PRINTMovie Review: Brave
Independence and fate inspire princess’s dos and don’ts
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
June 22, 2012 | 7:59 p.m. CST
Another Disney princess has entered the scene, and this one should stay.
Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) defies tradition by refusing betrothal. In hysteria, she wishes her mother to accept her wishes and asks a witch for a spell to not only change her mother, but also alter her fate. Before the end of the day, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) is a bear. Being the only one to understand the situation, Merida must single-handedly defend her mother and reverse the spell in less than 48 hours.
Related MovieFinally, Disney puts out a princess movie that doesn’t rely on true love’s kiss but instead looks at a larger picture of life. Princess Merida is the epitome of a girl who seeks independence yet realizes the challenges faced when she’s on her own.
Besides the well-rounded character of Merida, the storyline is insightful. Each scene adds to the story, never wasting a moment of the 133-minute-long movie. At the end the audience can only feel optimistic walking out of the theater.
Disney Pixar animation doesn’t disappoint either. From the beautiful and realistic landscapes to the bouncing carrot-colored curls of Princess Merida’s hair, Brave features the finest details in every scene. The bright colors of the forest meshed well with the muted undertones of castle walls and plaid kilts.
Along with the kilts, the soundtrack reflected the Scottish heritage. Each bagpipe and flute song built the highland atmosphere and made for a beautiful melody to go with the sweeping landscapes.
Children will not be the only ones to enjoy this Disney fairytale; parents and adults will find plenty of laughs to make them feel like kids again. Disney does an excellence job celebrating family and tradition. When everything comes to rest on Merida, she steps up the plate and, like the title implies, is brave.
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