Let me take you back to 2011, the very day that Cars 2 was released in theaters. A brand new Pixar film, having been released right after the most successful animated film of all time, and one of the most critically acclaimed films ever, Cars 2 had a massive standard to live up to. Not just because of its predecessor, but also because of the high standard of quality we expected from Pixar films.
But let’s face it: what we got was pure garbage. Cars 2 was a shameful disgrace to the name of Pixar, and became the worst-reviewed Pixar film EVER, and their least financially successful film ever as well.Long ago, when Pixar began to discuss creating their own films, only one sequel was ever planned, and that was Toy Story 2. True, Toy Story 2 and 3 were both unbelievably successful, and garnered massive critical acclaim(in fact, two of the most critically acclaimed animated films ever), but Pixar was known for making new, original films. With Cars 2 being such a major disappointment, coupled with the fact the next Pixar film, Monsters University was to be a prequel to Monsters Inc. and even worse rumors of a Toy Story 4(I kid you not, they might seriously make another one), Pixar’s reputation was beginning to crumble.
To make matters worse for Pixar, their rival in the animated entertainment business, Dreamworks Pictures, had just released two massively popular films, How to Train your Dragon, and Kung Fu Panda 2, both films considered to be equal -or even better than- most Pixar films.
In short, things were looking bad. People began to say that Pixar had lost their touch, and were instead trying to cash in on their previous works. It seemed inevitable that the downfall of a animated monolith was to occur.
I felt uncertain and unhappy. I was a dedicated Pixar fan, and had enjoyed every Pixar film immensely up to Cars 2. Trust me, I’m being civil about that piece of crap. Can you believe I wasted nearly ten bucks on that steaming pile- anyway, I wasn’t sure what to think. I knew Pixar planned to release Monsters University in 2012, and I didn’t think for one moment Monsters Inc. needed another film in the series at all.
But then came Brave. Yes, Brave had already been announced, it had been planned to be released in 2013, but Monsters University was pushed back and Brave was put in its place.
When I saw the very first teaser trailer for Brave, I was both surprised and pleased. Pleased by the fact that Pixar seemed to have realized they had made a terrible mistake in Cars 2, and were eager to rectify the mistakes they had made. And surprised by just how dark the trailer was. If this was going to be a kid’s movie, it looked far more intense than any kid’s film I had seen.
It took some time, but more trailers and more clips of Brave poured in, and I felt myself becoming increasingly nervous as more came in. One thing I loathed about a lot of animated films was their increasingly reliance on slap-stick comedy and juvenile humor, and Brave seemed to be taking that root. And of course, because people love complaining about things and not knowing what they’re talking about, moviegoers who hadn’t even SEEN the film claimed Pixar was washed up, and they were hacks.
Now truth be told, I was pretty unsure how Brave was going to turn out. Cars 2 had left a foul taste in my mouth, and the last thing I wanted was to see Pixar make something as awful as that. So I watched Brave.
And this is exactly what Pixar needed to make. And exactly what our generation needs to hear.
The Pros:
Gorgeous environments: When I saw Kung Fu Panda 2, it was the pinnacle in animation. Beautifully crafted, it was enjoyable just to watch the environments of the film...
...But Brave completely blows it out of the water. I mean, WOW! What an unbelievably breath-taking world Pixar made for viewers, simply incredible.
Great Plot: Little to nothing in the film is unoriginal. Pixar took the film in a different direction than I had expected, and it’s a much darker film than most family fare. While I enjoyed the darkness and intensity of the film, Brave will terrify young children.
Hilariously funny: I found myself more than once howling in my seat, the wit and humor of Brave was clever, unique, and very...Scottish.
Wonderfully spot-on Scottish feel: Confession time, readers; I’m part Scotch, so I more than once found myself going red in embarrassment watching the characters go about. The Scotch humor nails the culture and personality of ancient Scotland. The worst part is I’m related to people like these guys. Makes me proud of my bloodline.
Great Moral tale: I won’t say much about this till my Last Word, but Brave again took a different route in film, and brought an important aspect of our culture, especially the culture of my generation, to light.
Unique, fun characters: One of the biggest flaws of Cars 2 was the characters weren’t fun to watch, and didn’t bring anything enjoyable to the table. In Brave, however, each character brings a critical element needed for the film to succeed.
Merida, the protagonist of the film, shows a fierce and determined spirit that seems present in nearly every teenager on earth. Desperate to change her fate, she incurs disaster on her family and her kingdom. As the film progresses, viewers see her change and these changes place Merida among the greatest protagonists Pixar’s ever made.
Fergus, the King, is a great laugh, but shows a fierce devotion to the protection and defense of his family. A bit of a klutz, but an admirable character nonetheless.
The Queen, Elinor, again brings something unique to the table. Proper, respectable, and firm, her no-nonsense nature of course disagrees with Merida’s stubborn nature, despite the fact that the Queen has Merida’s best interests at heart.
Then there’s the trouble-makers: Merida’s brothers, Hubert, Hammish, and Harris, who add some needed levity to the film, even though they don’t utter an actual word. Funny and very entertaining.
Of course, there are the side characters, but seeing as there’s dozens of them it would be hard to go through them by name, but each one brings and essential piece to the film, adding to Brave’s flair.
The Cons:
Some rather adult humor: Yeah, this movie’s Scottish. Some of the humor might make parents frown, but it definitely is a part of the culture at the time.
...Again, I’m really embarrassed these kinds of people are my ancestors.
Why is it most men are portrayed as bozos?: The two strongest characters in the film are women -which I’m perfectly fine with by the way- and the male characters are pretty much a bunch of idiots. Yes, they’re not complete morons, but why is it guys are so often thrown under the bus for a laugh?
Look, before I say this next complaint I have with the film, I just want to say in no way do I hate homosexuals. I, being a Christian, consider myself just as sinful as the next person, and though I do not agree with homosexuality, I will treat a gay person just as Jesus would: with love and respect. That being said...
I remember a friend of mine calling Merida a "lesbian princess", which irritated me to no end. A main focal point of the plot is that Merida doesn’t wish to marry any of her suitors, and would rather practice her shooting and horseback riding. While that’s perfectly fine, it seems our culture today has a rule for anything slightly sexual: if you’re not sleeping with a person of the opposite sex, then you absolutely HAVE TO BE a homosexual. If a girl isn’t interest in doing girly things, then she MUST be a lesbian.
Not that Brave even so much as TOUCHES the area of sexuality, but I know that people are more than ready to jump on the ‘Merida is a lesbian’ bandwagon. Seriously, please don’t. It’s annoying.
The Last Word:
Rebellion is the theme of my generation. Rebellion against parents, rebellion against the status quo, it goes on and on and on. We love rebels, girls love the bad boys, it seems the world loves it when people rebel.
Yet, not once have I seen anybody explore the consequences of rebellion. Not until Brave. The choices Merida makes, the actions she takes to have freedom have devastating consequences for her mother, her father, her family, and her kingdom. One choice, one simple choice she made, brings untold disaster on everything she loves, and all because she decided to rebel.
Forget the jokes people made about this movie, and focus on this: rebellion has a price. The choices we make, both good and bad, can have a greater effect than we ever thought possible, and the simplest action can last for generations.
Brave was what Pixar needed to return to prominence. The story was fun, an enjoyable movie, yet it all pales to the real point of the film: reckless decisions can destroy.
