Brother Bear 2 plot known!

[Epesi]

The report comes from Ultimate Disney -- though I heard it from Animated News -- and you may find it a bit surprising!

"...the direct-to-video sequel Brother Bear 2 is slated to make its splash on DVD summer 2006. The feature's storyline will center on Kenai (who, you may recall, has been transformed into a brown bear) as he travels the picturesque Pacific Northwest at the end of the Ice Age. During his adventures, he remains haunted by dreams of his previous life. As a human child, he befriended Nita, the daughter of a tribal elder. The pair's past friendship collides with the present as Kenai and Nita embark on a journey as bear and woman. Rutt and Tuke are also back for this adventure."

Now, like any movie, this could go anywhere from here. To me, this storyline has a great deal of potential for good; on the other hand, it makes me a great deal more nervous than the rumored Rutt and Tuke spin-off did.

The previous concept didn't trouble me much at all; if it turned out good, then it would have been an interesting diversion. If it turned out not so good, it would have been easy to ignore. Failed comedies won't keep you awake at night.On the other hand, this sequel gives me more to look forward to than a comedy starring the moose. If it fails, it will be an even greater disappointment.

This news is a double-edged sword. But, in a way, that makes it even more exciting. ;D

Your thoughts?

[nadine]

I found that out on IMDb.com today and I was pretty suprised. VERY!!! I mean Nita doesn't sound like a bad girl at all, but I sure hope that Kenai and Nita don't fall for each other cause if they do, I'm gonna sue the Walt Disney Company for that. Its too bad that they hadn't say anything about the cast for the sequel yet.

I just hope that Joaquin Phoenix will return to voice Kenai again, but at least Jeremy Suarez is doing the voice for Koda again in the new sequel.

[Ken'ichi]

Interesting plot, now I can't wait to see it!

[SilentDawn]

I don't see how they could change Kenai's acting voice. I don't think there is anything for that matter that we should worry about.

I look forward to seeing this one in the theaters. I did not get a chance to see the original...

I see a lot of things they can work with, to make a really good story...Also some things that could make it really bad...But all we can do is wait to see it!

[nadine]

SilentDawn, the plot said that its coming out on DVD and Video, not at the theaters. Oh and ummmm.... I'm kinda writing my own Brother Bear sequel but its not really done yet. Oy!!!

[Mohegan]

Hmm, the plot sounds pretty interesting to me! But I hope it'won't be such thing as a love story. And I sure hope that Phil Collins will come back to make more songs. ;D

[Nikiski]

Well, it sounds alright to me. Hope to see it soon!

[Truttle]

Yeah!!! This is fantastic!! I knew they wouldn't omit my two favorite Brother Bears! As for the plot, well I leave it all up to my imagination until I see the results. It's not half bad if you ask me. I even think the girl might turn into a bear herself! It would be cool! And if Phill Collins can make music for Tarzan 2, then I have no doubt that he'll make songs for this too! I can't wait! ;D

[Krystedez "Spectrum"]

Thank heavens we need not anticipate another Lion King 1 1/2 in disguise...

[Kadzait]

Hmm..I liked TLK 1 1/2...


Well, sounds like a pretty good plot to me so far, the thing I am hoping for most is getting Joaqin back to play Kenai. And sounds like Jeremy is already on board. And I ihad heard heard earlier that Dave and Rick are back as the moose, so this should be okay. Usually when they get the original voice talent back, things go a bit smoother, ya know what I mean?

As for teh story itself, it could go many ways. Also is Animation Quality, I can tell you for one, this better not be bad quality, for example like *shudder* return of jafar. But most DTV's have been prety decent recently, so I hope this can go in the right direction as well. I love Brother Bear SOOOOOOOOOOO Much! (just got it back after two months of my grandma borrowing it! I was going into withdrawls I tell ya!) Anywho, if they can do as good animation as TLK 1 1/2 (that looked the same as the original, in my opinion) thiings will be swell. And of course, what's BB without Phil?

[SilentDawn]

I liked TLK 1.5 also....I agree, it didn't have the "touch" that the other two had...But it was still fairly enjoyable. So, Mlehh! *Sticks tounge out a Spectrum*

Aww, darn..I see now that it will be released to DVD and VHS....*Sigh* I'm never going to see any brother bear character on the "Big screen"...Maybe I will convince someone to remake it in "IMAX"? I would be happy then.

[Epesi]

Don't worry SD, someday I'm sure they'll re-release it. Now, Balto is a film I love, which I never got to see in theaters. I was in Russia at the time, and I hadn't even heard about it until it was on video. I've always wanted to see it in theaters, but it doesn't seem to have the same chances of re-release as a Disney film does. Still, there is a petition hosted by several Balto fansites, and if it actually works, perhaps we will see a re-release after all. I can always hope.

Anyway, that's getting off the subject.

Regarding the animation of the sequel, I don't think we have anything to worry about; DisneyToon Studios have improved greatly over the years, and proven themselves more than capable of producing the same quality as any major studio. This, I believe, is where the film is being made; it's the sequels that are handled by the TV department that end up with that mediocre look. Stitch!: The Movie serves as the pilot to a TV series, whereas Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch is a direct sequel to the film, created by DisneyToon Studios. Other "sequels" like Atlantis II: Milo's Return, and even Cinderella II: Dreams Come True were originally planned as TV series, but the plans were scrapped, and some of the episodes, already in various stages of production, were hastily put together with some new linking footage, and released as full-length sequels. This is more or less the case of Tarzan and Jane, and the earlier Hercules: Zero to Hero. The infamous Return of Jafar was going to be the multi-part pilot of the Aladdin TV series, until they got the idea to release it on video instead.

Of course, most of you probably know this already, in which case I've wasted time repeating it. XD

Anyway, I also enjoyed TLK 1.5. As a comedy, it never held the same expectations as other sequels, to me. In my opinion, it was funny, and an entertaining diversion, which was all it ever needed to be. Like I said before, it would be easier, to me, if Brother Bear 2 had followed suit. It seems like the "safe" option. People would probably still complain about it, as they never seem to get tired of complaining about TLK 1.5, but I don't think it's caused any great rifts in the community.

[Epesi]

UltimateDisney.com has this very small, but rather interesting, update:
"... Brother Bear II (tentatively slated for June), ... will contain music by Melissa Etheridge."

Obviously the site didn't go into great detail on the subject; the report was primarily about the music of Bambi II, as described by an article from Variety. A subscription is required to read the full story there, but presumably if they had said anything more on the subject of Brother Bear II, UltimateDisney would have mentioned it.

Anyway, I imagine the first thing some of you will notice is that the article makes no mention of Phil Collins. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he is not involved in the music of Brother Bear II; it could be a collaborative effort. So make of it what you will, but nothing is conclusive yet.

This was reported on UltimateDisney.com on Saturday, August 27th; if you follow UltimateDisney as well, then I apologize for repeating what you already know.

[likenai]

This movie is coming out august 29, 2006 and I'm dying to see it

[nadine]

Awwww....man I was hoping that Phil Collins would have return to do the music for Brother Bear II since he already the new music for Tarzan II. Oh well, I guess the music won't be that bad for this sequel anyway.