"We're Going on a Bear Hunt" is a 24-minute animated short film from Great Britain and this one came out for the 2016 holidays, so it is still relatively fresh. It is a bit of a tradition that there is at least one new animated short film from the UK each year that runs for half an hour and is released during the days of Christmas and here we have the most recent installment to that tradition. The director and one of the writers is Joanna Harrison, a longtime animator who has worked on several well-received animated film since the 1970s and was also the person mostly in charge of the recent "The Snowman and the Snowdog". Looking at the subject of bears, it is a bit of a return to the roots for her. You will find the details if you take a look at her body of work. Anyway, the perfect adjective to not describe this film here is "spectacular". The animation is easy to identify with the character design and landscapes looking very similar to the Snowman short films and this is Harrison's approach to her genre. I like it. It very subtle and chilly and takes tension out of dramatic moments (like the bear running wildly after the humans), which makes it a very acceptable watch for kids also. Yes in terms of the story, it is true that nothing happens almost, but it does not take away from the film's appeal. The comedy is delivered through the heart and cuteness and I like this approach as well. All in all, a fairly decent watch for people from all age groups I believe. This could also have been named "The Bear Hug".
14 Reviews
A nice enough way to spend half an hour
TheLittleSongbird4 January 2017
Michael Rosen's 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' was a family and school favourite for years.
To this day it still holds up as a timeless and immensely charming piece of literature, with wonderful illustrations, that the whole family can enjoy. It is also one of those rare cases where repetition is not a bad thing. In 2016, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' was adapted as a 30-minute animation, shown over the Christmas holidays.
Despite the initial scepticism as to whether a great, but admittedly slight, story like 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' would work this way, it turned out to be better than expected and passes the time nicely. Not a great adaptation as such, but stands more than serviceably on its own two feet.
With that being said, it is easy to see why anybody who grew up with 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' would be disappointed. 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' (2016) from personal opinion would have worked better as 10-15 minute short film. While there are bits that are recognisable and a good enough job is done making the most out of the lovely if repetitive text, some parts did feel like padding, that didn't always add to or enhance the storytelling as it could have done, stretched to fill a somewhat too long running time.
Can also definitely understand any criticisms regarding the darker and more melancholic ending. Thought it was rather moving myself, but at the same time it did feel at odds with the rest of the story tonally, which in comparison was lighter, more gentle and more upbeat.
However, there is no denying that 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' is very well made and beautifully animated, the level of detail and how gorgeously it was all drawn was staggering. The music is also a perfect fit, with an appropriate understated whimsy and lushness.
Execution of the story is not perfect, but there is still plenty of charm in the telling of it and there is always more than enough to keep the whole family's attention. As well as plenty to please both children and adults, neither ever too complicated or too simple, with enough moments to laugh, cry and aw over.
Furthermore, the characters carry 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' well and are endearing and the voice acting is very good all round. While Pam Ferris and Mark Williams are the most famous names, it was really interesting and an added bonus to have Rosen himself voicing the bear, and very well too.
Overall, a half an hour well spent but could have been shorter. 7/10 Bethany Cox
To this day it still holds up as a timeless and immensely charming piece of literature, with wonderful illustrations, that the whole family can enjoy. It is also one of those rare cases where repetition is not a bad thing. In 2016, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' was adapted as a 30-minute animation, shown over the Christmas holidays.
Despite the initial scepticism as to whether a great, but admittedly slight, story like 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' would work this way, it turned out to be better than expected and passes the time nicely. Not a great adaptation as such, but stands more than serviceably on its own two feet.
With that being said, it is easy to see why anybody who grew up with 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' would be disappointed. 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' (2016) from personal opinion would have worked better as 10-15 minute short film. While there are bits that are recognisable and a good enough job is done making the most out of the lovely if repetitive text, some parts did feel like padding, that didn't always add to or enhance the storytelling as it could have done, stretched to fill a somewhat too long running time.
Can also definitely understand any criticisms regarding the darker and more melancholic ending. Thought it was rather moving myself, but at the same time it did feel at odds with the rest of the story tonally, which in comparison was lighter, more gentle and more upbeat.
However, there is no denying that 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' is very well made and beautifully animated, the level of detail and how gorgeously it was all drawn was staggering. The music is also a perfect fit, with an appropriate understated whimsy and lushness.
Execution of the story is not perfect, but there is still plenty of charm in the telling of it and there is always more than enough to keep the whole family's attention. As well as plenty to please both children and adults, neither ever too complicated or too simple, with enough moments to laugh, cry and aw over.
Furthermore, the characters carry 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' well and are endearing and the voice acting is very good all round. While Pam Ferris and Mark Williams are the most famous names, it was really interesting and an added bonus to have Rosen himself voicing the bear, and very well too.
Overall, a half an hour well spent but could have been shorter. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Who goes bear
Prismark1025 December 2016
Michael Rosen's 1989 tale, We're Going on a Bear Hunt has delighted toddlers for years. A tale I read to my own children when they were young.
