On Brave
So the word seems to be that reviews of Pixar's Brave are a bit more critical than the hype would have us want to believe. And well, there is your problem. It's Pixar, it will have hype, and anything less than perfect will have the critics muttering in disappointment. Was the film perfect? Does that even matter in the long run?
To start off, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching Brave. It was gorgeous to watch and to listen to, and it focuses on a relationship that, when you think about it, hardly ever gets addressed in popular media. Was it a perfect movie? Well, I guess on the scale of Pixar quality no, I will admit there were somethings left wanting. From what I've read about the film, there were a lot of changes being made during production, and from the final product I can tell it's a revised story. I found myself at the end really wanting to know more about the legend of the kingdom with the four princes, and in particular the eldest who rebelled and had himself turned into the bear Mor'du. I'm a sucker for stories and legends, and the parallels they provide to the main plot. Maybe I just need to rewatch the film, but I thought there was so much more they could have done to really emphasis the connection between Mor'du and Merida, if there was. There was the lesson/warning that the four clans must stand together to remain strong (if there wasn't any real present threat to explain why it was important, disregarding discussion of past conflicts and rampaging bears), but was Mor'du supposed to provide some sort of insight into Merida's stubborn rebelliousness? Was losing his human soul a broader warning if Merida didn't open her mind to her mother's concerns about being a ruler? Or something.
Yeah, I might be overthinking that a bit, but it just left me genuinly curious what they were going for when we see the old prince's spirit rising from Mor'du's body at the end. Anyways, that's my only real critisism, that from story revisions it seems that the importance of certain story elements got lost in the final product. I'll still proclaim my love for the lessons and relationship it did focus on though.
Why not start with the big one. This is a story about mothers and daughters, and how stubborn we can be when it comes to listening to and understanding each other. Yep, definately a type of story I can identify with. I love my mom most sincerly, and I'm definately going to have to recommend this one to her, but doesn't mean that we don't get in our conflicts (nothing so drastic as marriage at least). Still, it was just so fun to see a story that takes a look at both sides, how Elinor and Merida really do care for each other, and prove so in the end when they show just how fiercely they are willing to fight in order to protect each other, literally. Oh my lord, did I love that ending. I'll admit, I cried. There were tears. Just the thought of almost losing my mom like that, or at all.
But oh lord, just the whole plot about the mother turning into a bear, leading to a whole mother-daughter bonding adventure of fishing and sneaking into castles. Brilliant! But man, I am just so ticked off that weeks ago I ran across a spoiler that while it only vaguely hinted at the transformation, but it was enough that I knew what was coming and ruined the surprise. Still, the animation! perfect!
Have to say I was pretty happy with the resolution overall. I never once bought the idea that "mend the bond" was truly literal, in regards to the tapestry, but was rather the mother-daughter bond scarred by their arguement. I think that is what the film was trying to convey, when Elinor only turned back after Merida told her how much she loved her. (Lol, it really is like Beauty and the Beast, huh.) In some ways it did seem that the resolution came more into Merida's favor, since Elinor did let up on the whole marriage pressure, but Merida did learn a few things herself about responsibility. She never would have been able to talk to all the clans, I believe, if she hadn't taken to heart her mother's lessons on becoming an effective ruler. Plus it was so obvious that the queen was the real power behind the throne, so who'd be a better teacher?
On a side note, so far have maintained record of only seeing movies in theater this year that have archers in them. Though, and this is only somewhat related, when I purchased my ticket at the boxoffice, I might have had a certain other film on my mind, because when I looked down at my ticket once I got inside the theater, I realized that I must have subconsiously asked for The Avengers. Eheheh, hehhh... I blame the Gyro place just outside the theater with the sign saying "Try our home-made chicken shawarma" under a picture of the Avengers cast lineup.