This summer’s cinema outing for us was to see…
Pixar’s latest animation – they spent two years working on getting her hair right, apparently! Plot – without spoilers – Merida is a Scottish princess [voiced by Kelly Macdonald] living with Dad [Billy Connolly – who else!] Mum [Emma Thompson] and three wild triplet younger brothers.
Mum despairs of ever teaching her huntin’, shootin’, fishin’ gal to be a Proper Princess. Merida despairs of the appalling choice of gormless suitors who line up to win her hand in marriage.
The story concerns the tapestry that is family life – how our lives interweave with one another, and what actions can bind, and which can rend our relationships. How ‘pride’ has a good, and a bad side, and what it truly means to be brave.
Yes is is a love story – but not in the conventional Disney sense.
Technically, I thought the film brilliant- the textures, the details, the lighting, the music, the voices, the glorious Scottish scenery…
Plotwise, I thought it was very clever, and thought-provoking. If you are a mother who has experienced an adolescent daughter, you will understand! Bob and I really enjoyed it. I hope the other ten people dotted around the virtually empty cinema with us did too!
[there’s another more comprehensive, well written review here]
Other comments – I loved Pixar’s pre-main-feature offering – La Luna
That was a sweet little piece! Before the two films we had the usual run of trailers and advertisements. I thought this one was brilliant.
My heart aches for those families where relationships have fallen apart – and I hope this new phone number gets used. Lots.
I'm glad you liked it - the boys and I did, too!
ReplyDeleteHavent seen Brave yet - it was the talk of Disney and released in the States when we were there in June so I must go soon! thanks for sharing the poem with me yesterday - my Son enjoyed his first day (such a relief!) - todays its my youngests turn (first day at Junior school) - its all go here! Hope your day went ok yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHaven't yet seen it - we'll probably watch it on DVD.
ReplyDeleteI love the word "gormless". :)
Is it not a fabulous word? It means "lacking in intelligence, and the will and vitality to correct the deficiency" and dates back at least 300 years. I use it often [chiefly about men, I confess!] 'That bloke is totally without gorm' I will say to Bob]
Deleteinteresting. i might look that up
ReplyDelete