Disney in the Classroom
Brother Bear

Kenai encounters a spirit being
(c) Disney

Perhaps this is because the movie begins with a realistic portrayal of Inuit life. This portrayal includes many aspects of Inuit culture including their Animist beliefs. This makes conservative critics uneasy and causes them not to recommend the film. Or perhaps it is because Brother Bear's portrayal of ursine behavior is so unrealistic. This makes the film entertaining and makes its message accessible to children. But it has also caused most mainstream critics to assess the film as "a paint by the numbers effort..." or as "too bland for all but toddlers...".      

Bears don't usually discuss pictures
(c) Disney

Many people will listen to the media and will not see Brother Bear. Let me suggest that this is a poor decision. As I stated above Brother Bear is a remarkable movie. Most presentations of Native American cultures romanticize and glorify their way of life. Brother Bear presents the Inuits as people very much like us.  They have fears and doubts about their world and their place in it, just as we do. Brother Bear also deals frankly with the Inuits' religious beliefs. I believe this is an opportunity for understanding and growth instead of a reason not to see the film. Virtually all primitive people are Animists. Most of our modern religions came from, or were shaped by, their founders' responses to Animism. So seeing a realistic portrayal of the Inuits' religious beliefs can give us a deeper understanding of our own religious beliefs. Such a portrayal can also teach us that all religions contain truths (like the belief that a person committing an immoral act will suffer for committing that act) that can help us to become better people.    

Kenai's first reaction to Koda
(c) Disney