The Film
Disney has given us an array of animated bears over the years. Now, Disneynature, the House of Mouse's independent documentary unit, is tackling their real-life counterparts with the aptly titled, Bears.
Bears makes its subject matter seem cuddly, cute and quite loving. However, this doesn't have the huggable Winnie the Pooh or the funny Baloo. These are real, living, breathing and sometimes frightening bears. Directors Alastair Fothergill (Planet Earth, African Cats) and Keith Scholey (African Cats), along with an entire documentary crew, actually followed a year in the life of mama bear "Sky" and her two cubs, "Amber" and "Scout."
With the winter wrapping up, sleepytime is over and the three must venture down a mountain, across a valley and to a big stream for the annual salmon run. The adventure is often stunning, touching and even terrifying in some spots, thanks to the gorgeous Alaskan backdrop.
You see, according to narrator John C. Reilly (Guardians of the Galaxy, Wreck-It Ralph), over half of all bear cubs don't survive their first year. The avalanches, the terrain, the lack of food, and a variety of predators certainly aren't helping this little fur family's odds, either. However, you won't have to shield anyone's eyes (although some fish do get pretty mauled) and Reilly makes the on-screen adventures downright amusing, as he puts a quirky voice to each of the cubs, their mama, and the various situations they encounter.
Bears is another stunning entry into the Disneynature franchise. It offers a peek at something few dare to see up-close, making it entertaining and interesting for the entire family.
The Picture
If you've seen any of Disneynature's past releases, you'll know what to expect. This 1.78:1 image is stunning from beginning to end, from the detailed snow to the lush green landscapes. Then, the bears themselves are a whole other bit of eye candy. Every strand of hair, every tooth, and the look in every bear's eyes is quite a sight to behold. Even the salmon (and salmon parts) are sharp looking and insanely lifelike. Bears offers the best peek at bears that most of you will ever get (hopefully).
The Sound
John C. Reilly's whimsical narration and George Fenton's musical score dominates the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for Bears. However, there's plenty of room in the surrounds for the Alaskan atmosphere. Water, birds, wind, wolves, and the actual bears are all very present. It's not the most bold soundtrack, but it certainly doesn't disappoint.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Disney has delivered a Blu-ray that perfectly matches the subject matter for Bears, with stunning imagery, interesting audio, and a nice selection of supplements. Whether or not you're a fan of Disney's animated bears doesn't really matter; Bears is a must-see. It's a gorgeous documentary that allows viewers an up-close peek at a year in the life of a little bear family, as they hunt for food and struggle to survive. Even better, it's something that the kids will really enjoy -- and won't leave them with any nightmares.
Product Details
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