Brother Bear

Young Kenai reacts to a personal tragedy with anger and seeks to prove himself to his older brothers. After an ancient spirit magic turns him into a bear, he can no longer live among humans and has to make his way through the wilderness alongside a talkative bear cub named Koda. The pair clash and bond as Kenai learns to see the world from another point of view, while comic relief comes from a pair of moose and other forest creatures. Kenai's doubts about honor, family and identity complicate his relationships, and pursuit by a human relative keeps tension between his old life and his new one, all without revealing the film's final twists. The wilderness tests his resolve daily.

Released in 2003, Brother Bear was directed by Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, with story credits to Tab Murphy, Lorne Cameron and David Hoselton. The voice cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Jason Raize, Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, notably.

It connected with family audiences on its theatrical run and helped maintain Disney's animation presence in the early 2000s, earning solid returns without breaking box office records. Subsequent home video sales were strong and the film inspired a direct-to-video sequel.

Its warm portrayal of sibling bonds and talking animal characters made Koda and the moose duo memorable for kids, and the film has stayed in rotation on home releases and family streaming. Its blend of humor and emotion keeps it referenced in discussions of early 2000s Disney animation, and it influenced some merchandising.

Audiences gave it generally favorable scores, reflected in a solid user rating, while critics noted its mix of humor and sentiment. Central themes include empathy across differences, the meaning of brotherhood, and respect for nature, all presented with lively animation and a soundtrack that aims to blend adventure with feeling.