Today's movie is one I've been excited for. A movie that would hopefully put my faith back in Pixar after that disaster of a film from last year, a film that continues the trend of strong female protagonists for this year, and Pixar's first female hero. This movie is...
Let's Begin
PLOT
In a kingdom that is based on fate and tradition, Merida sticks out like a sore thumb. She's a princess destined to rule her kingdom as queen, but she acts anything but. She hardly wears princess like clothes, she's a master archer, and never, NEVER, acts lady like. Her mother tries her hardest to guide Merida toward the path of a princess, but Merida is always defiant. All Merida wants is to change her fate, luckily she finds a way. But because of this selfish act, her fate changes in the worst possible way. Now she must deal with the consequences and set things right before it's too late.
PROS
Since this is a Pixar movie, the animation is absolutely gorgeous. The character designs are great, and so are the sweeping vistas which are breathtaking. And, since this is Pixar, there has to be one new breakthrough in animation technology, this one being Merida's hair. It flows and moves naturally and seems so real you could touch it.
The relationship between Merida and her mother is great and really keeps the film going. The best moments are always between those two.
Something I'm pretty sure no one noticed, but the movie has a few songs that are sung in a natural Irish brood, and it works. The songs are nice with real instruments and it fits into the Irish/Scottish feel.
CONS
The movie doesn't feel like a Pixar movie. While not as bad as Cars 2, it still skews young and rarely has anything for the adults to grasp.
The humor, while funny at times, relies too much on bad slapstick and being "cute". The biggest culprits being Merida's three younger brothers, who are just there to be comic relief and to look cute. I feel they failed at being funny and cuteness can't hold an entire film.
You may have noticed the plot summary was very vague about how her fate had changed, well the reason being that it's considered a twist and I didn't want to spoil it. But I could have done without the twist. What I mean is that I didn't like where the twist went and I wished it had gone more dark and mature, not childish and safe. While it did work out in the end, I just wish it was handled differently.
CONCLUSION
Overall it's a good kids movie, which is the problem. It's just a good kids movie, not a great movie like Pixar has and can still do. They needed to bring in the big guns after last year, and while I won't say they didn't deliver, I won't say they blew me away either. Still, it's a great movie for moms to bring their daughters to.
RATING
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