MOVIE REVIEW: Brave

Are You Brave Enough to Change Your Fate?

I have to admit that when I first saw the trailer for the new Disney Pixar movie "Brave," I was not impressed.  I was not sure what the plot was all about and it was not really at the top of my "must see" movie list. Boy was I wrong. My son and I went to an advance screening of "Brave" on Wednesday night and I enjoyed it as much (if not more) than he did.

"Brave" is the coming of age story of Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), the daughter of King Fergus (voiced by Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voiced by Emma Thompson). Merida is nothing that you think a Princess would be. She has a fiery Scottish temper that matches her wild red hair and loves to ride her horse bare back, master the use of deadly weapons, and eat as much as a man more than she likes to learn how to be a quiet dignified royal.

Queen Elinor is everything Merida is not - stately, dignified and steeped deeply in Scottish tradition. When the Queen informs Merida that she will be offered in marriage to the first born son of one of their three neighboring clans, Merida is not having it. When Merida finds out that only the first born can compete in a game of competition for her hand, she decides as the first born of the King to compete for her own hand. And her actions cause a major rip in her father's kingdom - and a terrible fight of wills between Merida and her mother. Merida is so upset that she decides she is going to do whatever it takes to change her fate and that decision causes both comical and horrible things to happen to every member of her family - and makes them all reconsider what is really important.

"Brave" is a wonderful movie that deals beautifully with the difficulties of family dynamics and family traditions. Merida and Queen Elinor are locked in the classic battle of a child who wants nothing more than to be herself and a mother who wants nothing more than to secure her child's future - even if that means forcing her to marry a man she does not love. From putting Merida in a dress two sizes to small to covering Merida's hair in an attempt to make her more regal, Queen Elinor just does not understand why her daughter does not want to be more like her and submit to the traditions handed down through generations of their Scottish ancestors. I think every one will see parallels with our own family and feel empathy for both Merida and Elinor.

Besides having a great storyline, "Brave" is a simply beautiful movie to watch. Even though I knew that the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland in the movie were not real, it was all so beautiful that I now want to go to Scotland. The scenes where Merida is riding her horse through the forest and climbing the hills to the waterfalls are just fantastic. And the 3D just made it all seem totally believable.

My son with these cute "Brave" Triplets

"Brave" is also laugh out loud funny. King Fergus and Merida's three younger brothers are outrageous. Those triplets are so funny that they need to get a movie of their own.

"Brave" is a totally wonderful movie that I would highly recommend. It is a rare animated movie with a great story, heart-breaking and belly-rolling moments and wonderful characters that everyone can identity with. It will give you faith to believe that you can change your fate, if you are brave enough to try.

"Brave" opens in theaters today, June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

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Enjoy!

Disclosure: I received a media invitation to attend this event.  All opinions are my own.

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