“The Little Bear Movie” (2001)

The Little Bear Movie

Also known as: 

Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear: The Little Bear Movie; 

Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear: The Movie; 

and Little Bear: The Movie.

Brief Description:

Little Bear meets a wild bear cub named Cub during a camping trip. Upon learning that Cub got separated from his parents, Little Bear and his friends embark on a journey to help him reunite with his parents while coming face-to-face with a ferocious mountain lion along the way.

(from Wikipedia)

Date: 2001

Genre: Canadian-American direct-to-video children’s animated adventure film

Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes 

Cast: 

Kristin Fairlie (Little Bear)

Kyle Fairlie (Cub)

Amos Crawley (Owl)

Tracy Ryan (Duck)

Andrew Sabiston (Cat)

Elizabeth Hanna (Hen)

Wayne Best (Mountain Lion)

Ray Landry (Moose)

Janet Laine-Green (Mother Bear)

Dan Hennessey (Father Bear)

Max Morrow (Little Moose)

Catherine Disher (Mother Moose)

Cole Caplan & Ada Perlman (Poppy & Pete)

Maurice Dean Wint (Cub’s Father)

Alison Sealy-Smith (Cub’s Mother

Director: Raymond Jafelice

Production company: Nelvana Limited, Wild Things Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, & Alliance Atlantis.

Based on: 

The Little Bear Series by Else Holmelund Minarik &Maurice Sendak

Wikipedia page

Watch on YouTube

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4/5

If you’ve watched the Little Bear TV Show, this film fits perfectly into that world and setting. I love the portrayal of the Canadian-American wilderness. It’s all so nostalgic and simple, but also realistic. 

Characters: 4/5

Little Bear is a cutie, and Cub—well, I always love the “wild ones.” Duck is, as always, an adorable idiot; Owl is a hoot (no pun intended); Cat is highly amusing; and well, Hen is all right. She never was my favourite… I love Mother & Father Bear—they’re so lovely! And Moose from the show got a cameo! Little Moose reminds me of Franklin’s friend Moose. xD Poppy & Pete are cute, too. 

Plot: 4/5

I love how the film starts with Little Bear & his father heading out to Pudding Hill for a camping trip, harking back to a couple episodes in the show. The scene where he learns about the dangers of the wilderness, courtesy of the mountain lion and Cub, is pretty cool. I love the return home, and the patience of Mother & Father Bear with Cub. The children all play so nicely together—and I love the search party! There’s some anxious moments, but everything wraps up perfectly. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5

Kids being separated from parents seems to be a small theme; otherwise, kindness, playing nicely, working together, and sensitivity are low-key messages. 

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Storms, threat of being eaten by the mountain lion. 

Overall: 4/5

A very cute and well done little film!