Brave

The movie Brave was one of the films I anticipated this year. I'd been watching the trailers since the start of the year. You know I have the thing for archers, so this movie was surely be on my list. Plus, I'm curious to know more about the bear, and it's relation to the

movie.

The rich history and legend of Scotland has helped the creators to set the atmosphere of the movie.

I like how they set up the kingdom. No fancy thrones,or halls. The dining table was made of food, without that fancy carvings. Everything is in place.

Merida's triplet brothers are cute, though I think it might've been better to let them talk. You know they are too clever for their age, but they don't talk. Isn't it weird?

One of the things notable in this movie, is the posture of archery contestants. According here, the animators got the good and bad postures as accurate as possible. I think it just earned 'Brave's animators, extra bragging rights.  

Now about the plot, finally there's a story of about mother-daughter relationship. The movie makes sure impart the importance of listening.

With her untimely bethrotal, Merida couldn't help but rebel against her mother's decision. 

In her rage she slashed their family tapestry. Not only that, she took the chance to change her fate, with the help of the old witch.

And so it happened, her mother fell under the spell and it can only be undone if she 'mend the bond torn by pride' or else her mother would permanently be a bear.

When this happened, you might initially think that Merida realizes her grave mistake and accepted her part in this. But no, she was defensive.And she just thought, oh sewing up the tapestry would do the trick.

The story played out well, that her pride continued to blind her, but at the very last moment, she finally apologized, and more than mending the tapestry, she was able to mend a much important bond- her bond with her mother.

So much on the positive, now let me just tell the part which I don't like so much.

It's about Mourdu, a prince from the ruined kingdom who asked for a spell for him to have the strength of 10 warriors. So it turned out he got stuck with the spell and became a bear, permanently.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't have any problem with that, nor I had a problem when he attacked the family in the beginning or when he attacked Merida in the ruins.

But come one, on the last part, when they were in the menhirs he started attacking,and the poor warriors who charged were nothing against him, then Mor'du, as if holding a certain grudge, happens to single Merida out. Why would he do that? What prompted him? Why would he like Merida killed.

I'm thinking it's just so to have a fight scene, but it looks that the intention/motivation of the villain was weak.  

It seems like from the beginning he wanted to hurt her, but the question is why? My questions wasn't anywhere near answered by the end of the film. Anyway, children could easily just ignore it, so it's fine, at least the beast was gone now.

And the other clans warriors, if they act like one, were not given much depth of character in the movie. All the clans just kept fighting when they get the chance, no other deeper stories about them. 

Anyway I still think this movie has some worth, think deeper and learn the lessons this movie gives.