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The Bear

The Bear

List Price: $9.95
Your Price: $9.95
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the greatest thrill is not to kill, but to let live
Review: The Bear is a remarkable work of cinema. I think that anyone who sees this film will be moved by its depiction of the inherent dignity of all creatures. It stands as a moving indictment against killing animals for fun, trophy, or sport. The greatest thrill is not to kill, but to let live. Please take an opportunity to experience this film for yourself and share it with your family. Its moving message will definitely stay with you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A bear's coming of age...
Review: THE BEAR is a unique and startling film. The storyline follows a young bear's quest for companionship after the accidental death of its mother. It is incredibly executed but even beyond that, you'll be filled with awe wondering, "how did they do that?" Today, the film might have been done using a lot of computer generation or even a narration like 2002's animated SPIRIT. But Director Jean-Jacques Annaud approached this in its purist format.

The film stars the small bear Youk in a performance with more subtleties than many of today's young stars. The lumbering Bart, a natural phenomenan, plays his big buddy bear. The two communicate without words, but what is being said is amazingly clear. There are appearances by some humans and they occasionally speak, but the dialogue is not used to propel the story. THE BEAR uses the visual medium of film to tell its story and it is a pleasure to watch.

The DVD comes with a nice audio transfer and it also contains both a widescreen and pan and scan (fullscreen) transfer for those bears who hate the black bars. There are two very short making of documentaries which is one of the only disappoints in the package.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can A Bear Get An Oscar?
Review: The Story: A bear cub is orphaned when its mother is killed, and promptly attaches himself to an enormous male bear. The bears must learn to tolerate one another, and then survive hunters coming into their territory.

Commentary: Doesn't sound like much of a story, does it? Wrong! The astonishing detail, the magnificent scenery, the perfect musical score, the incredible photography - of the background and the close-ups of the bears - all add up to a seldom talked about but truly wonderful film. It can be enjoyed by any age, and is perfect for families. Hunting enthusiasts might not enjoy it, though, as the hunters are clearly the bad guys here. The bears act perfectly and naturally, without appearing to go through trained routines.

Footnote: I saw this film when it first came out on the big screen, and do not know how well it translates to VHS. I'm guessing it loses some of its grandeur and magnificence, especially for the panoramic shots. But, the bears and their simple but rich story would still be there. On DVD with a HD TV, less might be lost.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Touching and sensual!
Review: This "based on a book" that was "based on a true story" film is an outstanding example of modern cinemagraphic art. Annaud floods your senses with sights and sounds to the point of audience inclusion. The story will touch even the hardest of heart, perhaps in part due to the original author's experience. This film is highly recommended!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful Bears
Review: This beautiful movie about an orphan bear cub befriended by an older bear in the wild is told with very little dialog. The bears are fascinating to watch and you'll be cheering for them as they encounter Man. The scenery and music are outstanding, but the bears steal your heart. This is a classic the whole family can enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Movie That Will Tug At Your Heart
Review: This has to be one of the best movies made - ever. Maybe it's not on the huge theatrical level as the Ten Commandments but the scenery is stunning and the bears in the movie - well if you don't fall in love with the little cub and his plight then you have no heart. His adventures, mishaps, struggles and ultimately surviving and winning can bring you to tears, laughter, anger and then joy.

The Bear shows what man can learn from animals - compassion and respect. That confrontation between two enemies does not have to end in death. Any person of any age can enjoy this film. When I watched it, it was with my five year old niece and up to my 75 year old father and no one left the room while watching this movie.

Please watch it and for a couple of hours rejoice in nature and good. And a very happy ending.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I wish I could give it six stars
Review: This is a magnificent, beautiful movie. Yes, it does have parts that are scary for kids. I was glad that we were watching it at home with our 7- and 9-year-old--huge scaredy cats--so that we could talk about those scenes and reassure them. We did fast forward through the brief opener in which the mother bear is killed. But after watching the rest of it, both kids wanted to go back and see the beginning, and have talked endlessly since about how much they love this movie. The DVD has a couple of interesting special features worth watching.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A MOVIE FOR EVERYONE
Review: This is a very touching movie that will bring out your emotions (if you have a pulse). You will feel sadness and anger, but feel good at the end. I first saw the movie on cable, and ordered the DVD 10 minutes into the movie. The movie left such an impression that I had to track down and buy the book, The Grizzly King, which the movie is loosely based on. I believe everyone will enjoy this movie, if they can understand the meaning ...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply fantastic!
Review: This is a wonderful film, packed with action and some of the most beautiful and amazing photography I have ever seen. If you have never witnessed an epiphany, you will in this film and it will warm your heart for days and days.

Tcheky Karyo, Jean-Jaques Annaud and the rest have told a beautiful story; a must have film for every library...

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Amazon reviewers really let me down
Review: This is PG movie so I checked the reviews before I took my three kids to see it as part of the kids summer movie deal at the local Ultrastar. Seemed fine, a great movie.

THIS IS NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS.

I'm sure this movie has it's techincal marvels and pure nature but I've just had to remove three very upset crying children from the cinema,(ages 4, 6 and 9. )This may have a PG rating but there is far to much in the way of blood and gore and death in the first thirty minutes to upset even a 37 year old mother. Mother bear killed in rock slide, hunters shooting, blood splattering, horses stamping on people. This kind of movie has a time and a place and a kids movie it is not.




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