Brave

Brave is Pixars 13th film. Their last film which was unanimously lauded was Toy Story 3 (2010). Cars 2 suffered because it was a Pixar film. Brave ... read more

Brave is Pixars 13th film. Their last film which was unanimously lauded was Toy Story 3 (2010). Cars 2 suffered because it was a Pixar film. Brave is also going to suffer but not so much. I can see why it will. But I can also see why I loved it and that reason overshadows the little nitpicks. Technically, Brave features some immaculate imagery. The animation is top-tier Pixar.

The film begins with a scene where young Merida follows the Will-o-the-wisps, tiny blue light beings, that lead her into the forest. When she comes back, she and her mother find a bear. This is essentially a foreshadowing of the plot that is to come. Princess Merida, exceptionally voiced by Kelly Macdonald, is skilled at archery. She was gifted a bow when she was a child. Ever since, she likes adventure and hunting. Her mother wants her to be a lady, act like a princess. Before you know it, she is to be married off to a prince. This movie could appeal to many young girls in India who are fed up with the arranged marriage system. (If you're not then you should be). Merida has to choose between the three suitors from Macintosh, McGuffin or Dingwall. The rest of the film is an enchanting fable. A tale of bravery and courage that Merida herself loves. The stories that inspire and are passed on to generations. The moral tales that dont stuff orthodoxy down your throats but break tradition. There is magic here but it is dark magic. The lessons we learn are those of anger, hate and pride, about the consequences of doing something wrong. I have made the film sound too heavy, I must inform that there are also three cute triplets. There are enough laughs for the children.

Brave wont be smothered by critics since it doesnt happen to be a sequel to Cars. Also because its reach is in tandem with its grasp, it doesnt pretend to be more than what it is. But then again it won't be fully appreciated due to it being a Pixar film. You dont have to be Einstein to know it isnt as stupendously original as Wall-E (2008), Toy Story 3 (2010), Finding Nemo (2003) or Ratatouille (2007). But it probably has something that most Disney films don't, which explains why Pixar is attached to this project: The Female Protagonist.

This year the Hollywood screens have been flooded with female protagonists. The Hunger Games, Prometheus, Mirror Mirror, Snow White and the Huntsman and Haywire. Brave is another strong entry in this cannon. I wonder if Bollywood will ever take women seriously.

Braves female protagonist is a tomboy, a rebel. She is not a bit like Cinderella or Aurora. Most Disney movies with a Princess have a Prince charming. Brave chooses to sidestep that inane sub-plot. THIS is why I loved the movie. It could have had a Prince who is match for our Princess Merida. But Brave decides not to and that is its biggest strength. Yes it does feel like there is one sub-plot less. But Id rather have one sub-plot less than a big fat clich which bores more than it compels. Brave takes the mother and daughter angle from Tangled (2010) mixes it with the terrain and color palette of How To Train Your Dragon (2010) and a dash of Brother Bear (2003).

The ending of the film is surprisingly filled with emotion. A mother at my screening pointed out how so many little girls cried at the end of the movie. To be honest, there is a little girl in all of us. Watch it for her.view less

Brave, the latest Pixar animation is set in the most unlikely places, the rugged Scottish highlands in which myths, traditions and matters of the h... read more

Brave, the latest Pixar animation is set in the most unlikely places, the rugged Scottish highlands in which myths, traditions and matters of the heart are shaken like a cocktail. And this is what lends the film its unique flavor and texture.

With its winning Pixar formula of superb animation and accessible characters, Brave tells the story of a fiery Princess who must defy her mother's wishes to marry a royal and goes on a crazy and magic-laden journey to finally reconcile with her. The film is replete with gags and over-the-top scenes that sometimes hinder the storytelling, but leave you rolling in the aisles for sure.

The animation work is fresh and reminiscent of some of Pixar's earlier breathtaking films. In fact the mother-daughter relationship rings quite close to Pixar's Finding Nemo about the father-son bonding. Having added a woman director to their big boys' club, gives Brave the delicacy and the feistiness synonymous with womanhood.

The Scottish accent is a bit hard to follow at times but works organically very well in the setting of the film. Music-wise also the film stays true to its nature and sometimes even lifts some of the drab scenes.

