About Brave

Brave is an animated fantasy movie released in 2012 by Pixar Animation Studios. The film is set in the Scottish Highlands and follows a brave princess named Merida who defies an age-old custom by refusing to marry against her will. This defiance causes chaos in the kingdom and after consulting with a witch for help, Merida uses a spell that goes terribly awry to set things right. As she strives to rectify her mistake, she learns the true meaning of courage and bravery.

Making / Production

"Brave" was the first Pixar movie to feature a female lead. The film took about 6 years to produce, it experimented a lot in its production stage and underwent various changes in the storyline and the characters. Another interesting feature is its setting, the Scottish Highlands, which was meticulously recreated using real photographs and advanced computer graphics.

Actors

• Kelly Macdonald - Voiced Merida, the brave princess. She infused audacity, stubbornness, and softness into the character. She did a fantastic job of portraying Merida's tenacity and youthful impetuousness.
• Billy Connolly - Voiced King Fergus, Merida's father. He brought out the boisterous and loving nature of the character, enhancing Fergus' wild spirit and affectionate temper.
• Emma Thompson - Voiced Queen Elinor, Merida's mother. She excellently conveyed Elinor's royal demeanor, her motherly concern for her children and the kingdom, and her tension with Merida's desire for freedom.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Brave is the first Pixar film with a female protagonist.
• The title "Brave" was chosen as a reflection of the lead character's journey in the movie.
• The film took about six years to make due to its complex production values and storyline developments.

Awards

For its captivating storytelling and unprecedented animation, "Brave" won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2013. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film in the same year.

Quotes

• "Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it." - Merida
• "A princess does not chortle." - Queen Elinor
• "I am Merida, and I'll be shooting for my own hand." - Merida

• "Touch the Sky" performed by Julie Fowlis features as a key motivator in the film, exemplifying Merida’s desire for freedom.
• “Into the Open Air” also performed by Julie Fowlis, which resonates with the emotional journey of Merida.
• "Learn Me Right" by Birdy and Mumford and Sons, resonates well with the climax of the film.
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