Grizzly Falls MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1/2

At first GRIZZLY FALLS may not sound too original since its a story about a boy and a grizzly bear in a wilderness area. But this family film has a unique story line and some very professional acting, cinematography and directing. It revolves around a 10-year-old boy named Harry Bankston (Daniel Clark) on a bear hunting expedition with his father, who is kidnapped by an unusually intelligent grizzly bear. His father (Bryan Brown) and a wilderness guide launch out on an arduous, but determined search to find Harry. While the search goes on, Harry and the bear become close companions and Harry learns to survive in the wilderness. Their adventures together are both intriguing and humorous, but Harry eventually attempts a daring escape to return to his father. Of course, the story departs from realism in some respects, but this fast moving, entertaining adventure will appeal primarily to children over 7 years of age. Parents may also find this well-made film entertaining.

Harrys father was on a trip when his wife died. And because he was not there to take care of her, tries to make up for it by being a good father. He demonstrates his caring love for Harry by risking his life to rescue him from his grizzly captor. Some men on the bear-hunting team engage in fierce hand-to-hand fights and, in an intense, bloody scene, one man is mauled by a grizzly bear. Other characters are also threatened by ferocious bears and wild animals. But none of these incidents are gratuitous or prolonged. One of the men uses the phrase "Jesus, Mary and Joseph" twice in an irreverent, exclamatory manner, and a few mild and moderate crude words are spoken, possibly to avoid a G rating. But there are no other questionable elements in the film and some traditional values are presented favorably. However, it is probably too intense for children under 8 years of age. If not for the irreverent use of religious names, Preview could give its whole-hearted recommendation to GRIZZLY FALLS.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Providence Entertainment, (818) 728-9700