Four children go for a ramble singing a song about hunting a bear, they are going to catch a big one. Of course Rosen has expressed the words in a way to develop their language skills as they decide if they can go over it, under it or just go through it.
The story was wonderfully illustrated by Helen Oxenbury and now it has been turned into a 30 minutes animated cartoon by Channel 4.
However what should be a 10 minutes cartoon has now been reimagined for the longer running time. It left my son rather confused as he saw bits that he never recalled being in the book.
The cartoon ends up being rather melancholy as it turns to the concept of loss and grief, the children's grandpa having recently died. It also turns to loneliness as the bear is alone and without a friend as he wanders back into his cave. Maybe small kids could end up being less than enchanted over Christmas due to a misjudged ending.
The animation was very good, a lot of detail here and there and of course there is plenty of snow being made by the same company that made The Snowman and the Snowdog.
Four children go for a ramble singing a song about hunting a bear, they are going to catch a big one. Of course Rosen has expressed the words in a way to develop their language skills as they decide if they can go over it, under it or just go through it.
The story was wonderfully illustrated by Helen Oxenbury and now it has been turned into a 30 minutes animated cartoon by Channel 4.
However what should be a 10 minutes cartoon has now been reimagined for the longer running time. It left my son rather confused as he saw bits that he never recalled being in the book.
The cartoon ends up being rather melancholy as it turns to the concept of loss and grief, the children's grandpa having recently died. It also turns to loneliness as the bear is alone and without a friend as he wanders back into his cave. Maybe small kids could end up being less than enchanted over Christmas due to a misjudged ending.
The animation was very good, a lot of detail here and there and of course there is plenty of snow being made by the same company that made The Snowman and the Snowdog.
Beautiful, Deep, Sad, Real
jesusfreaktechie22 January 2019
The music in this film is lovely, the animation is beautiful, the theme is deep and real. For anyone who has ever dealt with loss, this film resonates in a beautiful way. My three year old asks to watch this with me over and over, and loves it.
Wish I had known...
andyengland17 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't read Michael Rosen's book but my 4 year old daughter has and enjoys it at school. When she saw this title in DVD she asked me to buy it - so I did. There's no clue in the title that this might be about death and loneliness. As a child that lost her Grandfather(my father) just 8 months prior, I would have bought her anything but this. By the end we were both left miserable and I had to excuse myself and go and cry in the other room.
Apparently, in the book, the bear comes back and they hug and somebody say's "I love you!" so at least there's that. In this nada! Just a lonely bear trudging back to it's cave and a wistful girl looking out the window missing either her grandpa, the bear or both.
I'm so glad we didn't watch it at Christmas.
Apparently, in the book, the bear comes back and they hug and somebody say's "I love you!" so at least there's that. In this nada! Just a lonely bear trudging back to it's cave and a wistful girl looking out the window missing either her grandpa, the bear or both.
I'm so glad we didn't watch it at Christmas.
Deeper story
acitra126 August 2018
Remake ruined my childhood
katiefowler-3697726 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I always loved this story as a child and when I found out there was going to be a film I was reasonably excited. First, the animation was amateur and the characters had no like ability. The only character who was likable was the bear, and instead of a happy ending, the story ended with the poor lonely bear walking back to his cave. Meanwhile, the young girl had seemingly forgot about the creature! My 12 year old was even left in tears! I wouldn't recommend this to anyone and I feel that young children will be devastated with the sad ending. I thought Christmas was a cheerful time, but obviously not. If I was you I would stick to the classic festive movies, rather than depressing short films like this.
emotional a bit, and naive
NijazBaBs23 April 2021
I am amazed by the nature, simplicity, sweetness, and all this reminds me of childhood, vacations, enjoyment in nature. Also the ability to be friend with bear looks like one of typical fairy tales or dreams. But the title and movie are looking so naive and dangerous. Makes no logic or sense that anybody, especially kids will go on bear hunt, and get scared and not even trying to hunt it then. Looks like bad example of sarcasm. Not as magical as better cartoon like The Snowman and the Snowdog (2012).
This made my 3 year old cry
fionamacp5 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I have just watched this with my 3 year old. We cosied up together to watch what I thought was going to be a treat.
It turned out to be desperately sad- I felt like crying, let alone my 3 year old who was distraught at the end.
Who on earth decided to turn this lovely original story into such a gut wrencher? What a great shame. The animation is beautiful, but I will probably be asked many questions that I don't think a 3 year old needs to deal with yet. I wish we had known, I would never have watched it.
Very good adaptation of the classic Children's Picture books from the year 2016
rebeccaajclarke3 December 2022
I remember this children's story book, When I was in primary school and I like it, The Hand-Drawn Animated adaptation of the story did captured the illustrations very well, the music score, the voice acting and it captured the story book's spirit very well, It is very faithful to the book, It is about the teenage boy and his younger siblings are going on a bear hunt, But when the family saw the bear, They will go back home very safely, It is very good story for children for all generations from the 1990's to the present time, It is very Charming and very Delightful, I'm giving this adaptation of the story book a 9/10 and Merry Christmas.
