The Country Bears

( 3 )

Overview

This family musical enjoys the dubious distinction of being the first film ever based on a theme park attraction, the "Country Bears Jamboree" at Disneyworld. Beary Barrington voice of Haley Joel Osment is an adolescent bruin raised by a human family after he was found by a park ranger, abandoned in the forest. Curious about his biological roots, Beary travels to Tennessee to seek out his birth parents while attempting to locate the members of his favorite musical group -- a defunct country music act called the ...
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Overview

This family musical enjoys the dubious distinction of being the first film ever based on a theme park attraction, the "Country Bears Jamboree" at Disneyworld. Beary Barrington voice of Haley Joel Osment is an adolescent bruin raised by a human family after he was found by a park ranger, abandoned in the forest. Curious about his biological roots, Beary travels to Tennessee to seek out his birth parents while attempting to locate the members of his favorite musical group -- a defunct country music act called the Country Bears -- along the way. Country Bear Hall, the famed venue where the band was launched, is facing imminent destruction at the hands of greedy banker Reed Thimple Christopher Walken, but young Beary has a plan to save the hall by staging a reunion benefit concert. Beary's path takes him through a guitar duel, a vintage coffee house, and a car wash, as he's pursued by a pair of bumbling cops Diedrich Bader and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell trying to reunite him with his adoptive parents. Meanwhile, a panoply of musical legends including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, and Queen Latifah appear Behind the Music-style to comment on the Country Bears' alleged artistic influence on their work. The Country Bears, the first in a pair of planned Disney projects based on the company's theme park rides the second is slated to be based on "Pirates of the Caribbean", co-stars Stephen Tobolowsky, Brad Garrett, Alex Rocco, and Stephen Root.
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Donald Liebenson
Paws down, The Country Bears is the best live-action comedy ever based on a Disney theme-park attraction -- a sweet, cleverly cast surprise that's a subversively funny cross between The Jerk and The Blues Brothers. Taking its cue from the Disneyland original, the film relies on costumed characters rather than ursine computer-generation. Haley Joel Osment is the voice of Beary Berrington, a cub who worships the Country Bears, a legendary band that broke up a decade earlier following its "Hiber Nation" tour. When Beary, who has been adopted by humans, leaves home to find his birth parents, his pilgrimage takes him to venerable Country Bear Hall, the venue where his beloved band got their start. Discovering that it's about to be destroyed by a banker (a hilarious Christopher Walken) with a surprising old score to settle, Beary has an inspiration: reunite the long-estranged Country Bears for a benefit concert that will save their former stomping grounds. The film boasts a honey of a soundtrack: John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, and Don Henley all lend their voices, and Brian Setzer participates in a "Devil Went Down to Georgia"-type battle of the bands. From slapstick comedy to sly and surreal humor, The Country Bears is all-ages fun.
All Movie Guide
Don't believe the critics. With songs by John Hiatt, vocals by Hiatt, Don Henley, and Bonnie Raitt, and appearances by Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, and rockabilly hero Brian Setzer, The Country Bears is far hipper than the animatronic troupe of fuzz balls from the old Disneyland theme show. The fantasy story plays out like a fur-covered The Commitments, with a bright dose of the old "let's put on a show" plot twist, but the young target audience won't find the familiar story line tiresome in the least, and parents will be relieved to see the Bears have soul, not just in their tunes but also in their intentions as well. Only the crustiest curmudgeon will complain that none of the humans in the film question the fact that the bears talk, walk upright, wear clothing, and can play guitar. This warm and fuzzy winner was drummed out of theaters by tepid reviews (a situation which unfortunately may preclude sequels), but the small screen at home may be the best place to watch this anyway. The Country Bears deserves an audience.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 12/17/2002
  • UPC: 786936164893
  • Original Release: 2002

    • Rating:

  • Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Christopher Walken Reed Thimple
Stephen Tobolowsky Norbert Barrington
Daryl Mitchell Officer Hamm
M.C. Gainey Roadie
Diedrich Bader Officer Cheets, Voice Only
Alex Rocco Rip Holland
Meagen Fay Mrs. Barrington
Eli Marienthal Dex Barrington
Queen Latifah Cha-Cha
Krystal Marie Harris Herself
Don Henley Himself
Wyclef Jean Himself
Elton John Himself
Willie Nelson Himself
Bonnie Raitt Herself
Brian Setzer Himself
Don Was HImself
Xzibit Xzibit
Haley Joel Osment Voice Only
Candy Ford Voice Only
James Gammon Voice Only
Brad Garrett Voice Only
Toby Huss Voice Only
Kevin Richardson Voice Only
Stephen Root Zeb Zoober
Charles S. Dutton
John Hiatt
Richard Kind
Technical Credits
Peter Hastings Director
C. Mitchell Amundsen Cinematographer
Maria Baker Art Director
Dan Bishop Production Designer
George Bowers Editor
Jeffrey Chernov Producer
Nora Felder Musical Direction/Supervision
Mary Finn Set Decoration/Design
Seth Flaum Editor
Andrew Gunn Producer
John Hiatt Songwriter
Kathe Klopp Set Decoration/Design
Ruth Lambert Casting
Steve Nelson Sound/Sound Designer
Mark Perez Screenwriter
John G. Scotti Associate Producer, Asst. Director
Genevieve Tyrrell Costumes/Costume Designer
Christopher Young Score Composer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

4 Star

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3 Star

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2 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Beautiful Movie

    this movie has a lot to offer: comedy, love, and romance. it's a great movie for kids and family. i am 15, and i think this movie is both moving and inspiring to anyone. if you follow your dreams, you can do anything! Beary proved that in this movie. it is a must-see!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 15, 2004

    Unforgetable!

    This movie was so awsome! I love it! Its got Comedy, Romance, and its defiantly a family movie. This movie was incredable!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 2, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews