Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

I was super excited to get to see a pre-screening of Brave last night with my family. I love British and Scottish accents, and am a die hard Disney fan. We were all tired, but the movie was engaging and captivating and much more than I expected. I laughed, cried, and my son was scared a little., but he loved it too.

While the previews all make the story seem to be woven around Merida’s fate, it is actually about Mother daughter relationships and responsibilities to family and country. I think that is why I cried so much. I won’t give away much more, but I have had moments with my mother and could completely relate to both Merida and the Mom. We got to watch the movie in 3D, which was gorgeous. They did a phenomenal job of portraying Scotland’s beauty, and there were enough effects to keep you interested.

Merida was a strong character for a Disney princess, and a total switch from their traditional roles. I loved the interplay between the parents, and I think I have the triplets all rolled up into one child. My son’s favorite characters were the triplets. He loved their antics, and in many ways is just like them.

There were some parts that startled or scared my son and other children in the audience, so I would caution parents with sensitive children to either preview the movie, or be prepared to have them cover their ears/eyes and sit on your lap. There was a little bit of violence, but it mostly involved animals/bears attacking, which is where the movie was scary. At one point my 7-year-old son got really nervous, but he likes to be scared, so I’m not really sure how to gauge his reaction. I know younger audience members were frightened and maybe should watch at home where the sound and experience isn’t as intense.

To sum up our experience, this is a 5 star movie, and a must see/own. We will be buying a copy as soon as it comes out on Blu Ray. I loved the accents, the scenery and the story. Merida was refreshingly un-princess like, has gorgeous red hair and multiple talents. We loved her relationship with her family. I find many DIsney movies lack that family bond, and it was refreshing to see a movie where the family bond and their relationships were played out so beautifully. Parents were parents, and children were children, but in the end, the family was central to the story, and a huge part of what makes me love the movie.

“Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.
Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.”

Take into consideration your child’s age and temperament, but this is a must see movie for the summer. I would even make it a date night. My husband liked it and he’s pretty picky about “girl” movies. Then come and let me know what you think.

By Natalie

I am a wife, mother and blogger. I love to share what I learn and am constantly learning. My family lives with an Aspergers child, chronic illness and constant financial issues. I blog about this and ways to make life fun and fulfilling in spite of it all. I also blog with Sublime Media Connections, Kate and Kaboodle and several other amazing blog teams. I love what I do, but I am human and often make mistakes, which is why my motto is "muddling through".

56 thoughts on “Brave”
  1. I STILL haven’t gotten to take my girls to see this movie. Having a baby makes it really hard. 🙁

  2. Thanks so much for your honest review! I have not been to see a Disney movie in the theater for years but thought this one looked worth it. Now I know it is!

  3. I’m glad to hear about the mother/daughter relationship angle, and that there is a message behind the movie. I willl definitely want to learn more about that aspect of the movie before going to see it. Thanks for sharing!

  4. I’m so jealous you got to go early! I have heard amazing things about this movie – we’re going this weekend, and I cannot wait!

  5. Excellent birthday party movie for kids…even the boys loved it! Afterward we served a bull’s eye cake with little arrows in it. Lots of fun!

  6. I got movie ticket vouchers from Disney Movie Rewards just so I could go with my two daughters. I just know it is going to be great. I will try not to cry too much and embarrass them!

  7. I’m so jealous that you got to go to a pre-screening! I’m really looking forward to seeing this one, but we probably won’t be able to get to a theater. I guess I’ll have to put it on my list of movies I’m waiting to go to DVD 🙂

    1. It’s cheaper on DVD and then you get to own it forever. We’ll buy it when it comes out. We usually don’t go to the theater because of the price, so this was a real treat for my family.

  8. Can’t wait to take my children to see this movie. Just waiting for a not so hot 110 degree to go.

  9. I can’t wait to see this! We have to wait until our boys are back from visiting their grandparents though 🙁

  10. I too love British and Scotish accents and do a good one myself!! How can you not fall in love with these characters! Ithink this (Braze) movie will turn into a classic. 🙂

  11. Thanks so much for the info about Brave. I actually won an admission ticket to it the other day and I know my son (11 yrs) wants to see it so I will likely be going. It does sound quite good. When I was young there was nothing even close to this sort of thing available…I am old. 😉 I do appreciate you taking the time to explain what it is all about so that I have a bit of an idea before I get there. Thanks again!

  12. Sound like a great family night out! I will definitely take my family to see the 3D version. I can’t wait!

  13. I never do this, but I took my kids on opening day. It was a cute movie. Not the best Disney movie I’ve ever seen, but cute nonetheless. The male characters were a little hard on the eyes (lol) and I think this is the first Disney movie I’ve seen where the princess didn’t end up with a prince!

  14. So just an update… I saw this movie last night with my friends kids and it was a hit with everyone. The 5 year old was quite scared during the bear fighting scenes, but other than that, she loved it. Even the adults were talking about how great it was!

  15. OMGoodness. I so want to see this even more now!! I am so thrilled that it has a mother/daughter central plot. That is my home!! It is just me and my daughter but she is not little. LOL, she just turned 20 🙂 Both of us thought are so excited!!

  16. I’m planning on taking my friend’s children to this movie at the drive in this weekend. Can’t wait!

  17. I am so jealous you have seen it already. Can’t wait to see this one. Great review. I love the British accent so much I am marrying one

  18. I really want to take my step daughter to see this. Love Disney – something fun for the whole family.

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