskan environment. These elements integrate seamlessly with sound effects depicting animal behaviors and natural immersion, creating a cohesive auditory experience for the animated sequences.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album for Brother Bear 2 was released on August 15, 2006, by on CD, featuring 11 tracks that blend original vocal songs with select score cues; a digital version became available later. The album highlights contributions from , who wrote and performed multiple original songs emphasizing themes of belonging and personal growth, including the opening track "Welcome to This Day," which sets an uplifting tone for the film's narrative. Other vocal tracks include "Feels Like Home," a cover performed by and , and "It Will Be Me," an original by Etheridge that underscores moments of reassurance and connection among the characters. In the film, vocal songs are integrated to heighten emotional sequences, such as "Tell Me," a performed by the voices of Nita () and Kenai (), which explores during a pivotal decision about change. The album closes with Etheridge's rendition of "These Voices," an original song that reinforces the story's focus on inner strength and community. Production for the vocal tracks involved with producer , who handled arrangements for Etheridge's contributions, ensuring they aligned with the film's heartfelt tone through targeted mixing. Score elements from Dave Metzger occasionally underscore these songs, providing subtle instrumental support without overpowering the lyrics.
No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1"Opening: Brother Bear 2"Dave Metzger0:34
2"Welcome to This Day"2:40
3"The Dream"Dave Metzger2:08
4"Father and Daughter"Dave Metzger0:54
5"Nita Confesses Her Fear"Dave Metzger0:55
6"Feels Like Home" & 3:30
7"It Will Be Me"2:20
8"Tell Me" & 3:25
9"Together We Are Stronger"Wendy F. & Jenny Dale3:04
10"These Voices"1:20
11"Welcome to This Day (Reprise)"Cast of Brother Bear 20:45

Release and Reception

Distribution and home media

Brother Bear 2 was released by Home Entertainment on DVD and on August 29, 2006. The DVD featured a 1.78:1 presentation, DTS 5.1 and 5.1 audio tracks in English, French, and Spanish, and English subtitles. As a production, the film bypassed theatrical distribution entirely. Internationally, the home media rollout began earlier in August 2006, with releases in markets such as and on August 17, followed by others including and on August 22. Dubbed versions were produced in multiple languages to support the global distribution, including , with a release in that dub on September 13, 2006. The initial release was accompanied by marketing tie-ins featuring toys and books that emphasized the film's themes of bear transformation and adventure. In 2019, Brother Bear 2 became available on the platform upon its launch on , expanding access to digital formats.

Critical reception

Brother Bear 2 received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. On the review aggregator , the film holds a 50% Tomatometer score based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10, reflecting divided opinions on its value as a . Several reviewers commended the voice performances, particularly those of as Kenai and as Nita, for providing emotional range that enhanced the central romance between the characters. The heartfelt moments in this romantic storyline were noted for adding charm and depth, emphasizing themes of enduring love and sacrifice. Additionally, supporting voices such as as Koda and the moose duo Rutt and Tuke (voiced by and Dave Thomas) were praised for their energy and comic timing, contributing to the film's family-friendly appeal. Critics frequently pointed out shortcomings in other areas, including animation that felt less vibrant and detailed than the original film, often attributed to its direct-to-video production constraints. The plot was widely described as predictable and formulaic, lacking the thematic depth and originality of its predecessor while relying on episodic adventures. Supporting characters, such as Nita's bickering aunts, were criticized as underdeveloped and serving primarily as filler, which diluted the overall narrative focus. In a representative example, DVD Talk's described the sequel as "not nearly as memorable as its predecessor" but still a "pleasant surprise" for its quality and heartfelt elements, deeming it a solid option for family viewing despite its generic storyline. Similarly, Reel Film Reviews' David Nusair called it an "affable yet entirely needless piece of work," acknowledging its inoffensive entertainment value but questioning its necessity.

Commercial performance

Brother Bear 2 achieved significant commercial success as a release, particularly in the home entertainment market. In its debut week ending September 3, , the film topped the national DVD sales chart in the United States, selling 672,181 units and generating $11,984,987 in revenue. By the end of , it had sold 1,772,382 DVD units domestically, ranking 62nd among the year's top-selling DVD titles overall and demonstrating strong performance within the children's animation category. The film's home video earnings were bolstered by its position as a sequel to the original Brother Bear, which had previously grossed over $250 million theatrically and generated substantial home media revenue. Estimated domestic video sales for Brother Bear 2 reached $34,921,089, reflecting robust initial demand and sustained interest through franchise familiarity. International markets further contributed to its overall financial impact, though specific figures for global home video sales remain limited in public records. Following its run, Brother Bear 2 transitioned to digital platforms, including its addition to Disney+ in November 2019, where it maintained steady viewership as part of the streaming service's animated catalog. This availability supported long-term accessibility and periodic spikes in streams tied to Disney's promotional efforts for family-oriented content.

References

  1. https://movies.disney.com/brother-bear-2
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/fullcredits/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/soundtrack/
  5. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brother_bear_2
  6. https://voyagela.com/interview/conversations-with-rich-burns/
  7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376182060_Indigenously_Doing_Disney_How_the_House_of_Mouse_portrays_indigenous_populations
  8. https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2005/08/22/story7.html
  9. https://jhmovie.fandom.com/wiki/Brother_Bear_2/Credits
  10. https://www.rotoscopers.com/2013/03/29/blu-ray-review-brother-bear-brother-bear-2/
  11. https://animatedviews.com/2013/brother-bear-2-movie-collection/
  12. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/brother-bear-2
  13. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Trivia/BrotherBear2
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/characters/nm0601553
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/plotsummary/
  16. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Brother-Bear-2/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/fullcredits
  18. https://www.hollywoodmusicworkshop.com/dave-metzger/
  19. https://music.apple.com/us/album/brother-bear-2-original-soundtrack/1443874708
  20. https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Bear-Score-Melissa-Etheridge/dp/B01LYCYVNT
  21. https://open.spotify.com/album/03m28bHwNIEkhT0btngF4F
  22. https://dvdizzy.com/brotherbear2.html
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465925/releaseinfo/
  24. https://international-dubbing.fandom.com/wiki/Brother_Bear_2
  25. https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Bear-Piano-Vocal-Guitar/dp/1423419855
  26. https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/11/17/everything-coming-to-disney-plus-list-movie-show-catalog-lineup
  27. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/23499/brother-bear-2/
  28. https://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/dvd-sales-chart/2006/09/03
  29. https://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/dvd-sales/2006
  30. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Brother-Bear-2
  31. https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-877827e9-2ac6-44b0-8444-155a2da3c505
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