Even more painful than the book
declan-328 August 2020
Lord knows why but all my 3 kids liked me reading this book. I always disliked it and actually hid it so i didn't have to go through the mundanity of repeating it every night.
I put this on as a treat for the kids and regretted it within 2 minutes. It's actually been the worst thing I've done all through lockdown.
We thought this would be a nice, pleasant, relaxing cartoon prior to bed. But no... Instead they went to bed sad and depressed and feeling sad for the bear and unnecessarily miserable girl.
Worse, my kids now never want to go on a walk again which means lockdown can only get worse.
I put this on as a treat for the kids and regretted it within 2 minutes. It's actually been the worst thing I've done all through lockdown.
We thought this would be a nice, pleasant, relaxing cartoon prior to bed. But no... Instead they went to bed sad and depressed and feeling sad for the bear and unnecessarily miserable girl.
Worse, my kids now never want to go on a walk again which means lockdown can only get worse.
Beautiful and charming adaptation
KAB_SanAntonioBay14 March 2020
Captures the spirit of the book beautifully, right down to the last page. Needless to say, to expand this into a short feature means adding some new layers and dialogue but this merely adds depth and structure to the story. Weaved within is everything you want from the original book, alongside perfectly crafted animation that evokes perfectly the source material. Our family and three children loved it, notably our three year old who screamed with joy at the sight of "a bear".
Brought a tear to my eye. Loved it.
Brought a tear to my eye. Loved it.
This is how children die!
romanstnt6 April 2020
A good story doesn't need fancy animation and I was looking for a beautiful story to be told in the simple lines of this short animation.
But as the story progressed, I kept thinking to myself, "This is how children die!" This is not healthy exploration, but a bunch of kids taking unnecessary risks. There are at least two times, that if this was real life, these kids would not have made it.
Yes, it's symbolic of a deeper meaning, but stories have to be believable, and this one is not believable.
Still worth watching for the beauty that it could have been.
Immature and dull.
adamjohns-425756 January 2022
We're Going On A Bear Hunt (2016)-
I don't remember the book from my own childhood and that might be because it's a really boring story or because I never owned it. Either way there is no sense of nostalgia here for me and so this review is purely based on my thoughts of the film today.
It is a lot weaker than the others of the same type. For me 'The Snowman' (1982) will always reign supreme as the best short cartoon film, but that one does hold a lot of memories for me. However, even held up against the more recent films like 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea' (2019) or The Snail And The Whale' (2019), Bear Hunt just doesn't work for me. It is missing a key ingredient that I can't quite put my finger on.
It seems to try to include various facts about bears in an educational way, but would a bear really live in a cave on a beach? Or is that bit not one of the real facts and is the Bear in actual fact a metaphor for the recently deceased Grandad? Or is the cave just where the youngest child has lost his own Teddy bear? It's not altogether clear and I'm not sure what we are supposed to take away from it unless we are just supposed to enjoy it for the bright colours that might appeal to a very young audience, even then they aren't that bright (The colours, not the audience, necessarily?).
It was also odd that it was snowing at one point and they were wearing shorts. It didn't seem to know what season it was or where it was set and again it was unclear whether this was all just part of the imagined adventure or not.
Artistically, it was pretty and it wasn't overly cast with huge celebrity names, which made no difference as I've always said, but I do have to wonder if it is literature like this that might be giving us generations of youth with no real idea what a good story is. People that might buy 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' and actually enjoy reading it when they're older?
I wouldn't watch it again in any hurry and probably only when I've forgotten that I've seen it before.
346.76/1000.
I don't remember the book from my own childhood and that might be because it's a really boring story or because I never owned it. Either way there is no sense of nostalgia here for me and so this review is purely based on my thoughts of the film today.
It is a lot weaker than the others of the same type. For me 'The Snowman' (1982) will always reign supreme as the best short cartoon film, but that one does hold a lot of memories for me. However, even held up against the more recent films like 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea' (2019) or The Snail And The Whale' (2019), Bear Hunt just doesn't work for me. It is missing a key ingredient that I can't quite put my finger on.
It seems to try to include various facts about bears in an educational way, but would a bear really live in a cave on a beach? Or is that bit not one of the real facts and is the Bear in actual fact a metaphor for the recently deceased Grandad? Or is the cave just where the youngest child has lost his own Teddy bear? It's not altogether clear and I'm not sure what we are supposed to take away from it unless we are just supposed to enjoy it for the bright colours that might appeal to a very young audience, even then they aren't that bright (The colours, not the audience, necessarily?).
It was also odd that it was snowing at one point and they were wearing shorts. It didn't seem to know what season it was or where it was set and again it was unclear whether this was all just part of the imagined adventure or not.
Artistically, it was pretty and it wasn't overly cast with huge celebrity names, which made no difference as I've always said, but I do have to wonder if it is literature like this that might be giving us generations of youth with no real idea what a good story is. People that might buy 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' and actually enjoy reading it when they're older?
I wouldn't watch it again in any hurry and probably only when I've forgotten that I've seen it before.
346.76/1000.
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