Jeremy Suarez gives quick-witted children enough personality to hold their own with forceful adults. His warm, husky Koda makes Brother Bear worth hearing, though we value the friendship with Joaquin Phoenix's Kenai more than the film.
Fi1m perspective
Koda talks readily in Brother Bear (2003), with a husky eagerness that Jeremy Suarez makes easy to warm to. There is enough personality in the voice to keep the cub's chatter agreeable. Alongside Joaquin Phoenix's Kenai, he gives a familiar story a relationship worth following. It is a modest but worthwhile achievement in a film that keeps stopping to explain its moral. We can enjoy their company without needing another lesson in understanding.
His early screen work included Tyson Tidwell, the son of Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character in Jerry Maguire (1996). The more substantial opportunity came with Jordan Thomkins, the quick-witted nephew in The Bernie Mac Show (2001–2006). Across 104 episodes, Suarez supplied a child's answer to Bernie Mac's tough-love parenting. The set-up gives the younger actor something to do with his quick wit, and a co-star whose sternness makes those replies count.
Brother Bear gives that energy a gentler use, with Suarez helping to make the bond between the bears worth caring about. We were touched by their friendship because Phoenix puts enough warmth into Kenai's voice to make the plea for understanding matter. Suarez contributes a lively presence, though the feeling comes from the pair, and Phoenix deserves a substantial share of the credit. The expressive hand-drawn animation helps, too, giving the performances a sympathetic setting. Our reservations concern the familiar story and the insistent songs, which keep announcing feelings the actors can convey without assistance.
Suarez returned as Koda in Brother Bear 2 (2006), but his later career has offered fewer prominent adult parts. Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie (2014), in which he plays sidekick Cooper Folly, is one of the later live-action credits. Those credits give us less basis for judging what he might do as an adult lead. We would not turn a shortage of opportunities into a verdict on his ability. Koda is worth hearing; sitting through Brother Bear means accepting a fair amount of instruction as well.
Biography
Jeremy Suarez is an American actor. Born in Burbank, California, he began his career as a child performer and made his feature film debut as Tyson Tidwell in Jerry Maguire (1996).
Suarez is best known for portraying Jordan Thomkins on the sitcom The Bernie Mac Show (2001–2006). He voiced Koda in the Disney animated films Brother Bear (2003) and Brother Bear 2 (2006). His other credits include The Ladykillers (2004), Fat Albert (2004) and voice roles in King of the Hill and Zambezia (2012).
He has received nominations for two NAACP Image Awards, two Young Artist Awards and an Annie Award. Suarez has also appeared in guest roles on series including Chicago Hope and Hey Arnold!.
