It’s been a while since Disney/Pixar released a animated movie that wasn’t A) a sequel and B) hasn’t been hyped as the greatest thing since chocolate ice-cream. This weekend saw the opening of Brave across the country.
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
We want to know what you think. Did the story twist surprise you? Did you fall in love with the characters? Or is this something that should be shoved to the back of the closet, never to be talked about again? Use the comment section below to share your thoughts and reviews about the movie.
12 Comments
I just got back from seeing “Brave” with the kids. We found a non-stadium seating movie theater in our area that charges less to see a movie in 3-D than the local big cinema does to see a standard 2-D movie, so we sprung for the 3-D version.
As usual, Pixar gives us a visually beautiful movie. I am continually amazed at how incredibly detailed Pixar films have become since the original “Toy Story.” The detail is amazing and it makes me want to book a trip to Scotland.
In regards to the 3-D treatment: I’m torn. Usually, when I go to a 3-D movie, the effect is either spectacularly effective or a spectacular disaster. In tandem with the legendary Pixar detail, I almost forgot that I was watching a movie in 3-D. I’m guessing this either means that it was so effective that I got lost in it or it was so ineffective that my brain completely forgot that I was watching a 3-D movie.
From a story perspective, “Brave” started out strong, had a brief lull in the second act before pulling me back in and giving me an ending that left me with something in both of my eyes. There were some fun characters presented to us and our lead is everything a strong, female character should be without being pigeon-holed into the “Disney Princess” mold.
My kids loved it, too.
All in all, this was a great addition to the Pixar library. Here’s hoping they don’t try to spoil a good thing by trying to make sequels.
I’m not saying they should do it, but there could be a ton of options for a sequel to Brave or at least set in the world of Brave. Moreso than the Cars spinoff, Planes.
Saw “Brave” today with my kids and have to say, it might be my favorite Pixar film yet.
I went in nothing more than the protagonist has unruly red hair and the attitude to match, so all the twists and turns came as surprises to me.
I especially like that this movie has plenty of drama without really having a true villain.
After hearing your review of “Princeless” (which I haven’t read yet) I get the feeling this does a better job without being over the top.
And I totally agree with nordberg…let’s hope they don’t ruin this with a sequel.
-c
It’s like Pixar took the Disney formula and said, “we can do this better.” And they did. They took the tried-and-true trope of “I’m a princess but I don’t want to follow stupid family tradition that makes me marry whoever tradition deems worthy” and used it to explore a fascinating family dynamic that isn’t often explored in our entertainment (especially family entertainment): The mother/daughter relationship.
In the end, our princess is a hero. She doesn’t need to be saved by a prince — there’s not even a prince in the movie. She saves her mom and her mom saves her and they come out better for their bitter experience. It’s really quite good.
I just got back from a fun drive-in viewing of Brave with several friends. Things went kind of like this –
Opening scene
George – This is going to happen.
It happens.
George – I’m awesome.
Ten minutes later
George – This is going to happen.
It happens.
George – Still awesome.
Rinse and repeat through the movie. (Called what was going to happen to mom, called the twist about Mordu, called what was going to happen to the boys, etc. etc. etc.)
Overall verdict – Pixar delivers on the amazing visuals and engaging characters, and while the story was a bit predictable with elements of of The Little Mermaid, Mulan, and Freaky Friday, I still found myself enjoying the whole thing. I’d give it 3.5 out of 5 wing dang doodles.
Brave was darned good. I think they did an interesting thing where none of the advertising spoiled the story. Like herebewonder says above, we were really only told that Merida is a redhead with some friction with her mother, and there is a bear. I was really surprised by much of the story, and several times when I thought I knew what would happen I was surprised.
I also agree that this is a spin on the Disney princess formula that gives us a truly strong female hero, who doesn’t get rescued by a prince. She solves the problem du jour on her own, and saves the day.
My daughter, aged 8, loved it.
Good flick, and gorgeous.
I really liked it.
I really enjoyed it. Good throughout, and funny, as all Pixar movies are. New favorite Disney Princess, because she’s not a Disney Princess. Also, crazy red hair and really nice Scottish accent :)
Yep is was a good’n!
Saw it with my redheaded wife, redheaded son and untamed redheaded with giant blue eyes daughter. Any pattern here? Surprise twist felt totally natural in the course of the story, had to think back later to find the “twist” I had been warned about. Daughter loved it, son liked the ruder parts of Scottish life, wife wasn’t as big on it until I pointed out that the princess had gotten into trouble (as always) but didn’t rely on a prince to get her out of it.
I really liked that and Merida’s heartfelt acknowledgement that she was the one who caused the problems. The fact that a character in a children’s tale took full responsibility for their actions really impressed me.
As a tangential connection to that, I also really liked that the witch wasn’t an evil person with designs on the kingdom. She was just a kooky old lady who had the Pizza Express truck as a carving in her house.
I thought Brave was a film with the face of Pixar, but had a hollow chocolate Disney center. While the visuals were up to par, as is usual with a Pixar film, I feel some people may have become too distracted from a lacking story by these stunning scene-scapes. The raw soul of the film seems to have been cut from the same cookie cutter formula pounded dull from countless years of overuse by the Disney corporation. This film definitely recalls moments from classics such as the little mermaid, beauty and the beast, and (for some unknown reason) brother bear. I found myself wanting to call this movie “Mother Bear” in retrospect.
The uncharacteristic lack of concern, from the daughter, for her potentially poisoning her mother surprised me. The mother’s transition into a bear seemed painfully drawn out to the point where I believed the daughter had actually poisoned and killed her.
This is not a Toy Story or a Finding Nemo or original in any other way. But it is a good retelling the archetypes Disney is so fond of reusing. All in all, a good movie to take your children to, but forgettable.
7 Happy-Slaps out of 10 Happy-Slaps