The awaited release of Disney/Pixar’s “Brave” is upon us. I have been so eager to see Brave since I first saw snippets of the movie at the 2011 D23 Expo. Brave is the first Pixar movie with a lead female role. Merida, the Scottish princess, is an independent firecracker of a princess. She is tough, and doesn’t have a lot of regard for the role of princess, that her mother the Queen, feels she should have. The world premiere of Brave happened this past weekend during the LA Film Festival at the Grand Opening of the Dolby Theatre.
I was not fortunate enough to attend the premiere, but I was most definitely there in spirit. The premiere was attended by several stars, including Kevin McKidd, Kelly Macdonald and Craig Ferguson, and many more. I was able to take my whole family to see a pre-screening of Brave, this past Monday. Oh boy did we love it! My grandmother was born in Scotland, so the sound of bagpipes and the Scottish lilt in speech, rattle my soul. Some day I will visit Scotland and get to experience the whole thing! The screening was particularly special because we got to watch some highland dancers, accompanied by bagpipes, perform before us, ahead of the movie. I peeked over at my three boys, to see their response to the performance, and I caught them all sitting at the edge of their seats. Perhaps the bagpipes stir something in them too.
I loved the music throughout Brave, and I loved the story they had to tell. There is a great message to be found in Brave, that I feel is important for all families. As with all Disney movies, there is some trial and peril. Brave was no different. I don’t want to spoil the story, but I feel they brought the message around just fabulously! Brave teaches families to draw closer to one another, and to have faith and trust in one another.
I do want to mention that my 3 year old was a little frightened by some of the scenes and sequences. I was a little glad she fell asleep midway through, because it got a little scarier. My boys weren’t frightened a bit though, and they found the three redheaded brothers of Merida, to be quite hilarious. I actually laughed out loud at several scenes! Be sure to check out Brave in theatres everywhere on June 22nd.
Here is the synopsis, in case you aren’t familiar:
Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. From Disney and Pixar, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida(voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition and challenges destiny to change her fate.
“Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and 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). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources – including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, discovering the meaning of true bravery.
Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages around the world have come to eagerly expect. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.
A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, “Brave” uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the headstrong Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late. Opens June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.
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