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

| Apr 22, 2014

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

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 18, 2014

Bonus points for all but eliminating the easy scatological humor. Does a bear (poop) in the woods? You won't find out watching "Bears."

| Apr 18, 2014

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.

| Original Score: B | Apr 18, 2014

All this is heartwarming, in a bloody, ursine-centric way.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 18, 2014

Despite the bracing beauty of the wilderness, and the respite provided by cubs at play, the movie is primarily a sobering treatise on survival.

| Apr 17, 2014

The devotion and persistence of these animals is a powerful reminder that family connections link all species. With this peek into their world, we are more aware of our own.

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 17, 2014

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.

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 17, 2014

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.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 17, 2014

An enjoyable and visually stunning romp through the scenic Alaskan wilderness with a small family of bears.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 17, 2014

As with Fothergill's previous nature documentaries, "Bears" is a story of triumph and family.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 17, 2014

Amid its heaping serving of cuddliness ... the film doesn't sugarcoat the harsh reality and unforgiving elements with which the bears have to contend.

| Apr 17, 2014

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.

| Apr 17, 2014

A formulaically entertaining combination of gorgeous cinematography and unapologetic anthropomorphization.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 17, 2014

Don't look for Disneynature's "Salmon" anytime soon.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 17, 2014

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.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 17, 2014

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.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 17, 2014

Bears works very well as an emotional story of survival and family. But at 77-minutes, it felt a little overlong.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 17, 2014

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 17, 2014

Another typically engaging, vividly shot entry in the successful Disney wildlife series.

| Apr 14, 2014