![]() There is a scene with a waterfall that is just breathtaking. With each film, the technical achievement Pixar is able to put on display is awe inspiring. The animation and artistry on display in Brave is second to none. Even more shocking Brave did not have a villain. In short the main conflict in the movie was quite dull. Instead it focused on a common and boring theme of an over controlling mother versus a rebellious daughter without anything creative or new to add to conversation. All we knew is she wanted her freedom, but for what end? So she could go horseback riding whenever she chose? Merida needed a purpose greater than herself and the movie never bothered to offer that. ![]() Merida’s character was very shallow and that really hurt the film. I really wished perhaps the story could have been about him. The only engaging character of the bunch was King Fergus. In fact if they had removed the odd bear subplot the story would have been much stronger for it.Įven worse, where Pixar films in the past were famous for their deep and meaningful characters, Brave was devoid of memorable heroes or villains. The sad part was the big plot twist was completely unneeded. The tone was not set as it switched stories completely midway through with an odd twist. The story seemed scattered and unfocused. The script, written by Chapman and Andrews with the help of rookie Steve Purcell and animation veteran Irene Mecchi (responsible for many of the weaker Disney animation films in the past two decades) did not help matters. ![]() By the time we come to the finale and the film finally slows down to show an emotional moment it is too late for it to have the kind of impact the movie needed. The movie races through emotional and tense moments where previous Pixar films would have taken it’s time. Many of the problems with Brave can be traced to the direction of this film. ![]() How these two earned a shot to direct a feature Pixar film I will never know, perhaps it’s magic. Andrews directed a previous Pixar short, One Man Band in addition to his screenplay credit on John Carter. Chapman’s last and only film was Prince of Egypt. The movie is directed by Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews, neither of whom have stellar track records. In the end I couldn’t help thinking I had just seen a variation of a past Disney film Brother Bear. Brave seems to have all the right ingredients to fit among Pixar’s best but it never really comes together. While doing this many of them have a certain uniqueness about them whether it’s about a little robot seeking love or an elderly man befriending a pudgy boy scout on an adventure. They all hit just the right notes in terms of story and heart. Past Pixar movies have a certain magic to them. Now it is a race against time to reverse the curse before it destroys the kingdom and Merida’s family. The witch promises her a spell that can change her fate, but like all witch’s spells there are unintended consequences and things go horribly wrong. When Merida defies an age old custom of her people, picking her future husband from the surrounding kingdoms sons, Merida runs away into the forest and meets a witch. Merida is a tomboy at heart, much more happy to shoot arrows and mountain climb than to play princess, much to the dismay of her mother the Queen. ![]()
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