Brother Bear is set in the Great American Northwest many many moons ago. The main character in Brother Bear is a boy named Kenai (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix) who is just waiting for his chance to prove he's a man to his older brothers. When a tragic accident occurs that that takes the life of his brothers, the Great Spirits of the Sky (The Northern Lights) turn him into a bear - the very animal Kenai hates with a passion! In order to transform himself back into a human, he must undertake an epic journey. Along the way he learns more about himself and the many different types of wildlife in the world, including an orphaned bear cub named Koda, and a couple of very funny moose (voiced by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, also known as Bob and Doug MacKenzie). "Take off, eh . . . you're blowin' the movie!"

There is a middle demographic that is going to miss the fun of this film. The people who too old to be entertained by the simple animated tale and those who are too young to remember SCTV and The Great White North (the inspiration for Wayne's World). If you couldn't do an impression of the MacKenzie Brothers in the early 80's it was as bad as not being able to do Bill Murray's Carl Spackler. And having them back calling each other hoofers instead of hosers and telling each other to "Trample Off" instead of "Take Off." is half of the fun this film offers. This is one that I think I enjoyed more than my youngsters. It's not Finding Nemo good, but it deserved to be nominated beside it.

As in Tarzan Phil Collins provides an a soundtrack that enhances rather than obtrudes and the message, though a bit more than most 5 and 6 year olds might be able to grasp is an interesting one and somewhat unexpected. Brother Bear isn't as rich as some of it's animated predecessors but as one of the final hand-drawns it's one for the ages.