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“Brave”: A Movie That Will Leave You Feeling Empowered
“Brave” is a 2012 American computer-animated fantasy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and co-directed by Steve Purcell. It tells the story of a young Scottish princess named Merida who defies tradition and must fight to undo a curse that threatens her kingdom.
The Storyline
The movie revolves around Merida, a skilled archer and daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, who is determined to carve her own path in life. When her mother tries to force her into an arranged marriage, Merida rebels and seeks help from a witch who grants her wish to change her fate. However, the spell comes with an unexpected consequence which puts both her mother and their entire kingdom in danger. As she tries to reverse the curse, Merida learns valuable lessons about responsibility, bravery, and love for family.
The Plot
The movie is set in medieval Scotland where the clans are united under King Fergus. Merida is shown as an energetic tomboy who enjoys freedom and adventure more than anything else in life. However, she faces pressure from her mother who wants her to be a proper princess and carry out duties expected of royalty. This leads to conflicts between them which worsen when the suitors arrive for Merida’s hand in marriage. She dislikes them all but agrees to go along with their contest until it ends uneventfully.
Desperate for a way out of this situation, Merida goes into the forest and encounters a witch who promises to help her change her mother. She makes a potion which Merida gives to Elinor, but it turns her into a bear instead. With the curse in place, Merida tries to undo it by finding the witch, but she has vanished. In the meantime, Fergus and his army hunt down bears in the forest as they believe they have killed their queen.
Eventually, Merida finds out that she has to mend her relationship with her mother in order to break the curse. They work together to fight off dangers and save their kingdom while learning from each other’s perspectives. In the end, Merida earns her mother’s respect and decides not to marry yet as she wants to explore more of what life has to offer.
The Cast
The voice cast includes Kelly Macdonald as Merida, Emma Thompson as Elinor, Billy Connolly as Fergus, Julie Walters as The Witch and Robbie Coltrane as Lord Dingwall among others. Each performance brings out the traits of their respective characters while adding humor and depth where necessary.
The Characters
The characters are well-developed and relatable despite being fictional. Merida is a refreshing heroine who challenges gender roles without compromising on her femininity or agency. Elinor is a strict but caring mother who tries to do what is best for her family even if it means sacrificing herself. Fergus is a brave warrior who loves his wife and daughter dearly while also being protective of his people.
The Score and Popularity
The score by Patrick Doyle is enchanting and captures the essence of Scottish culture with bagpipes, harps, and strings. It complements the visuals nicely and adds to the emotional impact of certain scenes. “Brave” was well-received by audiences and critics who praised its animation, storytelling, humor, and themes. It won several awards including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
My Evaluation
As a viewer, I enjoyed “Brave” for its empowering message that encourages girls to follow their hearts and stand up for themselves. Merida’s determination to break free from tradition resonated with me as someone who has faced similar challenges in life. The movie also highlights the importance of family bonds and communication which is something we can all relate to regardless of culture or background.
The Cinematography
The animation is breathtakingly beautiful with lush landscapes, detailed character designs, vibrant colors, and seamless transitions between shots. There are many memorable moments such as Merida’s archery skills, Elinor’s transformation into a bear, the fight scenes between clans and bears, and Merida’s speech at the end which ties everything together.
My Opinion
Overall, “Brave” is a heartwarming adventure that appeals to all ages. It has a strong message about identity, self-discovery, and bond with family that will leave you feeling empowered. It also showcases the talent of Pixar Animation Studios who continue to bring magic to the screen with every film they make. I highly recommend “Brave” to anyone who wants to be entertained and moved at the same time.
The Scenes
There are many memorable scenes in “Brave” such as when Merida and Elinor argue over Merida’s choice of suitors, when Elinor turns into a bear and Merida tries to communicate with her, when the clans gather for a meeting and fight each other, and when Merida delivers her speech which connects all the themes together.
The Gossip
There were rumors that “Brave” went through multiple rewrites and production delays due to creative differences between the directors and Pixar executives. Brenda Chapman was replaced by Mark Andrews as director halfway through the project which led to speculation about why it happened.
The Soundtracks
The soundtrack features several songs including “Touch the Sky” by Julie Fowlis which captures Merida’s sense of adventure and freedom, “Into the Open Air” by Julie Fowlis which is a haunting melody that expresses Elinor’s longing for her daughter, and “Learn Me Right” by Birdy with Mumford & Sons which is a lively tune that plays during the end credits.
The Analysis
“Brave” can be seen as a feminist movie that challenges gender norms and subverts patriarchal expectations. It presents Merida as a strong female character who is not defined by her appearance or marital status but by her skills, personality, and inner strength. It also shows Elinor as a multifaceted character who struggles to reconcile her duty with her love for her daughter.
The Special Effects
The special effects in “Brave” are impressive especially the animation of hair, fur, and water which are notoriously difficult to achieve in computer graphics. Merida’s curls, in particular, were a technical feat that took years to perfect. The bear animation was also realistic and expressive which added to the emotional weight of the story.
The Dialogue
The dialogue in “Brave” is witty, heartfelt, and sometimes poignant. It reflects the dialects and accents of Scotland with phrases like “dinna fash yerself”, “wee beastie”, and “och aye”. The conversations between Merida and Elinor highlight their generation gap while also showing their mutual respect and love.
The Crews
The movie was produced by Katherine Sarafian under the supervision of John Lasseter who is known for his contributions to many successful animated movies including “Toy Story”, “A Bug’s Life”, and “Finding Nemo”. The art direction was done by Steve Pilcher who drew inspiration from real locations in Scotland while incorporating fantasy elements.
The Criticism
While “Brave” was received well by most viewers and critics, some criticized it for not going further with its feminist themes and for relying on familiar tropes such as mother-daughter conflicts and magical curses. Others felt that the Scottish culture was simplified and stereotyped for a global audience.
The Production
“Brave” took several years to produce with a budget of around $185 million. It was released in June 2012 and grossed over $540 million worldwide making it one of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time. It also spawned merchandise, a video game, and a theme park attraction.
The Editing
The editing in “Brave” is seamless with smooth transitions between scenes and effective use of cross-cutting to build tension. The pacing is steady with moments of humor and action interspersed throughout the story. The final product is a cohesive narrative that delivers emotional resonance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Brave” is an inspiring movie that celebrates individuality, courage, and family ties. It has relatable characters, stunning animation, an enchanting score, and a meaningful message that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Whether you are young or old, male or female, this movie will make you feel empowered to be yourself no matter what obstacles come your way.