The Bear
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Movie Reviews of The Bear
Movie Review: Thank you, Jean-Jacques Annaud, for a magical movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I saw this movie, I was a little jaded. I was a big, tough 27-year-old without children. Although I was intrigued by the beautiful scenery, I thought the sounds made by the baby bear were voiced by a human child. This was a turn-off for me because I was not yet a fan of human/animal voiceovers. I mentioned this to my husband and he told me that the sounds of the bear were actually made by the animal himself. When I heard that, I started looking at the picture with new interest.
As I mentioned before, the scenery is exquisite. It is set in British Columbia during the late 1800's. Tcheky Karyo and Jack Wallace do fine jobs as rough and ragged hunters. Tcheky Karyo, in particular, delivers a magnificent performance. Given his suitably-twangy accent, it is hard to believe that he hails from France. The men serve as the perfect foils to the noble bears who are the real stars of the movie.
The movie opens with a mother bear and her cub foraging for honey. When the mother dies, the heartbroken orphan must travel the countryside alone. He fills his days with frolicking escapades, but his nights are fraught with horrid dreams. He continues alone until he meets a large male bear who has been wounded by the hunter's gun. He follows the understandably-cranky bear in spite of his best attempts to scare the youngster. His tenacity is rewarded when the large bear stops to soothe his wounds in a muddy pond. From then on, the two travel together.
The little bear learns many things about life from the older bruin. He teaches him how to fish, how to hunt, and how to impress a prospective mate. All the while, however, the human hunters are plotting their revenge against the older bear for destroying their camp. After a harrowing scene with the hunting dogs, the little bear is captured and taken back to camp. The older bear does not forsake his little one, however. He keeps continual watch over the camp, until the two hunters divide in an attempt to trap the big bear. When the bear isolates the younger hunter, we learn a beautiful lesson about the nobility of nature. Soon the two bears are reunited and take to the caves to hibernate during the winter snows. This poignant scene is beautifully set to the lovely theme of "June" by Tchaikovsky. I could not think of a more perfect way to end a perfect film. I would recommend this gem to anyone. Don't miss it!
Movie Review: A Stunningly Beautiful Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I first watched this film many years ago and loved it then. However, I had almost forgotten about it until I saw an excerpt on an e-mail ("The Cougar"). I purchased the DVD and was entranced by my second acquaintance--and I, for one, was thankful it was in full screen because widescreen is so constricted on my TV that it is almost impossible to watch. I expect that the scenery does shine even more in widescreen that works but it's plenty beautiful for me as is.
The story of the orphaned bear cub and his big Kodiak protector is one of the most poignant I've ever seen and I didn't detect anything phony about it. I was truly amazed at the way the director managed the animals and the glorious scenic shoots, especially after seeing the two special semi-documentaries in the DVD's special features. They should cure anyone who thinks the animal sounds aren't real or otherwise distrusts the legitimate nature of the film.
I do agree that this is not a film for young children or particularly sensitive ones as there is a considerable amount of violence (rock slide killing the mother bear; shooting of Bart; bloody fight with the dogs; killing of the deer))fairly early in the story and the menacing presence of the hunters is always hanging over the bears.
This is clearly a pro-animal film but I do not think it portrays the hunters in a totally unfavorable light. They are seen as rough men but not without a certain sense of justice and fair play, since Bart is spared in return for sparing one of the hunters. And if that seems a bit preposterous to the cynics in the crowd, please just try to go with the flow here.
However, after all is said and done, the star of this film is Youk, the cub, who is completely endearing throughout. And he is followed closely by Bart, his big friend, a really astonishing performer. All in all, a truly dazzling film--beautiful, funny in parts, engrossing and ultimately satisfying. But certainly not for Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey fans, who would definitely be in the wrong Blockbuster section here.
Movie Review: A gem as rare as the animals themselves
Summary: 5 Stars
Jean Jacque Annund has a rare gift, he seems to be able to almost communicate to the animals he films exactly what he wants them to do, and the animals do it. Not only do they do it, but also they do it well. The bear is Annund's animal adventure prior to Two Brothers, and it's an even more daring endeavor than the enduring and tragic tale of Kumal and Sangah. The reason its so daring is because there is less than ten minutes of human dialogue in the entire film. Despite the lack of human dialogue there's still a lot about this film that makes it enjoyable, watching animals do what they do, and communicate with each other and others in their environment. While some parents may express concern over the "violence" of this film I must stress that the movie isn't as violent as it is sadly realistic. The sad thing that parents need to realize is that people DO this sort of thing to the animals, and it needs to stop. That's the whole point of this film. We have our place in the world, and we need to stop encroaching on theirs. It's a message as necessary to children as the message of Schindler's List. They need to see this while they still have a heart to care. The Bear was the film that got me into Animal Welfare Activism. And even now I am a proud supporter of the World Wildlife Federation and the Save the Tiger Fund with what time and money I can give. We need more activists, more people that care. And the best way to do it is to let the kids see this film and be exposed to the reality of human ignorance, and cruelty, and the mindless slaughter of innocent animals for petty sport. Aside from that this film shines on many artistic levels. It's a true classic for animal lovers, and I love it. This film does for animals what Star Wars did for special effects. It's truly a gem as rare as the animal itself.Movie Review: An extraordinary film
Summary: 5 Stars
Almost all fictional films about animals have either cuteness or unreality or both. Documentaries are often engrossing, but always in the third person--we watch as the outside, disinterested observer.This amazing film provides an almost unbelievable window into the lives of the two bears, from their perspective, with but or two false steps. There are many small, non-dramatic moments that cumulatively fill the canvas. The attention to detail is extraordinary.
With hardly any dialogue, only the spare speech of the hunters, the film yet moves forward, sometimes dramatically, more often over over a small moment. In many instances we do not see the entire animal or person, but only enough so that the essence of whatever is occurring is so clear and immediate. The film makers' framing, shot selection, and editing is so completely convincing.
With awe inspiring scenery that takes away the breath (and pangs over missing the deeply felt emotion that backcountry beauty has provided me) and a view of animals being animals in nature.
Yes, there is some sentimentality. But it is little compared to most other fictional films, and I no longer think of animals in the wilderness as I did before.
The Bear belongs up there. No, not in the pantheon, but significantly higher in the firmament than most. Perhaps an extraordinary claim, but this is an extraordinary film.
Movie Review: GRABS YOUR EMOTION FROM THE OPENING SCENES
Summary: 5 Stars
A cub losses in a big way and is forced to fend for himself at a tender age. Life in the mountains (British Columbia) in 1885 is rough for even the animals. He will face life or death situations all along the way. He will find love, tenderness, fear, hatred, compassion, and so much more you will forget the star of the DVD is an animal. It is absolutely amazing what can be done with trained animals. This looks like footage from the wild.
I have to agree with previous viewers on the lack of wide screen vistas. Many times I pondered what was being missed as the wider view was narrowed for the adaptation to a TV screen. The setting is stunning, none the less. It's hard to only watch this once. One time for the story, then an immediate replay just to look at the background scenery.
Some bloody animal scenes, and bears attacking honey bees as well as salmon, but other than that, this is one for the entire family. You'll be inspired to animal love, but I recommend a kitty, not a fluffy bear.
Lots of bonus making this complete DVD package a value. And remember, used is always a good option, just like rentals. But I'm glad I own this. It was a Christmas gift, and well enjoyed.