The Country Bears (2002)

the country bears
in the beginning there was baby bear who couldn't quite figure out that the reason he was so different was more than just co-incidence. his (parents) were human but in a major state of denial. it is a charming movie and good clean fun for all as he tries to re-unite his heroes the band known as "the country bears."

It's fun, the music is good, sit back and enjoy
Reading the reviews here, I wonder why so many people seem to be so impatient with this movie. I first stumbled across it when I caught a snippet on TV, and I thought it intriguing enough to tape it next time around. Since then, we've watched the tape a few times, and my little one has enjoyed it each time, at ever-increasing ages of course. And so have I!

WE HAD NO IDEA that the movie was based on a theme-park ride, so we weren't biased for or against it on that basis. I suspect that some people have a bias against country music in general, or perhaps it's a bias against people (or bears) with "country" accents. I mean, isn't it noteworthy that some reviewers here think that Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah are the only good things about the film, and both of them are highly connected with urban culture?

Well, I like those two performers a lot, too! But if you are open to new experiences, you can also enjoy a bunch of "Aw shucks" country boys -- er, I mean bears -- whose main love in life is their MUSIC. And that really is, in my view, the biggest draw of the movie. These are characters who overcome personal foibles, and old grudges, for the sake of great music that can only be created by the collective whole.

And in the process, the creators of the film did a great job inserting a character arcs not only for Beary, but also for his human brother, and for the Bears in general. The two cops provide a great silly counterpoint to the action, and Beary's human parents are spot-on with their sincerity and concern when Beary disappears.

Despite the age of this movie, I am here to shop for a DVD copy, because my kid just asked to see it again, and next time I watch the movie, I want to really enjoy cranking up the volume and getting that extra sound quality that a DVD provides. The bottom line, seems to me, is that if you like a happy ending, and you like good music, and you have kids, you should be content with this movie, in whatever format you find it.

It's fun, the music is good, sit back and enjoy
Reading the reviews here, I wonder why so many people seem to be so impatient with this movie. I first stumbled across it when I caught a snippet on TV, and I thought it intriguing enough to tape it next time around. Since then, we've watched the tape a few times, and my little one has enjoyed it each time, at ever-increasing ages of course. And so have I!

WE HAD NO IDEA that the movie was based on a theme-park ride, so we weren't biased for or against it on that basis. I suspect that some people have a bias against country music in general, or perhaps it's a bias against people (or bears) with "country" accents. I mean, isn't it noteworthy that some reviewers here think that Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah are the only good things about the film, and both of them are highly connected with urban culture?

Well, I like those two performers a lot, too! But if you are open to new experiences, you can also enjoy a bunch of "Aw shucks" country boys -- er, I mean bears -- whose main love in life is their MUSIC. And that really is, in my view, the biggest draw of the movie. These are characters who overcome personal foibles, and old grudges, for the sake of great music that can only be created by the collective whole.

And in the process, the creators of the film did a great job inserting a character arcs not only for Beary, but also for his human brother, and for the Bears in general. The two cops provide a great silly counterpoint to the action, and Beary's human parents are spot-on with their sincerity and concern when Beary disappears.

Despite the age of this movie, I am here to shop for a DVD copy, because my kid just asked to see it again, and next time I watch the movie, I want to really enjoy cranking up the volume and getting that extra sound quality that a DVD provides. The bottom line, seems to me, is that if you like a happy ending, and you like good music, and you have kids, you should be content with this movie, in whatever format you find it.