Film Feedback
New This WeekAround TownMusicFilmArtTheaterNews & FeaturesFood & DrinkAstrology
  HOME
NEW THIS WEEK
EDITORS' PICKS
LISTINGS
NEWS & FEATURES
MUSIC
FILM
ART
BOOKS
THEATER
DANCE
TELEVISION
FOOD & DRINK
ARCHIVES
LETTERS
PERSONALS
CLASSIFIEDS
ADULT
ASTROLOGY
PHOENIX FORUM DOWNLOAD MP3s

  E-Mail This Article to a Friend
THE COUNTRY BEARS

Having apparently run out of books and TV shows to adapt into films, the Disney folks turned to their theme park and came up with this effort based on the Disney World attraction the Country Bears Jamboree. Director Peter Hastings creates a world where talking (animatronic) bears and humans peacefully coexist. Beary Barrington has been adopted by a human family, but after his older brother drops a series of not-so-subtle hints that Beary is adopted, he strikes out on his own to "find his higher purpose."

Unfortunately, that purpose turns out to be reuniting the Country Bears, an Eagles-esque band (Don Henley even has a cameo) who broke up in the 1980s. They’re needed to play a charity gig to save Country Bear Hall, which is on the verge of being torn down by a ruthless banker (Christopher Walken, apparently doing some charity work of his own). If this sounds a lot like The Blues Brothers, and even more like Blues Brothers 2000, it feels like it too. Lacking originality the way only a movie based on a theme-park attraction could, The Country Bears isn’t particularly entertaining, but if you close your eyes three-quarters of the way into the film, you’ll hear the bear alter egos of Bonnie Raitt and Don Henley sing a duet that doesn’t sound half bad. (87 minutes)

BY BROOKE HOLGERSON

Issue Date: July 25 - August 1, 2002
Back to the Movies table of contents.
  E-Mail This Article to a Friend

home | feedback | about the phoenix | find the phoenix | advertising info | privacy policy | the masthead | work for us

 © 2002 Phoenix Media Communications Group