Bears 2014

Kyle Smith, New York Post: There's only so much editing can do to make a bear story seem like a human one, and the filmmakers (Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey directed) also go to unfortunate lengths to give human characteristics like laziness to the bears. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: It may be rated G, but for the most part this is serious stuff, as potentially traumatic for younger viewers as the death of Bambi's mother. Read more

Andrew Barker, Variety: Surely some of the film's various incidents have been creatively stitched together from stray bits and pieces of footage, but its central conflict is an entirely organic one, and rarely is any offscreen string pulling distractingly evident. Read more

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic: A formulaically entertaining combination of gorgeous cinematography and unapologetic anthropomorphization. Read more

Tom Russo, Boston Globe: As with all of Disneynature's features, there's astonishing documentary work on display in "Bears" - but a leaner, less conspicuously structured view of the wild might have had even greater impact. Read more

Adam Graham, Detroit News: There are grittier nature documentaries out there, but "Bears" is simple and effective, and delivered with that friendly Disney touch. Its intent is to make you say, "awww," and it does its job well. Read more

Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly: If the sight of bear cubs prancing through wildflowers doesn't make you smile, then you probably won't like the new Disneynature documentary Bears. You also probably aren't human. Read more

Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter: Another typically engaging, vividly shot entry in the successful Disney wildlife series. Read more

Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times: Amid its heaping serving of cuddliness ... the film doesn't sugarcoat the harsh reality and unforgiving elements with which the bears have to contend. Read more

Jordan Hoffman, New York Daily News: Don't look for Disneynature's "Salmon" anytime soon. Read more

Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: Despite the bracing beauty of the wilderness, and the respite provided by cubs at play, the movie is primarily a sobering treatise on survival. Read more

Michael Sragow, Orange County Register: The astounding footage of a mother bear and two cubs fishing, fighting and hanging tough through a challenging year of foraging transcends the folksy narration. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The "nature" aspects of Bears are undercut by the need to turn this into a live-action Disney cartoon, complete with cuddly heroes and nasty villains. Read more

Christy Lemire, RogerEbert.com: "Bears" could have used a lot more science; more substantive information in the place of wacky one-liners. Still, the images trump everything. Read more

Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle: Bonus points for all but eliminating the easy scatological humor. Does a bear (poop) in the woods? You won't find out watching "Bears." Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The movie reduces magnificent, savage animals to the dimensions of a squabbling but loyal human family. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: All this is heartwarming, in a bloody, ursine-centric way. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: Although Bears doesn't have a stated green message, it's hard to see the majestic natural beauty presented onscreen and not feel stewardship urges. Read more

Alonso Duralde, TheWrap: The Disneynature movies shouldn't be mistaken for traditional documentary, but if they act as a gateway drug for young children to learn more about the animal kingdom, then the films are serving a real purpose. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: An enjoyable and visually stunning romp through the scenic Alaskan wilderness with a small family of bears. Read more

Chris Packham, Village Voice: Sincere and unexpectedly good, the film happily reintroduces another element of classic kids' movies: a tidy 77-minute run time. Read more

Sandie Angulo Chen, Washington Post: As with Fothergill's previous nature documentaries, "Bears" is a story of triumph and family. Read more