Movie Review: Brave
Posted by Melanie on June 30, 2012
Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. “Brave” is a new tale about the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) who confronts tradition, creates her destiny and learns lessons of real love, a parent’s love.
Merida’s parents King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson) understand Merida’s desire for archery, in which she is highly skilled, but insist she follow tradition and prepare for marriage. Mostly Queen Elinor insists it is time for Merida to be a lady.
Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). She causes chaos in the kingdom and infuriates her mother. Fleeing the scene, Merida comes across an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) and gets her wish granted for a potion to change her mother. Merida believes that if she can change her mother, she can change her fate.
©2012 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
A wish I am sure every child coming of age might have at one point. Like any great story, Merida gets more than she bargains for and her mother doesn’t change her mind about marriage but changes in to a bear. Their relationship as mother and daughter is challenged yet flourishes as Merida realizes what she has done and must protect her mother from the men of the kingdom who want to kill the bear, even King Fergus. Bears are not welcome in their kingdom because King Furgus’ legend is losing his leg to a bear while protecting his family.
What I like: the love story between parent and child in a way I’ve not seen before. This is not a “princess” story even though Merida is a princess. It is action packed!
What I didn’t like: it could be a bit scary or confusing for the little ones when the mom as a bear takes on more bear like qualities and at times growls or almost attacks her daughter.
It is funny though! Merida has three young brothers that can’t stay out of trouble … imagine terrible two’s times THREE!
Overall, my most important critic – my 5 year-old – left saying “That movie is funny!” and is now asking for a bow and arrow set. I think girls and boys will enjoy this action movie about a girl who changes her destiny. “We all have our destiny inside of us, we must be brave enough to find it.”
To extend the fun, here are some fun family activities to download and print from Disney! You’ll need a PDF reader. You can download Adobe Reader here free.
