I just got back from a free Advance Preview screening of Brave at the Hoffman Theater (Thank, Disney!). I took my seven year old daughter, who, as a result of her recent birthday, already owns eight Brave dolls, a bow and arrow, a costume, the Brave: Temple Run app and several story/coloring books about the movie. Needless to say, she was vested.
Brave tells the story of Princess Merida and her quest to change her fate. Until now, Princesses have been the purview of Disney's traditional animation division. With Brave, Pixar breaks the royal seal and, as usual, who works excels.
Brave tells the story of Princess Merida and her quest to change her fate. Until now, Princesses have been the purview of Disney's traditional animation division. With Brave, Pixar breaks the royal seal and, as usual, who works excels.
I've heard Tiana from Princess and the Frog described as the modern princess role model who works for her goals and doesn't need a prince to make her whole. However, at the
end of the day, Princess and the Frog is a love story and, like it or not, a prince was a necessary prerequisite for a happy ending. Brave is an action movie, so Merida is allowed to take the modern princess to another level. Merida is as fiery as her hair and challenges both fate and tradition to become the first truly free spirited Princess.
end of the day, Princess and the Frog is a love story and, like it or not, a prince was a necessary prerequisite for a happy ending. Brave is an action movie, so Merida is allowed to take the modern princess to another level. Merida is as fiery as her hair and challenges both fate and tradition to become the first truly free spirited Princess.
But this is a Pixar movie, so while there is some great action and comedy, there is an emotional core and the movie has heart. This time, the focus is on the relationship between and mother and her daughter. I should note that this is the first Pixar movie in a while that didn't make me cry like a baby. But, perhaps I didn't relate as closely to the theme as I did in Toy Story 3 and Up!
Is this Pixar's best movie? Not by a long shot. While the animation is top notch (there is a close up of Merida's hair that boggle the mind with its detail), the movie lacks the whimsy of Toy Story, the characterization of Finding Nemo, and the pure emotional of Up! Still, Brave is a top notch film that is worthy of the Pixar name. And Merida easily stands with Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Rapunzel, Ariel, Jasmine, and the other Disney princesses. Brave could easily be adapted into a Disney Channel Show, which expands the world of Merida and her family (of course, I thought the same thing about the Incredibles, but it never happened.)
I should add that I did overheard some audience members say they were
disappointed that the themes in Brave not as "mature" as Wall-E, Up, or
Rattatouile. I'm not sure these people are correct since Brave takes on some
pretty lofty issues about the effects of tradition on society and the
ramifications of deciding whether to challenge that tradition.
disappointed that the themes in Brave not as "mature" as Wall-E, Up, or
Rattatouile. I'm not sure these people are correct since Brave takes on some
pretty lofty issues about the effects of tradition on society and the
ramifications of deciding whether to challenge that tradition.
I did want to mention La Luna, the short before the movie. La Luna tells the story of three workers (a father, son, and grandson) with a unique job. But, really the short is
about finding your place in the world. Like their other shorts, Pixar delivers a lot in a short amount of time and will clearly be a contender come Oscar time. I really do like that Disney (and Pixar) have continued the trend of having shorts, since that is how Walt started. But, I digress.
about finding your place in the world. Like their other shorts, Pixar delivers a lot in a short amount of time and will clearly be a contender come Oscar time. I really do like that Disney (and Pixar) have continued the trend of having shorts, since that is how Walt started. But, I digress.
My daughter wanted to pass on the following when I wrote my review. She says (and I quote), "Daddy, please tell them that you thought it was great, but I only thought it was good. Some parts were too scary for me and kids should know that." When I asked her if she regretted getting all the merchandise, she smiled and said, "don't be silly Daddy, the movie was only good. But Princess Merida, she's AWESOME!" And then mimicked shooting a bow and arrow for emphasis.
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