BROTHER BEAR (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Brother Bear runs on a ‘protect and save wildlife/plant life’ theme. It’s a fair to middling animated film for children.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kenai (voice Joaquin Phoenix), the youngest of three brothers, Sitka (voice D.B. Sweeney), the oldest, and Denahi (voice Jason Raize), the middle brother, play, ride canoes, and catch fish together. The two eldest brothers catch a basket full of salmon and then leave to go to a ceremony. Kenai ties the basket to a tree and hurries to go to the ceremony, too. He notices that the basket has fallen to the ground, but follows after his older brothers anyway. At the ceremony Kenai, the youngest brother, is nominated as the Bear of Love. When the brothers come back to the salmon basket, it is missing. Kenai goes after the basket and gets into a duel with a bear. His brothers come to help, but in the process the oldest brother attempts to save the two youngest brothers by taking his spear and breaking the mountain ice around himself and the bear. The bear and older brother cascade to the river below. The bear makes it out of the freezing water, but the oldest brother does not surface. When the two younger brothers only find their older brother’s skin coat, Kenai wants revenge and, against his middle brother’s advice, goes after the bear. He provokes the bear into another duel and the story is off and running.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Chuck Williams for making the film possible. Cast include: Jeremy Suarez, Harold Gould, Joan Copeland, Rick Moranis, and Dave Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It works for a young audience. It is a message feature, not made for pure entertainment.

Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MASTER OF DISGUISE (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

The Master of Disguise—smart, witty, fresh—performs as one of the better comedies released for a while. There are some risqué scenes, but overall Dana Carvey (as Pistachio Disguisey) gives us a royal treat in comedic and creative diversity that is unbeatable. While the film did not receive positive reviews, the creativity makes this film shine. Even though this has been given a low numerical rating by Ben Meyers International, it still deserves praise for the work performed by directors, producers, actors, and actresses. It provides a very good showcase for Dana Carvey’s talents. It’s re-watchable purely to ensure no piece of the very smartly written dialogue is missed.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Secret Agent Fabbrizio Disguisey (James Brolin) does not want to pass on the family occupation to his children, moves to America, opens a restaurant, and raises his family. But, it’s not as easy as he thinks to break family tradition.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Perry Andelin Blake for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jack Giarraputo and Adam Sandler for making the film possible. Cast include: Dana Carvey, James Brolin, Jennifer Esposito, Harold Gould, Brent Spiner, Edie McClurg, and Austin Wolff.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Even though it is 3.6 Stars and maybe not as good as higher quality comedies, it’s a very smartly written comedy generously packed with terrific one-liners.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers