Two Brothers is a rare animal indeed: a critter movie that's not just for kids, boasting well-drawn, well-acted human roles that are more than just sidekicks for the stars of the show--two extraordinarily expressive Asian tigers named Kumal and Sangha. Guy Pearce (Memento) is especially good as a famous, rogue-like adventurer and unscrupulous treasure profiteer in 1920s French Indochina, who becomes an occasional fixture in the lives of the young tigers when he rescues them after they're captured by hunters. But his own misfortune (he's arrested for looting archeological sites) leads to one being sold to a gypsy circus, where his spirit is broken, and the other becoming a trained killer in the emperor's private zoo. Co-writer and director Jean-Jacques Annaud (The Bear) gives Two Brothers a nice balance between animal instinct and human ego as his story unfolds in unexpected ways with uncommon depth, touching on issues of imperialism, nobility, cultural and environmental preservation, and animal cruelty--all without seeming the least bit preachy. Most impressive though is the way the tigers seem to genuinely understand their characters. But that's not possible...is it? Recommended. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director Jean-Jacques Annaud, the text segment “Jean-Jacques Annaud's Journal” (with optional commentary), the 35-minute documentary “Wild About Tigers” featuring star Guy Pearce, the production featurettes “Tiger Brothers” (4 min.), “Tiger Trainers” (5 min.), “Tiger Tech” on special effects (3 min.), “Tiger Cam” (3 min.), “Location Scouting” (3 min.), and “Costume Design” (2 min.), a five-minute storyboard comparison segment, the brief segment “Call of the Wild,” and DVD-ROM features. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a wonderful film.] (R. Blackwelder)
Two Brothers
Universal, 109 min., PG, VHS: $23.98, DVD: $29.98, Dec. 21 Volume 19, Issue 6
Two Brothers
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