Movie Review: Walt Disney•Pixar Motion Picture Brave Release June 22

I had the opportunity to see a screening of Brave earlier this week at Disney Studios. Brave is an adventure about a teenage girl who is struggling to find herself and create her own destiny.  A lot of  kids, youth and adults will related with the movie theme, characters and humor.  As a parent I was able to related to the experience of raising a child and could also related to my parents experience in raising me.   I really enjoyed the movie and I am looking forward to seeing it in a local theatre again.   The film opens in theaters today on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™.  The “BRAVE” soundtrack  was released June 19.

Filmmaking & Animation:

The animation film is set in  Scotland and has a lot of memorable characters and humor for all audiences. The story of Brave was very personal to the film directors, Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman.  They drew from the experiences with their Scottish heritage and love of Scotland.  The team behind “BRAVE” took several research trips to Scotland starting in the summer of 2006.  The filmmakers scouted several locations in Scotland to create multidimensional views and landscapes.  According to “BRAVE” producer Katherine Sarafian, They ate like locals and immersed themselves in the culture and weather.  To prepare for the film, the animation team took sword fighting, archery lessons, wore kilts, rode horses, visited the zoo, heard lectures from an expert on Scottish accents and watched nature documentaries.

Pixar continues to set the bar high in storytelling,  filmmaking and animation.  According to the film director Mark Andrews, they were really pushing the envelope in terms of cinematography, lighting and photography.  They found new ways to create texture and took human characters to the next level.  I really appreciated all the details the filmmakers took to make the landscapes, characters and trees come to life.  I had to do a couple double-takes while watching the film.

“Some say our destiny is tied to the land, as much a part of us as we are of it. Others say fate is woven together like a cloth, so that one’s destiny intertwines with many others. It’s the one thing we search for, or fight to change. Some never find it. But there are some who are led.”

Main Characters & Synopsis:

Merida is a a beautiful red-haired aspiring archer and daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Merida desire to break traditions in her legendary land ensues an uproar in the kingdom.   Merida takes after her father and loves spending time in the outdoors arching and riding her horse through the Scottish countryside.   Her Father King Fergus is a larger than life warrior and enjoys sharing tales of his battles and adventures.   Her mother Queen Elinor is graceful, wise and the matriarch of the family.  In response to a request from her mother to follow family tradition, Merida turns to someone for help and is granted a wish that creates chaos.  The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo the effects of her wish.

Who’s Who in “BRAVE”:

Movie Rating:             PG (violence, scares, adult themes).

Voice Talent:              Billy Conolly (King Fergus), Kelly MacDonald (Merida), Emma Thompson (Queen Elinor), Julie Walters (The Witch)

Directors:                     Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Producer:                     Katherine Sarafian

Composer:                   Patrick Doyle

 

For additional information regarding the animation film check out the  Website & Mobile site at Disney.com/Brave , Like Brave on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarBrave or Connect with “BRAVE”  by following on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

“BRAVE” related Summer FUN Activities & Downloads:

• BRAVE Scottish Glossary courtesy of Disney Motion Pictures
• BRAVE – HOW TO Highland Scottiche dance  courtesy of Disney Motion Pictures

Have you ever struggled to find yourself and create your own destiny?  How do you help your children create their own destiny?  Are you looking forward to watching “BRAVE” this weekend?