Walt Disney Pictures Presents: Brave
In Brief
Set in Scotland in a rugged and mythical time, Brave features Merida, an aspiring archer and impetuous daughter of royalty. Merida makes a reckless choice that unleashes unintended peril and forces her to spring into action to set things right. Starring the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Waters and Craig Ferguson.
Our Review
by Derek J. Samms
Girls Rule, Bears Drool in Brave
And girls aren’t the only thing that rules in this film. Pixar has done it again, employing their characteristic charm to tell yet another heartwarming adventure story, set this time in the Scottish Highlands. The setting becomes as much the star as any of the voice talents (the cast includes such UK legends as Kelly MacDonald, Craig Ferguson, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, and Billy Connolly). With its sweeping landscapes, rugged mountains, towering waterfalls, and rich cultural elements, it’s clear from the beginning Brave could not take place anywhere else.
At the outset we are introduced to Merida, the feisty redheaded princess who loves riding and archery and refuses to be betrothed to anyone before she is ready. Although her mother has always given her lessons about behaving like a lady, Merida yearns to be herself and live life as she chooses. When her parents call the clan leaders to present their eldest sons as suitors, she devises a few tricks to avoid being matched against her will, and in the aftermath puts a plan into action that will change her destiny—even if it’s not in the way she expects.
While the basic idea may sound old hat—a girl doesn’t want to have her life planned out for her and goes searching for her own way (Remember another a princess who ran away to find “a whole new world,” a Native American girl who wanted to look “beyond the river bend,” or another redhead who wasn’t content living “under the sea”?)—Merida’s story is anything but rehashed. For one, as soon as Merida sets her plan in motion, she faces consequences and has to deal with how changing her fate affects the people she cares about. She’s not all tomboy either. She wears dresses in every scene, and her mother’s lessons in ladylike prowess come in handy later (we won’t tell you how—see the movie). With their typical wit and aplomb for original storytelling, the good people at Pixar were clever enough to give the whole girl-who-wants-to-break-free idea a fresh spin, so rest assured it will be different from what you’ve seen before.
Even if the story weren’t enchanting, the animation would be worth the price of the ticket. Not only the landscape, but the characters’ costumes; the various bears, horses, and will-o’-the-wisps; and the wild frenzy that is Merida’s hair are nothing short of a feast for the eyes. In an age when animation technology continues to improve and each film raises the bar a little more, Brave is no exception. The smooth surfaces and sharp angles of a computerized world are virtually nonexistent in this film, which displays twisted forests, rapid animals, and rugged humans in a way reminiscent of a storybook rather than digital files.
But if you’re looking for an innocent bedtime story for your three-year-old sister, look elsewhere. Brave is both irreverent in its humor and dark in its content. As co-writer-director Mark Andrews revealed, the creators of the film wanted it to feel like the classic Grimm fairy tales, and while there are light moments, the peril that Merida and her family experience make this a dangerous journey that may frighten younger children. For those of us who love excitement with a mix of tenderness, though, Brave is a winner.
More About the Film
Cast Members and Makers of Brave Offer an Inside Look
by Derek J. Samms
“We can have control of our own destinies if we’re brave enough to look inside ourselves and find out what that really is.” That’s how Mark Andrews summarized the message of Brave at a press conference for the film on Monday. And it sounds like the actors and filmmakers had to look inside themselves to make Brave the magical journey that it is. As they attested, it takes a lot of work for a Pixar film to match the company’s reputation.
On the day of the Hollywood premiere, Stars Kelly MacDonald, Craig Ferguson, and Kevin McKidd answered questions about their experience with the film, followed by writer-director Mark Andrews and producer Katherine Sarafian, who filled everyone in on the long task of creating Brave.
It was clear from the outset that the actors were a dynamic combination. Ferguson is just as witty live and unscripted as he is on television, McKidd has his characteristic sense of humor, and MacDonald has a tender charm that fans can’t help but love. While their personalities and talents are certainly a huge factor in the quality of the film, the actors had quite a lot to say about the skill of the animators.
Regarding the animation company’s well-established reputation, Ferguson said, “When the name Pixar is on the offer, it’s not really an offer. It’s more of a summons…and you go, or you’re a fool.” Regarding the experience of voice acting, he had this to say: “I think that it’s good for me ‘cause I’m not a very good actor,” though we’d beg to differ, “so what I do is, I don’t get in my own way. I’m pretty good at voices and people who are good at acting can draw in good acting.”
All the actors seemed just as excited to be a part of this project, including MacDonald, who stars as the studio’s first leading lady—an idea that surprised her: “It took me passing by that I was going to be the first female protagonist in a Pixar movie until quite recently, until I started doing interviews.” Of course, the predominance of male leads in the past didn’t bother her, as she said, “I haven’t watched a Pixar movie and felt wronged in that there wasn’t a female protagonist. They make films about fish and toys and robots, and there are so many strong female characters in those films…but I am grateful, having said all that.”
