Brave Review

Very rarely does a Pixar movie disappoint. They have provided us with so many classics, from Toy Story to Cars to Finding Nemo. Pixar always finds a way to enchant us, bring us into the story and take us on the ride of our lives. I went into Brave with low expectations. In my opinion it looked to be the best movie that was coming out this weekend and I thought it would be okay, for a kids movie. Brave was so much more. I’ve never reviewed an animated movie before so this will be a first and so I apologize in advance if this review is a little off kilter. Another thing to remember is Pixar always has mini-movies before the feature film and the one before Brave is awesome.

 

“Change your fate”

Brave (2012)

Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson

Directed by: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell

Plot

The plot of this movie is more or less a coming of age tale. Merida, the daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, has come to the age to be betrothed. However, to her mother’s disdain, Merida, does not wish to be wed. Merida after all else fails, enlists the help of magic to change her fate. The plot is based on the conflict between Merida and her mother. While the plot is fairly simple on its surface, the way it is executed makes it much more exciting. The story is also presented in a way in which everyone can appreciate it. The movie, is mostly lighthearted despite some vicious spats between mother and daughter. My theater was in an uproar during much of the movie showing just how well the humor is intertwined with the more serious moments of the movie. This is literally the perfect plot for a story for people of all ages. We all will eventually come of age, and this will either warn of the problems that may arise if you are a parent or kid, and it may remind you of your own days as a youth coming of age.

4/5

Acting

Acting is very hard to judge in an animated movie because the characters can be programmed to look the exact way the director wants. It basically all comes down to the voice behind the character. That being said that does not mean it is any easier or any harder to become engrossed with the characters or their stories. We see movies as an escape, but we also want movies to leave an impact on us when we leave the theater. This is done by attaching to the characters. Brave does this perfectly. I saw myself in Merida, and I saw my parents in Fergus and Elinor. Merida wanting to be herself and her parents trying to send her down the path that they thought was best for her. Despite the fighting that may occur, there is always love. Each character may have been blinded by different character flaws but eventually love brought them all together. The voice acting of these 3 characters is done beautifully, portraying the emotions that are behind these characters with such life that you eventually forget they are animated. In my opinion this makes the characters that much easier to relate to. When you can see yourself in a character, then, in my opinion the movie has succeeded in making the experience real.

5/5

Visuals and Sound

Absolutely stunning. We all expect a certain level of execution from Pixar in the visual department. There is an aspect of Pixar movies that make them special. Brave has it. It is set in a stunning land of lakes, mountains and forests that all seem magical and real at the same time. It is hard to give Pixar a grade on visuals because they are one of those groups that sets the bar for other movies in the genre. However, where many movies can fall short is the sound or soundtrack. Brave does not trip up here. The music is incredible and helps bring you into the beautiful landscape being presented in front of you. The songs are absolutely perfectly sung by what sounds like either Irish or Scottish singers. I believe one song is even in Gaelic. All these minor details go a long way in enhancing the experience and really move the movie up into another level.

5/5

Unexpected

The previews give away a lot of the plot twists which is unfortunate. However, the previews also got me in theater so I can’t be too mad. That being said if you haven’t seen a preview don’t watch one. It will make the movie that much better. If you have seen the previews you probably won’t be too surprised by anything. There are jokes that aren’t in the previews and they are very funny but major moments of surprise will be few and far between. Its hard to blame the movie itself for lacking the unexpected when it is more the fault of the marketing department. However, the humor and lightheartedness of the movie as a whole was completely unexpected, helping to balance out the lack of major surprises.

3.5/5

Overall

See this movie. This is the best movie I have seen in a long time. Not the best kids’ movie, literally the best movie. The characters are filled with emotion and the story will remind any kid or parent of their own life. We all have at one point or another disagreed with our family but the key is that we always patch things up. There is always love behind angry words or slammed doors. The movie does an incredible job of making you feel the same way Merida does, but at the same time feeling her mother’s pain. All the while occurring in a land that looks beautiful. The music provides the final step allowing you to enter into the land of Brave wholeheartedly. Other than the unexpected being more or less expected the movie is dang near flawless. The next free moment you have, go see this movie. It is worth it.

5/5