
Bears
Seen it?2014 | 78 min | Documentary
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. If you loved Earth, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 18 min.
- What might put you off
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey chronicle a year in the lives of an Alaskan brown bear named Sky and her cubs, Scout and Amber. Their saga begins as the bears emerge from hibernation at the end of winter. As time passes, the bear family must work together to find food and stay safe from other predators, especially other bears. Although their world is exciting, it is also risky, and the cubs' survival hinges on family togetherness.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
0 wins and 2 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$21 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 17K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
EarthSaturday SpecialAlso from director Alastair Fothergill, though it's a different kind of film: a documentary that's easy to miss.
14 Peaks: Nothing Is ImpossibleSunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
African CatsWeeknight WatchAlso from director Keith Scholey, though it's a different kind of film: a documentary, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
BlackfishFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed documentary.
Beyond Infinity: Buzz and the Journey to LightyearMonday Morning MaybeAnother documentary. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Keith Scholey, Alastair Fothergill
- John C. ReillySelf - Narrator (voice)