Brother Bear 2
Brother Bear 2 is a 2006 American animated direct-to-video road film and the sequel to the animated feature Brother Bear, which was released on August 29, 2007. Melissa Etheridge contributed three songs to the film. In the film, the adventures of bear brothers Kenai and Koda continue. While the first film dealt with Kenai's relationship with Koda, this one focuses more on his bond with a young human of his past, Nita.
| Brother Bear 2 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ben Gluck |
| Produced by | Jim Ballantine Carolyn Bates |
| Starring | Patrick Dempsey Mandy Moore Benjamin Bryan Jim Cummings Michael Clarke Duncan Jessie Flower Wendie Malick Andrea Martin Rick Moranis Kathy Najimy Catherine O'Hara Jeremy Suarez Krista Swan Wanda Sykes Dave Thomas Jack Weber Dana Gonzales Frank Welker |
| Music by | Matthew Gerrard Dave Metzger Robbie Nevil |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Buena Vista Home Entertainment |
Release date | August 29, 2006 |
Running time | 73 minutes |
| Language | English |
Only five of the original characters return for the sequel (excluding Denahi): Kenai, Koda, Rutt, Tuke, and Tug, as Jason Raize died on February 3, 2005. Only four of those actors came back to do their original roles: Jeremy Suarez, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and Michael Clarke Duncan.
Producer Jim Ballantine was removed from the project and replaced with Carolyn Bates. Jason Marsden, as heard in the first trailer, was originally announced to voice Kenai, after being voiced by Joaquin Phoenix in the first film; Patrick Dempsey ultimately voiced the character. However, the end credits still note Marsden as one of the additional voices.
Voice cast
- Patrick Dempsey as Kenai
- Jeremy Suarez as Koda
- Mandy Moore as Nita
- Rick Moranis as Rutt
- Dave Thomas as Tuke
- Wanda Sykes as Innoko
- Jim Cummings as Bering
- Catherine O'Hara as Kata
- Jack Weber as Young Kenai
- Michael Clarke Duncan as Tug
- Ben Gluck as Raccoon #2
- Frank Welker as Animals' vocal effects (uncredited)
Reception
Brother Bear 2 did surprisingly better in critical response than Brother Bear 1, with a higher rating of 58% in Rotten Tomatoes, indicating mixed-to-positive reviews. The consensus is "the story seems lacking along with some annoying plot holes, but Brother Bear 2 is a worth-watching fun family film that will entertain kids and adults along the way".