Brave

John Lasseter, Pixar's chief creative officer, worked to incorporate more female leads after his wife asked him to make strong female characters that she and her nieces could look up to (this was just after Toy Story emerged). He began with inserting Jessie into Toy Story 2, and went on to give Cars more female roles. Approached by Brenda Chapman with an idea for a princess who not only does not dwell on romance, but is a strong, outgoing and athletic woman. To create Brave, Pixar rewrote their animation system for the first time in 25 years. Brave not only won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars this year, but it also won the Annie Award for Best Production Design and Best Editing! Directed by Mark Andrews and Steve Purcell, this movie deserves every nomination and award. Merida, the 16 year old Princess, is voiced by Kelly Macdonald. Her father, King Fergus, is Billy Connolly, and Emma Thompson speaks for the dignified Queen Elinor. What's not to love about the first Disney movie to revolve around a mother-daughter relationship, instead of the romantic 'happily-ever-after?'

Set in Scotland, Merida is given the news: she is to marry and in doing so, permanently unite her family to one of her father's allies. In typical rebellious 16 year old style, she runs off into the forest and comes across the Will o' the Whisps. They lead her to the hut of an elderly witch posing as a wood carver. After recognizing an opportunity to escape her betrothal, Merida bargains with the witch. In the end, she leaves the hut with an enchanted cake that is meant to "change" her mother's mind. This enchanted cake does more than Merida could have expected. Her mother changes into a giant black bear (which is another plot point revolving around the legend of Mordu, the evil King). With the help of her silent triplet brothers, Merida sets off on a journey to "mend the bond torn by pride." 

Thompson, who plays Queen Elinor, was the only voice not authentically Scottish (she is from London). Macdonald and Connolly are both Scottish actors, and the quality of accents adds dramatically to the feel of the movie. I love Merida's voice. Macdonald does a great job of giving Merida enough spice and sass, convincing us that this 16 year old girl just wants to make her own destiny. Connolly is a loveable father, only turning to the fierce role of King when his family is in danger. He does a great job of switching between these roles. Thompson, though her accent is fake, keeps up with the others. She is obviously the worried mother, trying to help protect her kingdom despite the rebellion of her children. All in all, these were great choices to voice such strong willed people.

The music was filled with flutes and bagpipes, giving the viewer a feel for what (at least Americans) we feel to be authentic Scottish tones. It does not fully control the mood, rather accentuate the emotions the actors bring to the screen. The editing was fantastic, and the camera work wasn't limited by being animated. The camera helped to reveal surprises like her brothers being turned to bears, the switch back of her mother, and accentuated the intensity of scenes like when Merida and her mother encounter Mordu (though quick zooming shots).

I loved this movie. Not only because I've always been a huge fan of Disney and Pixar films, but because it does something rare and unique: it focuses on a relationship not involving men. Throughout film and TV, women are rarely seen on screen together (without a man present) unless they are discussing men. On Castle, Beckett isn't allowed a scene with Lanie unless they are talking about Castle. On Gilmore Girls, the discussions between Rory and her mother are rarely not revolving around their latest boy toys. All of the Disney princesses, until now, have revolved around their romantic happy ending. Brave finally is a solid rock for women: a mother-daughter relationship, a tale as old as time (take that, Belle). Merida and Elinor are so alike with strong wills, so they clash. This movie is about a 16 year old realizing that her mother may just be looking out for her, and their kingdom, while Elinor realizes that she shouldn't force her daughter into something as serious as marriage just because that is how things have always been done. They still love each other. They bond. Even boys love this movie because as John Lasseter has stated, it's awesome because there is a bear fight. What's not to love?