While all three were glad for the opportunity to lend their voices to these characters, there was one downside for the actors: working in booths alone. As McKidd pointed out, “Everyone was in different areas of the country and parts of the world. It’s a shame, but we’d never have gotten any work done if we were in the same room.” Fortunately for us, they did get their work done.
And so did the animators. A major point that stood out regarding the production of the film was the level of research that went into it. Andrews and Sarafian discussed the journeys the filmmakers made through the Highlands where, as Sarafin said, “We smelled the smells, looked at the skies, talked to locals and heard the rhythm of the language. All that was really important—sketching, drawing, photograph, video—brought it all back and looked at it in Emeryville, California and tried to create this world...We really wanted this character in the movie of Scotland.” All that research impressed the Scottish actors, who, apart from a few ideas here and there for dialogue, felt they had little to add to the writers’ and animators’ knowledge of the land. “I think the filmmakers have seen more of Scotland than I’ve seen,” said MacDonald.
Still, the animators continued to seek inspiration, observing some of the actors while they recorded their lines. According to Sarafian, a camera in the booth recorded Emma Thompson while she spoke so the animators could mimic the emotions displayed on her forehead. With all that, they never used motion capture though. “No motion capture whatsoever,” Andrews insisted, meaning all the lifelike movements of bears, horses, and humans you see in the movie are rendered solely through the skill of the artists.
While the actors and creators might have described their work with humility, this story is told with Pixar’s unmistakable quality of filmmaking. Like its predecessors, Brave gives viewers an alternately heartwarming and hilarious adventure told with state-of-the-art animation. Take charge of your own destiny, and see it in theatres starting this Friday.
Meet the Characters
MERIDA (Voice of Kelly Macdonald)
Passionate and fiery, Merida is a headstrong teenager of royal upbringing who is struggling to take control of her own destiny. She feels most at home in the outdoors honing her impressive athletic skills as an archer and swordfighter, and racing across the magnificent Highland countryside with her faithful horse, Angus. With a spirit as vibrant as her untamed hair, Merida also has a softness of heart, especially when it comes to her wee triplet brothers.
QUEEN ELINOR (Voice of Emma Thompson)
A vision of grace, wisdom and strength of character, Queen Elinor is fiercely dedicated to the well being of her family and kingdom. As the measured, diplomatic counterpoint to her more impulsive husband, King Fergus, Elinor carries the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders.
KING FERGUS (Voice of Billy Connolly)
Protector of his kingdom and family, King Fergus is a heroic warrior with a majestic bear cape, broad sword and a knobby peg leg – the result of his much-regaled skirmish with the demon bear Mor’du.
THE TRIPLETS
Identical triplets Harris, Hubert and Hamish are adorable, redheaded, and always ready to stir up a bit of mischief, especially if sweets are at stake.
ANGUS
Black as night with ivory muzzle and fetlocks, Angus is Merida’s powerful Clydesdale and her most trusted confidant.
THE LORDS
The three lords of the kingdom – Dingwall, Macintosh and MacGuffin – are the unruly, overzealous leaders of their respective clans. Though once warring factions, they have been united under the sword of King Fergus and held together by the diplomacy and political savvy of Queen Elinor.
LORD MACGUFFIN (Voice of Kevin McKidd)
Strapping Lord MacGuffin is a man of few words, though his deep voice resounds across the land demanding respect.
YOUNG MACGUFFIN (Voice of Kevin McKidd)
Speaking an uncommon Scottish dialect that is incomprehensible to most, Young MacGuffin is a shy lad of large proportions.
LORD DINGWALL (Voice of Robbie Coltrane)
Grumpy and quick-tempered, the scrappy Lord Dingwall doesn’t let being height-challenged get in the way of solving his problems with fisticuffs.
WEE DINGWALL
Gangly, guileless and often lost in his own head, Wee Dingwall is the awkward son of Lord Dingwall.
LORD MACINTOSH (Voice of Craig Ferguson)
The wiry, indignant and off-kilter leader of his clan, Lord Macintosh is always a heartbeat away from hysterics.
YOUNG MACINTOSH
Young Macintosh knows he has it all – athletic physique, undeniable charm and long flowing locks that leave the lasses swooning in his wake.
Scottish Glossary
Before you head to the theater you might want to learn some of these words. They'll come in handy as you journey through Scotland courtesy of Brave.
AUTOCHTHONOUS
Indigenous, native
- Taught to filmmakers by Emma Thompson (voice of Queen Elinor), who used it to describe “Brave’s” Castle Dunbroch because it appears to have grown right out of the earth.
BLUE WODE
A blue dye extracted from a cabbage-type plant used by inhabitants of ancient Scotland to paint their bodies
- Lord MacGuffin and Young MacGuffin paint their bodies in blue wode to proclaim that they are ready for battle at any moment.
