The Country Bears (2002)

I remember seeing the poster for this film while I was on holiday in America, specifically in Orlando, Florida, where of course Disney World is, the film is based on the famous attraction Country Bear Jamboree, I decided to watch and see what I'd make of this film. Basically in a world where humans and talking bears co-exist, The Country Bears were a successful all-bear country rock band until they broke up in 1991, optimistic bear cub Beary Barrington (Haley Joel Osment) has been raised by a human family and still idolises the band. Greedy banker Reed Thimple (Christopher Walken) is threatening to tear down Country Bear Hall, the former concert hall of the Country Bears, Beary decides to run away from home to find all members of the Country Bears to reform them and perform a comeback benefit concert to raise "20,000 needed to save the hall. One by one Beary, with bus driver and drummer Roadie (Lost's M.C. Gainey), they track down all band members: harmonica and electric bass player Fred Bedderhead (Brad Garrett), fiddler Zeb Zoober (Stephen Root), one-string guitar player Tennessee O'Neal (Toby Huss) and lead singer and guitarist Ted Bedderhead (Diedrich Bader). Each members is initially reluctant to reunite and take part in a concert, but they are persuaded by Beary and admiration for them, and of course the threatening of the closure of their hall. In the end, after the road trip on the bus to bring them all together, and some trouble along the way from police officers Officer Cheets (Diedrich Bader) and Officer Hamm (Daryl Mitchell) looking for Beary along the way, the Country Bears, joined by musically talented Beary, perform a show to an adoring crowd and raise the money to save the hall. Also starring Stephen Tobolowsky as Norbert Barrington, Alex Rocco as Rip Holland, Meagen Fay as Mrs. Barrington, American Pie's Eli Marienthal as Dex Barrington, Candy Ford as Trixie St. Claire, James Gammon as Big Al, Kevin Michael Richardson as Henry Dixon Taylor, and cameos from Elton John, Willie Nelson, Queen Latifah as Cha-Cha, "Crush" singer Jennifer Paige as Waitress, Krystal Marie Harris, Wyclef Jean and Xzibit. Only Walken is perhaps worth mentioning in terms of acting in this, he's okay, the special effects to bring the slightly unconvincing talking bears to life is reasonable, and the story is simple, about love, friendship and loyalty, there is some alright music along the way, it is let down by daft attempts at humour and feeling highly predictable, but the family can all sit down and relax with this alright musical comedy. Okay!

the whole it's-right-in-front-of-your-nose-but-you-are-too-stupid-to-see-it gag never gets old for me. the beginning of the movie is chock full of that kind of humor. the cops are as astute as homer simpson. beary's brother is the only one who has a clue, but nobody listens to him. that's just funny.and who doesn't miss the old country bear jamboree attraction at Disney? man, i grew up with that. it was a sad sad day when they replaced that attraction.yeah it's predictable. yeah it's a recycled plot 11,000 times over. but it's a great movie for younger kids. they aren't going to care if it is a recycled plot. they just like to watch the talking bears and see adults acting silly. it's a tested formula that Disney has used forever. and since the main character is a kid with dreams that he works hard for and sees come true... well, that's just great.who's never had a dream? (mine is to be a kid again =)

This a great family movie. Christopher Walken, as usual, is a blast. This movie has other great actors like Stephen Tobolowsky, which add to the fun. The way the musical numbers are presented are reminiscent of "The Blues Brothers." This movie shows how it is possible to have a great family movie without even a hint of sexual content. I loved how they dealt with all the bears living among us.My daughter, now 2 and a half, and I, have watched this movie together since she was 6 months old. She requests it and will watch every bit of it. I love every Christopher Walken scene and laugh at almost every line. This movie has been ignored because of "Brother Bear." I say look for it and enjoy it with your kids!

I'd never heard of the Country Bears before - even the Disney attraction - and picked up the DVD for half price as a 'stocking filler' for my 8-year-old. I was pleasantly surprised - it's great to see something so innocent and good hearted that isn't packed with the sort of mawkish sentimentality that often finds its way into kids' films. The bears are the stars of the show, with some excellent costume puppetry and some great characters (my favourite is Zeb, who plays a mean fiddle). The story is a simple one, and you know how it's going to end. And I usually hate country music, but enjoyed the rocky tunes that punctuate the movie. This is the sort of thing that will keep most kids amused for an hour and a half - and any adult who can let their inner child out for a bit will get a kick out of it too. I'd be happy to see more of the Country Bears...