Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a solid, well-made nature documentary that does exactly what it sets out to do: show you a year in the life of Alaskan brown bears with gorgeous cinematography and gentle narration. It's educational without being preachy, sweet without being saccharine, and real without being traumatizing.

That said, let's be honest: in 2025, getting kids to watch a 78-minute documentary about bears requires either a genuine love of animals or some serious parental motivation. This isn't Bluey-level instant engagement. It's contemplative, slow in places, and asks kids to care about actual wildlife rather than anthropomorphized cartoon characters.

If your kid is an animal lover who devours nature content, this is genuinely great. If they're used to constant stimulation and rapid cuts, they might tap out after 20 minutes. The Disneynature brand delivers quality here, but it won't magically transform a kid who's indifferent to wildlife into a budding zoologist.

Bottom line: A wholesome, enriching choice for the right audience, but know your kid before committing to movie night.

Age Fit

Sweet spot is 6-10 year olds who genuinely love animals and can sit through a real documentary. Younger kids might get restless; older kids might find it 'babyish' unless they're nature enthusiasts.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Disneynature documentary following a bear family through cooperation, nurturing, and natural life cycles. Models maternal care and sibling bonds without anthropomorphizing excessively. Some predator tension is age-appropriate and educational rather than gratuitous. Pacing is gentle and contemplative, suitable for younger viewers.

Imaginative

68

Stunning cinematography of Alaskan wilderness invites curiosity about nature and wildlife. However, as a documentary it's primarily observational rather than interactive or creative-expression-focused. Inspires wonder about the natural world but doesn't actively engage problem-solving or building skills. Limited replay value compared to narrative films.

Safe

88

Common Sense Media rates it for age 6+, and content is predictably nature-focused without graphic violence, though natural predation and risk are present (bears fighting, danger from other animals). No inappropriate content, toxicity, or unexpected triggers. Circle-of-life themes are handled gently. The main 'peril' is telegraphed and age-appropriate for the documentary format.

Enriching

79

Solid educational value about wildlife, ecosystems, hibernation, and animal behavior. Builds empathy for wildlife and environmental awareness. Strong critical reception (88% RT critics, 7.3 IMDb) indicates quality filmmaking. However, 78-minute runtime and documentary pacing may challenge attention spans. Teaches perseverance and family bonds through observation.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Stunning cinematography that makes Alaska look absolutely breathtaking—legitimately beautiful filmmaking
Teaches real wildlife biology, survival skills, and ecosystem dynamics without feeling preachy or boring
Models maternal care and family cooperation in a genuinely heartwarming way
No Disney princess nonsense—just actual bears doing actual bear things, which is refreshing
Perfect for sparking conversations about conservation, nature, and respecting wildlife

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What to Watch For

Some scenes show bears fighting each other and predator threats—nothing graphic, but sensitive kids might find it tense
Documentary pacing means slower moments that might lose kids used to rapid-fire YouTube content
Circle-of-life themes include hunting and the reality that not all animals survive—handled gently but present
At 78 minutes, it's asking for genuine attention span commitment from the TikTok generation

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think mama bear Sky has to be so careful about other bears? What makes them dangerous?"
"What was the hardest thing the cubs had to learn? What's something hard you've had to learn?"
"How do bears know when to hibernate and when to wake up? What tells them it's time?"
"If you were a bear cub, would you rather be Scout or Amber? Why?"
"What would happen to bears if their habitat disappeared? How can we help protect wild places?"

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