BRAVE in Theaters June 22nd

Brave represents many firsts for Pixar Studios.  It’s their first feature with a female protagonist, first directed by a female, first period piece, first with nudity (seriously).  I’m pretty sure it’s the first with a gay character (check out how the witch’s male crow describes a Scotsman) and I’m definitely sure it’s the first original story since Up.

Nothing against Toy Story 3 or Cars 2 (no, plenty against Cars 2 — it was a major letdown), but it’s nice to have the Pixar folks again doing what they do best – unveiling amazing new worlds.  This time its ye auld Scotland in the Braveheart days.  (What is it with Scottish films and the word “brave” in the title?)

Move over Hawkeye and Katniss, the feisty redheaded star of Brave — Merida — is every bit their equal in archery, a skill her father encourages but her mother does not.  Mom, voiced by Emma Thompson, wants her daughter to be the Disney princess that she is so she can grow into the queen that mom is — prim and proper, but able to take down a castle of brawling Scots with but a wee glare.  Mother and daughter see eye to eye on the latter, but not the former, creating a rip in the fabric of their relationship, as well as in a certain mystical tapestry that, if not mended in two days time, will yield dire consequences.

The Scottish clans are hysterical with witty names like MacGuffin and Macintosh.  (Watch the end credits for another Apple reference — a Steve Jobs tribute — as well as a bonus scene)  Billy Connolly and Craig Ferguson are great as clan leaders.  Keep your ears open for John Ratzenberger.

"BRAVE" Merida following a Wisp

There’s a wonderful sequence where the sons of the clan leaders vie for the princess’ hand in marriage by competing in an archery contest.  What follows is an homage to the classic Adventures of Robin Hood scene where Robin disguises himself to win Maid Marion’s hand.  Picture that with the twist of Marion disguising herself as Robin to win her own hand.

Adding authenticity to the Scottish highland setting is the score by Scottish composer Patrick Doyle.  Nothing makes you want to don a kilt and eat haggis more than Doyle’s bagpipes (that doesn’t sound right).

The less you know about the plot, the better.  The trailers make you think it’s about a girl and a bear and that’s true.  Mostly.  Unlike the misleading marketing of Dark Shadows (It’s another wacky Burton/Depp comedy!  Nope, it’s a drama.), these ads misdirect.  Misleading is false advertising.  Misdirecting is what a skilled magician does in order to best surprise an audience.  Luckily, Pixar knows the difference.

"BRAVE" (Pictured) MERIDA

I may not be a Magic Castle member, but I know the difference as well, which is why I’ll discuss the plot no further.  However, I will discuss the ending (Wait, what?) since it is yet another example of why Pixar, despite a few missteps (I’m calling you out, Cars franchise!), remains in top form.

(Uninterested in having several film endings spoiled?  Then skip to the La Luna review.  I won’t be offended.)

**MAJOR SPOILER** (If you do NOT want to know how the movie BRAVE ends, SKIP this next paragraph!)

I actually thought Merida’s mom would be stuck as a bear forever.  My brain knew there’s no way a kids film would have such a downer ending, but my heart was so caught up in the characters that it tricked me into thinking she’d permanently join Yogi and the Jellystone gang. I had the same reaction to the toys nearly melting in the junkyard incinerator of Toy Story 3.  Ditto the end of Wall-E where the rebooted robot displays symptoms of mechanical Alzheimer’s by forgetting who his lady love is. “No way would the filmmakers do that,” said my adult self in both cases, but the naive child inside me was convinced they would. That’s what makes Pixar so amazing.  To really affect an audience you don’t have to do incredibly shocking things like kill a heroine midway through (Psycho) or pull a Tarentino stunt.  You just have to make people think that you will.

**MAJOR SPOILER ENDED**

"BRAVE" (L-R) QUEEN ELINOR, KING FERGUS, MERIDA and the triplets: HARRIS, HUBERT and HAMISH

A Pixar feature wouldn’t be complete without a Pixar short.  Ever wonder who cleans the moon?  Wonder no more.  Waxing imaginatively with humor and heart, La Luna continues an excellent run of short films relying purely on visuals.  (And in this case some mumbled Italian gibberish, capeesh?)

I look forward to Pixar’s next brave new world, but first we have to slog through another sequel, 2013’s Monsters University (at least it has a creative title).  For now, lads and lasses, kick back and enjoy this Brave new world.  Oh, and the haggis is in 3D.