BRAE
Hill
BUNCH OF GALOOTS
Many fools
- galoot = clumsy, oafish person
CARNYX
A Celtic trumpet with a bell shaped like a boar’s head. Held vertically so it can be heard in large crowds, a carnyx was used during wartime to send troops into battle.
- In “Brave,” it signals the start of the Highland Games.
CRIVENS, YOU’RE FIERCE
Wow! You’re cool or ferocious or tough!
- crivens = expression of surprise or shock
DANCING TATTY BOGLE
An expression that describes something outlandish or imaginary
- tatty = shabby, cheap
- bogle, boggle or bogill = ghost or folkloric being
DORIC
A dialect from the Aberdeenshire region in Scotland
- Elgin native Kevin McKidd (voice of MacGuffin and Young MacGuffin), who learned Doric from his grandfather, proposed to filmmakers for Young MacGuffin to speak the incomprehensible dialect in “Brave.”
DREADFUL COLLYWOBBLES
Unwanted stomachache or a bad case of the nerves
- collywobbles = upset stomach; intestinal disturbances or a feeling of apprehension
FOR NAUGHT
For no reason
FINISH WHAT HE GUDDLED IN THE FIRST PLACE
Fix, clean up or otherwise remedy something that’s been horribly mishandled.
- guddle = make a mess of it
GAMY SPELL
An unfortunate bit of magic
- gamy = bad
GLEN
Small, narrow, secluded valley
GOOGLY OLD HAG
Outlandish, unattractive senior
- googly = strange, odd
GIANT HAVING A JIGGER IN THE BLUEBELLS
Similar to Dancing Tatty Bogle, something that’s absurd or fantastical
HAGGIS
Though some will joke that a haggis is a small animal native to Scotland, it is actually a traditional Scottish pudding made with sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, encased in a sheep’s stomach and cooked for several hours. Often served with “neeps and tatties" (turnips and potatoes).
HIGHLAND GAMES
Festivals that celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Includes competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, archery, caber tossing, stone put and other Scottish athletics, plus entertainment and exhibits.
JIGGERY POKERY
Nonsense
JINGS CRIVENS HELP MA BOAB
Oh my!
Exclamation of bewilderment or exasperation
KILT
A pleated and draped tartan fabric garment worn by Scottish men
- During the production of “Brave” director Mark Andrews and several animators wore kilts to work on Fridays—dubbed Kilt Fridays—to get in the spirit of Scotland and the film’s characters.
LASS
Girl
LAD
Boy
LOCH
Lake
MANKY DOGS
Unsavory person or being
- manky = dirty, worthless or in bad taste
MICHTY ME
Wow! Holy cow!
An exclamation of surprise, shock or being overwhelmed
NUMPTY
Useless individual
NUT ‘EM
Head-butt ‘em
SCAFFY WITCH
A tricky or slick being with magical powers
- scaffy = trickster
SCARED SIMPERIN’ JACKANAPES
Belittling description of a goofy and unworthy opponent
- simpering = silly smile
- jackanape = an insulting reference to a monkey or ape; a braggart; a mischievous child
SCUTTLE THE VIKING LONGSHIPS
Sink Viking ships by making holes in the bottom
STUFF HER GOB
Eat with abandon
- gob = mouth
TARTAN
A specially designed woven fabric that identifies a clan. April 6th is National Tartan Day in the United States.
TOSSING CABERS
A test of strength and skill seen in Highland Games in which the competitor raises a pole vertically with the small end down, and then throws it
- Caber = a long, tapered section of a tree trunk
TUMSHIE
Turnip… or foolish person. Or both.
WEE
Small
WE’LL BILE YUR HEED WAE DUMPLIN’ BREED; TAE MAKE AN URSINE STEW
- bile yer heed (boil your head) = don’t be ridiculous. Also used as an exclamation if someone is doing something stupid and it's annoying
- In “Brave” King Fergus sings what he’ll do to the demon bear Mor’du when he catches him to avenge his lost leg. Not only will he boil his head, but he’ll add dumplings to make a bear stew.
WILL O’ THE WISPS
Ghostly lights or small blue spirits that lead the way to treasure or doom.
- In “Brave,” the will o’ the wisps lead Merida to change her fate.
Learn how to do the Highland Scotische dance
ANCIENT DELIVERY – The Witch, an eccentric crone disguised as a woodcarver specializing in whittling wooden bear figurines and conjuring
haphazard spells, showcases her mysterious and inexplicable knowledge of the future with a carved figurine of the infamous Pizza Planet truck, an iconic delivery
vehicle that’s appeared in nearly every full-length feature film from Pixar Animation Studios since 1995’s Toy Story.
NO MONSTERS IN THE CLOSET – A carving of Sulley, the lovable blue monster slated to return to the big screen in 2013’s Monsters University, appears on a piece of wood in the home of the Witch, an eccentric crone and woodcarver.
Clips
"Kilt"
"Witch Away"
"Summer Games" Trailer