First off, I am sorry that this troubled guy lost his life. I wouldn't go as far as saying he deserved it, but his death was to be expected; I think there's a great reason that humans and wild animals live apart, and always should.
That said, this film was a letdown. Aside from Timothy's CONSTANT reminders that he's doing a lot for the bears, I didn't really understand what exactly he was doing other than keeping himself entertained in his little private bear fantasy world. From the first clip of Timothy, he's instantly unlikable and self congratulatory about the "work" he's doing. He's like one of these people that give themselves nicknames.
As the film progresses, it becomes more evident just how troubled this guy was. Again, I want to stress that I don't think this dismisses his death, but, as a film viewer, it's less tragic when something like Timothy's tragic end happens to someone you don't really care for.
The story is interesting, but I would have liked it much more had the main character been a bit more altruistic and a bit less annoying and self-centered. I believe Timothy was doing more for himself than the bears. His private sanctuary gave him something to do and it wasn't clear to me that the bears got anything out of it.
It reminded me of a clip from "Born Free" where her husband realizes that Joy Adamson (right name??) has interfered in the natural course of the cubs' lives and has caused possibly irreparable harm by interfering. Joy, to her credit, agreed and turned everything around for the benefit of the animals. She successfully un-domesticated the cubs and set them free. She also agreed never to touch any future offspring, no matter how tempting. All interference was undone.
Timothy ain't Joy.
That said, this film was a letdown. Aside from Timothy's CONSTANT reminders that he's doing a lot for the bears, I didn't really understand what exactly he was doing other than keeping himself entertained in his little private bear fantasy world. From the first clip of Timothy, he's instantly unlikable and self congratulatory about the "work" he's doing. He's like one of these people that give themselves nicknames.
As the film progresses, it becomes more evident just how troubled this guy was. Again, I want to stress that I don't think this dismisses his death, but, as a film viewer, it's less tragic when something like Timothy's tragic end happens to someone you don't really care for.
The story is interesting, but I would have liked it much more had the main character been a bit more altruistic and a bit less annoying and self-centered. I believe Timothy was doing more for himself than the bears. His private sanctuary gave him something to do and it wasn't clear to me that the bears got anything out of it.
It reminded me of a clip from "Born Free" where her husband realizes that Joy Adamson (right name??) has interfered in the natural course of the cubs' lives and has caused possibly irreparable harm by interfering. Joy, to her credit, agreed and turned everything around for the benefit of the animals. She successfully un-domesticated the cubs and set them free. She also agreed never to touch any future offspring, no matter how tempting. All interference was undone.
Timothy ain't Joy.