Disney Brings You Brother Bear 2.

Sorry folks, I can’t pretend to get excited about another one of Disney’s direct to sequel animated flicks, especially when it’s to one of the animated movies that didn’t excite me enough to go see it in the first place (although I’ve been told I’m wrong about that). This time the sequel is Brother Bear 2, a follow up to the 2003 animated movie Brother Bear featuring the voice talents of Patrick Dempsey, Wanda Sykes, and Mandy Moore. Is there any animated movie Wanda Sykes won’t do? Apparently Phil Collins continues his disinterest in sequels (he composed music for Disney’s Tarzan but not the sequels), so Melissa Etheridge is filling in.

The story follows Kenai as he emerges from his first hibernation. That means Spring is in the air, at least for Kenai’s friends Rutt and Tuke, although Kenai and his brother Koda seem immune, at least until one of Kenai’s childhood friends, Nita, reappears with an old amulet he gave her. Now Kenai and Nita must travel back to their old stomping grounds to get rid of the amulet before Nita can marry. Along the way, they renew their friendship and discover what plans the Great Spirits have in store for them.

Here’s what Disney’s telling us will be on the disc:

• 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• English DD5.1 & DTS 5.1 Surround
• French & Spanish DD5.1 Surround
• ”Behind the Music of Brother Bear 2” Featurette
• Music Video with Melissa Etheridge
• ”Trample Off, Eh?” Interactive Game

I’m always wary of DVDs that still list 5.1 surround sound and anamorphic widescreen as a feature these days, but who knows, maybe this movie will be good. Some of the other direct to video sequels were tolerable and a couple were even good. We’ll see when Brother Bear 2 hits DVD on August 29th.