For some lore on this review series
And we’re back to the another Pixar title that is a rewatch. To be perfectly honest, I did not care for Brave the first time I watch it. I remember coming away from it really disliking Merida and also not really recalling the plot at all. I think I immediately forgot what the will-o-wisps did but remember them being in the movie. I think I just forgot the witch entirely.
But I went into this rewatch with an open mind.
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It Couldn’t Pick a Lane
To be honest, I didn’t dislike Brave or Merida on a second watch. I think I enjoyed more on a second viewing but that being said I think to some capacity I want to like this movie more than I do.
It’s fine but there is some weird disconnects in the story that I feel stems from the production history which saw a switch in directors. Apparently the original director, Brenda Chapman, wanted a more intimate fairy-tale narrative about a daughter/mother relationship. This sparked a creative difference between Chapman and John Lassiter. Chapman was then replaced by Mark Andrews. Can’t be certain what Andrews ultimately changed from Chapman’s vision but there is some indication online that Andrew went for more humor and action.
In many ways it did feel like Disney animation and Pixar switched story styles because Pixar did the fairy-tale princess movie and Disney did the abstract concepts with feelings with Wreck-it Ralph. Not an original take by any means but that only because there is truth to it.
Whatever the issues with the production, Brave is just unbalanced in terms of its execution of plot and general thesis/theme as it meanders between a fantasy action movie and family drama. Can a film be both? Yes but Brave is unfocused at best.
Plot
The plot of Brave is about Merida, a princess and heir who is instructed by her mother, Elinor, to be the perfect royal lady. Merida however would rather ride her horse, climb up waterfall cliffs, practice archery feats, and leave her bow on the dining table.
The crux of the issue is Merida is supposed to get betrothed but she doesn’t want to and Elinor doesn’t listen to her daughter. There is also a demon bear. I don’t really want to nit-pick since Brave is a fantasy movie with a Scottish-inspired setting but the choice of bears in Scotland was defiantly choice. Wearing kilts is also a choice but while not historically accurate to the time period that Brave is emulating, the wearing of kilts is more of a cultural signifier for the audience. Though bear imagery in Scotland does exist more in heraldry and ancient myth. I suppose if one takes the bears in Scotland as the result of magic in Brave since native bears population were extinct in Scotland by the point in time that Brave is emulating and it is a fantasy movie. Still it’s a choice and plesiosaurus could have also worked too. But really any excuse for a water horse should be taken. But that is enough of the nit-pick tangent.
So there is a really a disconnect from Merida’s issues with her mother vs turning her mother into a bear and its resolution. The movie suggests that they need to understand each other but all it took was one day of her mother eating salmon for Elinor to let her get out getting betrothed and Merida admitting she was wrong about wanting Elinor to change. They also have to fight the demon bear who has a back-story with their kingdom. It felt more shoe-horned even though it was a focus of Chapman’s vision.
The Thesis/Theme
On the one hand you have the set-up of a plucky princess who wants a choice in her future, which she does get in the end but the thesis and resolution is Merida taking responsibility for her actions because she was vague with her spell with the witch.
I feel confused more than anything. Now could I just not have gotten this movie or its thesis? Yes! There is a lot of in this movie about fate and tradition. But the movie undermines itself but stating that sometimes people are lead by fate and sometime their not. Are they suggesting that fate is for some and not for others because of traditions?
But saying it’s their tradition to have betrothal of the three other clans’ firstborn sons with Highland Games but Merida’s father was made their king is something of puzzlement. Merida’s father being the king implies the kingdom is quite young so how old is this tradition? One speech from Merida undoes the tradition so it couldn’t have been that sacred to the clans even though it would have played into the politic of the next monarch since Merida is heir. Now she doesn’t have to marry or marry when and if she is ready? Right?
Brave also talks a lot of Merida’s responsibility as princess. While she does prefer to be active we do see her compiling to her mother’s instruction. She gets a few days off every so often but mostly it does seems like she tries she just didn’t want to get betrothed to someone who wasn’t her choice and she wants to put her bow on the table. In this way, Brave is shade like Aladdin as Jasmine also wanted a choice and a bit more like Brother Bear all wrapped in a tartan?
That is overly simplistic since the movie does weave its narrative and between the mother/daughter dynamics and bear magic while also trying to discuss fate/free will and duty. It’s there but distilled and unfocused.
Final Thoughts
As previously mentioned, I didn’t dislike this movie on this rewatch but I do find Brave to be unfocus and underwhelming. More’s the pity because the setting is interesting and Merida as a character basis is compelling.
I did enjoy Elinor acting like very regal, well-mannered, and lady-like bear. It was cute.
