Country Bears

This topic contains:

• details about Country Bears' classification and consumer advice lines
• a review of Country Bears completed by Young Media Australia (YMA) on 18 January 2003.

About the movie

This section contains details about the movie, including its classification by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) and the associated consumer advice lines.

YMA review

This review of the movie Country Bears contains the following information:

• a synopsis of the story
• use of violence
• sexual references, nudity and sexual activity
• use of alcohol and other drugs
• coarse language
• the movie's message
• overall comments

A synopsis of the story

In a world where bears and humans are almost equals, a group of legendary singers, The Country Bears, rise to fame. Years later Beary, a 10-year-old bear adopted by a human family, sets off to find his destiny and a place where he fits in. He heads straight for Country Bear Hall, the home of his heroes, The Country Bears. He arrives to find Country Bear Hall practically deserted, filled only with images of its former glory and tended by the ex-manager of the bears (Henry), a Handyman (Big Al) and (Zeke) the old tour bus driver. Everyone except Beary appears to have forgotten Country Bear Hall and The Country Bears. A mean bank manager is determined to foreclose and demolish Country Bear Hall unless Henry and Big Al can come up with a way to get $20,000 within the following four days.

Against ongoing opposition Beary comes up with the plan of getting the Country Bears back together to do a benefit concert to save the hall. So Henry, Beary and Zeke set off to get the band members back together again. Along the way they face misled police officers, a scheming agent and a kidnapping bank manager who are all trying to stall the performance. However they also encounter hundreds of fans who show that they have not forgotten the "fabulous" Country Bears. Against all odds the bears arrive back at Country Bear Hall just in time for the performance that not only saves the hall, but also restores the faith that the young bear has nearly lost in his heroes.

Use of violence

The film has a fairly moderate amount of violence. Most of it is quite low-key; however there is one more serious instance when the Country Bears are kidnapped at gunpoint by a disgruntled bank manager. It is a tranquilliser gun that is used but many young children would not be able to distinguish the difference. Other scenes where violence occurs are as follows:

• We see a father continuously whacking his son over the head with a newspaper at the breakfast table
• When the Country Bears win a music competition the "runner-up" gets very angry and starts throwing whatever is in reach. A flying chair hits one of the Country Bears.
• The Country Bears are seen watching a low budget cartoon of themselves in which they are being chased by an alien who is shooting at them. The alien's space ship crashes at the end.
• Fred punches Ted (both members of the Country Bears) in the face at a wedding and Ted falls down apparently knocked out.
• The disgruntled bank manager is seen in his office repeatedly crushing Country Bear Hall with a large iron weight.
• There is a scene in which a boat crashes through a building destroying everything in its path, stopping just in time to knock down the gate that is holding the bears captive.
• There is a slapstick car-wash scene where two officers are yanked out of their car and proceed to be rolled and tossed through the carwash bristles and brushes. Towards the end they are somewhat scalded by the hot wax and are then blown dry only to fall down hard on the ground. Neither officer is hurt and at some stages they appear to be having fun.

Sexual references, nudity and sexual activity

There are no sexual references or nudity in this film.

Use of alcohol and other drugs

There is no overt use of drugs or alcohol in this film. However there is a subtle undercurrent of alcohol abuse, though it is not addressed as such. One of the Country bears, Zeb, appears to be addicted to the succulent nectar of honey. It is said that he "never gave up the honey." There is a bar scene that looks much like a normal bar, the main difference is that the bottles and kegs contain honey instead of alcohol. This scene and these references appear to be in keeping with the stereotype that some musicians may in fact have substance abuse problems.

Coarse language

The film does not contain any coarse language' although there is a fair amount of name-calling.

The movie's message

The main message from this movie is that family are those who love you no matter what and that it is OK to be different because everyone has their own talents and capacities. It took Beary's running away from home for him to actually learn that lesson. The film is also about following your dreams and finding your destiny. Beary knew there was something special about himself and he set off to find it. The movie shows how hard work and determination pay off in the end as the bears get to keep Country Bear Hall.

Some values shown in this movie that parents might like to encourage are determination, loyalty, resourcefulness, equality, helpfulness and politeness.

Some values that parents may wish to discourage are deceitfulness, hypocrisy, revenge and hopelessness.

Overall comments

This film is really targeted to a younger audience, although adults who accompany their children may also enjoy it. The bears are incredibly "life-like" with such realistic facial expressions that at times it is easy to forget that they are not human. There is a lot of singing, mostly country, and there are a number of singers who make cameo appearances. The film contains some slapstick comical scenes that would appeal to a wider audience.

Country Bears is generally suitable for all ages however,

Children under 7
Generally OK, but some children may need reassurance from a parent in some of the scary scenes listed above.

Children aged 8-12
Would be able to watch this without their parents being present although some parents may like to discuss some of the issues raised with their children.

Children over the age of 12
Would be able to view this film with or without parental guidance