Today’s Prayer Focus

The Country Bears

Moral Rating: not reviewed
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: 4 to Adult
Genre: Family / Comedy
Length:
Year of Release: 2002
USA Release:
Scene from “The Country Bears”
Featuring Haley Joel Osment, Christopher Walken, Diedrich Bader, Julianne Buescher, Charles S. Dutton
Director Peter Hastings
Producer Andrew Gunn, Jeffrey Chernov
Distributor Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive—I marvel at the sourpusses who, first, take too seriously, and then trash, this film. Every one in our family, age-range 47 to 3, found something to laugh at. It’s as offensive as a comic book, and about as purely fun. The car wash scene is a riot, the musical number in the coffee shop is a show-stopper. I’m not even a country music fan, but I enjoyed the songs, and cracked up at the cameo’s. (One scene, you say, “That’s ___ ____ singing”—and then there she is, sitting at the bar, grooving on the music.) The makers of the movie put together a fun diversion, and clearly did not take themselves too seriously. Too bad the same can’t be said of its critics.
My Ratings: [Good / 3½]
Dan, age 47
Neutral—Boring, Boring! Took our grandkids to see it (ages 3 to 5) and walked out after 20 minutes. Went to the theater next door to see Stuart Little 2 and was completely delighted! Bears could not get the attention of the kids and as an adult found it boring with predictability. Disney can do much better than this with their resources! Did not appreciate the negative connotation about adopted children. We have an adopted grandson age 7 and I’m glad he was not there to be reminded! Maybe should have stayed longer but the movie held no ones attention in our family.
My Ratings: [Average / 2]
John Emery, age 51
Positive—I think this movie was very cute and totally appropriate for younger children. The music is good, clean and fun. Most of the vocabulary was acceptable and not offensive or crude. A few times mean words were said because someone was angry, but they were not obscene or foul. I have to admit it was a little bit corny, but overall it was a fun, family movie. And it had some good lessons to be learned.
My Ratings: [Good / 3]
Becky Browne, age 39
Positive—I think this movie is great family fun! My 9 year old daughter and her friend loved it. Even though the acting and plot are a little weak for adults, the kids did not seem to mind. As for the moral rating, I give it two thumbs up.

The negative side, “Beary’s” human brother is disrespectful to adults and is treats the little bear poorly calling him a “dork.” In the end, however, he accepts Beary. The moral to this movie; it’s OK to be different and everyone has a purpose or destiny. Although not presented in a Christian way, these themes are true to the Christian faith.
My Ratings: [Good / 4]
Brenda, age 36
Negative—My husband and I took our two children to this movie tonight, basing our choice of what movie to see by the reviews listed here. Mistake! Are there no Christians that are offended by country/rock music? Provocative dancing by girls? The disrespectful attitude of the brother? The idiotic manner in which all authority is portrayed? The overall message in this movie seems to say, “If it takes running away to find yourself, cool,” etc. And what’s the big deal about the cameo appearance of Elton John? You see him for less than 10 seconds, and young children don’t even know or care who he is. (He portrays a gardener)
My Ratings: [Average / 3]
Cindy, age 39
Positive—Surprise surprise: Disney CAN make a movie without hidden agendas, evil parents or satanic subplots!! A very cute movie!! My two kids, aged 4 and 6 thoroughly enjoyed this film. Simple, but fun. A lot of jokes that had me side-splitting!! Actually a musical with a few great performance numbers. The way the whole thing weaves together with no one really seeming to comment on the fact that these huge bears live among humans speaks of an interesting tolerance. There was only one scene that had me wincing slightly; when the “bad guy” developer (played by Christopher Walkin) was toting a gun and wearing a belt of tranquilizer bullets. Otherwise; an awesome cute “little kid” movie! We’ll watch it again!
My Ratings: [Good / 5]
Allie, age 29
Neutral—This was a very clean movie with awful acting and not much of a plot. I was disappointed and thought it really could have been a cute movie. It has a strong family theme and there really isn’t anything offensive except for maybe a few bar type scenes where the bears were “getting drunk” on honey. My kids (ages 5 and 2) did like the movie but were bored towards the end.
My Ratings: [Good / 2]
Jenny, age 34
Positive—What a cute movie!!! I thought it was really funny and sweet! I just love the way the little bear doesn’t know he’s “adopted.” There was absolutely nothing bad or offensive in this movie. Mt kids and I loved it! I would recommend it for the whole family.
My Ratings: [Good / 5]
Dewayne, age 30
Positive—Let me just say first off that THE POLICEMEN WERE ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!! And I’m 20 years old. They made me laugh so hard!!! But as for the story itself involving the bears, it was very boring to me. But I think that children will love it and won’t find it boring. Many, many famous people showed up in the movie.
My Ratings: [Good / 3½]
Charlene, age 20
Comments from young people
Positive—The County Bears is a good family movie, though it lacks much of a plot. The only thing that worried me was when one man had a gun, and tranquilizer bullets around his chest and was threatening to shoot the bears with it. As you may have heard one of the bears had a honey drinking problem though it does not show any of the bears getting drunk on honey. The movies moral to me was that family is important and they’ll always love you no matter how different you are. It also shows that forgiveness can go a long way. My dad was disappointed that they included a cameo appearance by Elton John. But other than that its a good movie for kids.
My Ratings: [2½]
Mehagan, age 10
Positive—It was a really good movie. The big brother of beary did not really like beary. Beary was cute. I went to see it with my dad, but my 12 year old sister went to her friends house. This was one of the best movies I have seen since The Rookie and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It was really good.
My Ratings: [Good / 4½]
Matthew Shaw, age 7
Movie Critics
…shameless, toe-tappin’ fun, fun, FUN for the whole family!
Dr. Tom Snyder and Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide
…With no sexually suggestive elements or foul language, THE COUNTRY BEARS is fun for the whole family…
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