One of Disney’s most anticipated movies arrived in theaters nationwide last Friday. Brave, the story of a young Scottish princess named Merida, opened to fanfare everywhere as young girls were eager to see a non-traditional princess.
I’ll be honest. I had no idea what I was getting into. Every trailer I had seen showed the lead character, Merida, riding her horse through the woods with the words “If you could change your fate, would you?” I didn’t have the faintest idea what the plot actually was. I had no idea it was about a mother/daughter relationship (but bonus points to Disney since the mom isn’t dead!) and I had no idea there was a big ol’ scary bear in it.
From an adult’s point of view, I found this movie to be stunning. I’m not typically a fan of 3D, but Brave was an animated masterpiece. Everything was quite well done – from the character development to the minute details in the set.
The storyline is familiar. Queen wants princess to marry. Princess wants to find her own destiny and not be forced to be someone she’s not. Princess rebels. Mistakes are made. Events bordering on catastrophe happen. Mistakes are mended. All is right with the world again.
But the story that ensues captivates you nonetheless. It doesn’t matter that you know it must turn out ok in the end, you are on the edge of your seat the entire time. My best friend said, “This is the best Disney movie I’ve seen in a long time.” I don’t know that I would go that far, but it was beyond entertaining.
Not For the Young’ens
Brave is rated PG and rightfully so. I did not take my 3 year old son and am quite glad I didn’t. He would have been scared to bits throughout all the bear scenes. I would not recommend any child under the age of five or who may be prone to nightmares seeing this movie. While there is plenty of humor and lightheartedness to go around, Brave is much darker than I would have imagined.
Two Thumbs Up
Should you see it? Yes, I think you should. Will it be your number one, top favorite Disney movie of all time? I’m not sure, but Brave is destined to become a Disney classic and you’ll want to add it to your movie arsenal.
For a differing opinion, please visit my friend Andrea’s review at Lil-Kid-Things.
*I received two comped tickets to see this movie. All opinions are my own.
Michele says
I saw it this weekend and agree with all your points. I took my daughters to see it (and they are 6 1/2). I spent a decent part of the movie with their heads buried in my lap every time the bear showed its teeth. They are generally not scared of movies.
I had NO idea about the plot or had seen and previews with the bear in it. However all the previews I’ve seen SINCE the opening have the bear.
We went to the 12:15 am showing on Saturday, and the theater was sold out. My girls were probably the oldest in the theater (including an entire row of 4 year-olds there for a birthday party). There was a lot of screaming and crying.
Andrea says
I really enjoyed it, too. I realize that I was just saying I loved it, and I kind of did for the visual aspects, and the red-headed princess. She was powerful and she rocked. And I looked at it as a positive change. Was it the best Disney movie ever? Nah. Will it be my fave of all times? No. Agree w/you here. But I definitely enjoyed it. I will add, I also had no clue about the bear or any of that stuff – but my kiddo (at age 5) watches Transformers, so she’s totally fine. And uh, when the mom and daughter kept *connecting* – bear or not? I may have gotten a bit teary-eyed. 😉