A Mythic Tale about Choices
BlaskoFilms | Coon Rapids, MN United States | 02/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Boy Who Wanted to be a Bear" is one of the most engrossing and magical animated feature-length films of recent memory. It's the story of a wild boy caught between two opposing worlds -- the village of men and the land of animals. In each, there are reasons to stay and reasons to leave, but the power of love helps to lead him toward his ultimate decision.
The soundtrack is marvelous (composed by the artist who scored Winged Migration and Himalaya), and helps to give the film some additional spirit. The animation is simple, yet powerful and rich -- the scenes have the youthful look of magic marker imposed over watercolor backdrops, and yet, because of this, the characters feel more real. The pace of the story is perhaps a bit too brisk at times, but overall this is a masterful film. I think that you and your children will enjoy this as much my the folks in our house did.
A word to the wise: purchase the Collector's Edition so that you'll have the option of the English audio track as well as the beautiful, original French audio track. It's a shame when studios consider original languages to be "extras.""
One of a kind!
Lisa M. Whitesell | Dayton, Ohio | 06/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Beautiful film! My 4 and 5 year olds loved it. I loved the cultural aspect to it that is so hard to find. In reference to the violence, it's not any more violent than Disney's Lion King."
Definately not a Disney Move
L. Jonsson | Charleston, SC United States | 05/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very surreal and dreamy picture about a boy taken from his parents by grief stricken bears who want to raise him as their son. He grows up, his Father reclaims him, and his struggle to become part of the wild again begins. A fantastic film, probably a little better for older children."