The Up-and-Coming Pixar Film, Brave
By Isabel Gutierrez
Over the last ten years Pixar has created some of the most memorable animated films. Together, with amazing storytelling and the best animation, Pixar has managed to melt even the coldest heart. Up anyone? Indeed, Pixar has set a high standard for animation films, beginning in 1995 with Toy Story. Toy Story was the first film ever to be completely in CGI and from there paved a path for other CGI films including DreamWorks films. This summer many of us are in extreme anticipation for Pixar’s thirteenth animated film Brave. The film will introduce Disney’s eleventh princess, Merida, a fiery young woman whose mess of curly red hair matches her personality. Armed with a bow and arrow, Merida defies female roles and unknowingly releases a curse upon her kingdom.
The film, opening on June 22, breaks away from standard Pixar tropes. For the first time in Pixar history the lead will be a female. Something that in my opinion was overdue. The film is also co-directed by Brenda Chapman, the first American woman to direct a full length animated feature, which was the Prince of Egypt. The film will captivate audiences with the beautiful but mysterious folklore of Scotland. Pixar’s first time using culture and tradition as a story rather than just a setting. From what we can see in small clips the film is already much darker than previous Pixar films. The Scotland moors are a dangerous and dark place. Merida herself also strays from standard female characters. She yields a bow and arrow as a weapon, which many movie go-ers may familiarize it with strength and power due to the Hunger Games movie.
Another strange but refreshing change to the standard female character is that there is seemingly no love interest for Merida. This lack of romantic interest may be for the best since the story will be able to focus of Merida’s struggle and journey for herself and her kingdom. Though Pixar did not have a glorious year this Oscar season due to the Cars 2 flop, Brave will surely make a name for itself in animation history. As an utter and complete fan of Pixar, I have high hopes for Brave!
