‘Brave’ continues Pixar’s near-perfect streak

Brave, the first time Pixar has crafted a movie around a central female figure, turns out to be a rollicking good time. The movie, starring the voice talents of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson, isn’t quite as excellent as Wall-E or Up or the original Cars, but when compared to most family films in the market, the movie excels beyond all expectations.

Merida (Macdonald) is a tomboy with a penchant for mischief. She’s living in Scotland and is coming of age as the highly desirable princess of the royal family. Her father Fergus (Connolly) is a legendary bear hunter with a lovable buffoon nature, and her mother Elinor (Thompson) is a traditionalist, bending toward the older ways. When Merida learns she needs to follow her parents’ advice and enter into an arranged marriage, the red-haired princess goes berserk. Much more interested in galloping on her horse through the woods and practicing her increasingly impressive archery skills, Merida wants nothing to do with the restrictiveness of marriage.

Plus, her suitors, all young men from nearby clans, are nothing special. They’re either ugly, stupid or all of the above. Still, Elinor presses the issue and insists that her daughter make a choice.

Upset and scared for the future, the princess escapes the confines of her castle and travels into the woods to think about her options. While following ghostly will o’ the wisps, she finds a witch’s residence and decides to stop in for a visit. The little old lady (voiced by Julie Walters) seems to have a solution for Merida’s problems, and it doesn’t take long for a spell to be cast and for Elinor to turn into a bear.

Brave is unconventional in many respects, and it never feels perfectly organic that Merida’s mother would suddenly turn into a bear. Equally strange is that the movie’s entire focus changes once the spell is cast. It’s now up to the princess to undo the magic so her father and his drunken cohorts don’t hunt down Elinor in her bear-like state. The tale of the young rebel and her tomboyish ways is somewhat hijacked by this fantastical element, but Brave’s creators are able to keep everything energetic, humorous and exciting. There’s not a wasted moment in the movie’s 100-minute duration.

One of the strongest attributes of the film is Merida’s character. As a Disney character, she’s unique and likable. She’s not another princess who is dying to meet up with her Prince Charming. Merida is strong and independent, moving through life on her own terms. These are great qualities to teach the younger viewers of the Pixar film.

It’s also encouraging that the creators — including writers Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman and Irene Mecchi — keep Merida’s parents in the picture. Too often these animated films kill off either the mother or father, and the parental loss becomes the main struggle for the movie. Think Finding Nemo, Bambi, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Up. It’s admirable to show several different family makeups, but Disney was getting hampered by its constant determination to have its characters deal with a major death in the family.

Brave stays positive and fun, and the movie is just as enjoyable for boys. Merida is a character that can be appreciated by everyone. Plus, the visuals are stunning. The Scottish highlands and the castle settings are meticulously created, and each character is crafted with design features that bring out their personalities.

Brave is not the “best of the best” for Pixar, but it’s a superb entry in the company’s repertoire.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Pixar

• 2012

• Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman and Steve Purcell

• Written by Andrews, Chapman, Purcell and Irene Mecchi; based on a story by Chapman

• Starring the voice talents of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson and Julie Walters

• Running time: 100 minutes

• Rated PG for some scary action and rude humor

• Rating: