Are you willing to pay the price your will freedom cost? – Queen Elinor
For months, the excitement in our home has been building as we anticipated the release of Disney/Pixar’s latest animated film, Brave. We can’t drive past a billboard without my children squealing “Brave!” For the very first time, my daughter approached the red-headed Scottish princess at Disneyland a few weeks ago, most likely enthralled by her ever-flowing vibrant curly locks. My son’s teacher has been reading the story in class, and just the other day he recapped the story in it’s entirety (complete with plot spoilers!). We’re totally ready to see the film together this weekend!
If you haven’t read the synopsis or seen a preview, the story follows Merida, a young princess who’s determined to forge her own path in lieu of succumbing to the prescribed traditions of her culture. As the sole daughter of the king and queen, there is pressure for her to marry…an arranged marriage, at that. This marriage is purposeful and a strategic decision on the part of Queen Elinor. But Merida is young and as free-spirited as her perfectly unruly red hair. She would rather explore and seek adventure than cross her “T’s” and dot her “I’s.” When she publicly defies tradition during the games that are to determine which of the three first born sons will become her husband, she flees to her room, only to have a disagreement with her mother that sends her riding off into the forest. Determined to change her fate, Merida follows the will-o-the-wisps to an old woman’s cottage. When she learns that this woman is a witch, Merida convinces her to create a spell that will change her mother, which in theory would change her fate. As Queen Elinor states in the film, there is a cost to freedom. It will be up to Merida to undo the curse before it becomes permanent.
After two information-rich press events, I’ve shared exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes information, and pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the film. But the big question is, should you take your kids to see it? After seeing the film twice last week, I can wholeheartedly and emphatically say yes. Here is why:
1. Breathtaking visuals: From the intricacies of Merida’s hair to the lush, vivid Scottish landscapes, Brave is a sight to behold.
2. Memorable, relatable characters: For obvious reasons, Merida is the character little girls will admire. She is independent, adventurous, beautiful, and courageous.
3. An impeccable tribute to the country of Scotland: Having lived in Scotland, I have a sense of the people and the culture. Watching Brave was like a step back in time. From the music and accents to the scenery, Brave’s fictional world feels surprisingly real.
4. A tribute to the mother-daugbter relationship: Mother-daughter struggles are timeless and Pixar does a wonderful job of drawing audiences in by creating a relationship that is beautiful and authentically imperfect, and thus, relatable.
Brave is now in theaters nationwide.
No compensation was received for this post. Travel expenses associated with the event were provided by Disney.
Photos Disney/Pixar.
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No where is any of the ads or trailers or press releases I received talked about how DARK the film is and the overt violence. I am glad my grand daughter wasn’t with me when I saw it last week.
This is definitely on my to see list!
I cannot wait to watch this! It’s one of my must see summer movies.
We saw it and loved it!!! We laughed a lot, cried a little, and just had a blast!
Can’t wait to see it!!! 😀