With a gamut of animation sequels in the past and many more in the pipeline, Brave offers something fresh, something new and something to aspire for. A delight to watch with the whole family this summer, go out and make your day. 3.5 stars
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Theres a princess Merida in most of us. Shes little, rebel kind of girl whos determined to lay her own path. Shes is liberated, high-spirited and m... read more

Theres a princess Merida in most of us. Shes little, rebel kind of girl whos determined to lay her own path. Shes is liberated, high-spirited and most importantly ready to set herself free. However, freedom comes with a price, and sometimes its at the cost of bringing upon chaos in your own life or family.

Brave revolves around the brave princess Merida, who likes to draw her own path and doesnt appreciate others poking their noses in her life. Shes the daughter of the Bear King Fergus, known to be the slayer of Bear with his bare hands and his wife Elinor. Meridas officious attitude always worries her mother. To keep her in order Elinor decides to get Merida married off to one of the suitors who will win in the game of her choice. However, Merida manages to singlehandedly win over her suitors and in the processes sabotages the ceremony. Irked at Merida, Queen locks her up only to push her to the extreme of running off in to the forest, where she meets a witch who gives her a spell that could apparently change her mother forever (figuratively). But, little did princess Merida knew that she was going to turn her mother into a bear who at the second sunrise will stay one forever if the spell is not broken. Will Merida succeed in getting her mom back or not forms the rest of the story?

Brave is definitely not one among those awesomely executed animation pictures. Its a well made film with a story that connects emotionally with its audience. Animation films always come with a good, lesson-for-life kind of stories that inspires us all. Brave brings to light the importance of a relationship, a tradition and most importantly how should a mother - a god like figure should be treated. I suppose as and when parents back home tell their children lifes important lessons, they should show them some nice movies too. For example; if your son or daughter keeps bullying their friends at school then show them Ant Bully and Im sure theyd learn a lesson or two. Or show them Ratatouille to help them understand the importance of pursing ones passion. Yes, animation films are great lesson teachers to the present generation.

Set in Scotland, its fun to hear everybody talk in Irish accent. Especially, Kelly MacDonald who voiced Merida was impeccable in her accent and certainly gave a nice feel to the film. Reese Witherspoon was originally casted for the voice of Merida but she backed out citing dates problem. Nevertheless, Kelly did full justice to the role.

Braves music was composed by Patrick Doyle and he added some native flavor to the music by adding bagpipes and other Scottish instruments. And the two songs featuring Julie Fowlis and Birdy pour life in to the film.

In essence; Brave is a film with a sincere message that deserves to be embraced.

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Pixars latest animated effort rises above the mediocrity of Cars 2 but falls short of much of the animation juggernauts past efforts. Brave is a mo... read more

Pixars latest animated effort rises above the mediocrity of Cars 2 but falls short of much of the animation juggernauts past efforts. Brave is a movie that contains potential for greatness but only manages to achieve it on the technical front. The script meanders in the wilderness for much of its middle portion leading to a rushed and somewhat abrupt ending that tries really hard to forge an emotional connect. Alas the setup is sketchy and that renders the ending less than effective.

In a far away Scottish kingdom, the feisty red-haired princess Merida dreams of nothing more than wielding her bow and arrow, scaling high cliffs, riding through the wilderness and being carefree. Her mother however has different plans for her and wants her to get married off in a lady-like fashion. A series of mystical events leads Merida to the hut of a witch who grants her a spell. Merida wishes for her mother to change and thus leading to Meridas fate changing. Things dont go as per plan and Meridas mom does change but quite literally into a bear and with the clans enmity with the species, things look bleak for her. Merida has to now set things right but theres also the bit about her fate and destiny which involves squaring off against large fearsome bear of more myth and legend.

The animation is astounding and so is the voice work and accents. The humour also works though much of it tends to get too slapstick at times. I understand the emotional resonance its themes want to have but they are poorly built and established thus leading to a plot that feels unsatisfying; a middle portion that drags doesnt help the movie either.

Brave is a worthy watch but dont expect the sky from this one and youll be satisfied. Oh and do watch out for the triplets, they are a blast.
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