Her father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly) is supportive of her decision, as far as it depends on him. The trouble is, it doesn’t just depend on him.
His wife, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) believes quite strongly that women (and particularly princesses) shouldn’t use weapons, but should be proper ladies, and follow the long-held traditions of their Scottish clan Dun Broch.
To that end, Fergus and Elinor have sent word to the three other clan leaders Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane), MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd) and Macintosh (Craig Ferguson) that their daughter is of age, and is in need of a suitor.
They all show up at the castle, presenting their suitors to Merida, who couldn’t be more uninterested. After a huge argument with her mother, she runs away, and gets a spell from a witch (Julie Walters) to try and get her own way with Elinor.
The spell has disastrous consequences, and Merida and Elinor must join forces to break the spell before it’s too late.
Firstly, I want to say that computer animation (this is yet another Disney/Pixar film) has come quite a long way since the early days. The scenery and backgrounds in this film are so realistic, it is quite easy to forget you are watching an animated film. The opening shot of mountains and trees as the camera swoops down to ground level is a great example, and it only gets better from there.
The music (composed by Patrick Doyle) is well suited throughout, with the use of many Celtic instruments to give a strong sense of place, while at the same time not resorting to stereotypes. There are even three songs in the film (while it isn’t a musical as such, the songs accompany the action rather than being sung by characters), and these songs are fantastic, in particular the first one, which is still going around and around in my head as I write this.
The script by Mark Andrews & Steve Purcell and Brenda Chapman & Irene Mecchi (as with all Pixar films to date) has plenty for young and old viewers alike to enjoy. I love the inclusion of Merida’s three younger brothers, who provide excellent moments of comic relief throughout.
Andrews, Purcell and Chapman also directed the film, and they have done a fantastic job. There are some beautiful messages in this film about family and tradition, and stepping out on one’s own, and being brave (yes, the name of the film).
In the same way that the film Meet Joe Black will make you call your father and tell him you love him, this film will make you call your mother. (And if you do call her, tell her to watch the film, too!)
It may not be Pixar’s greatest film, but it is certainly better than some of them.
8 out of 10.
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