We attended a prescreening of Disney’s new Pixar film Brave last week before it was officially released to the public.
I rarely do movie reviews here, but something about that curly, red-headed princess makes me want to say some things. So I think a Dumb Mom review of Brave is in order.
Plus, I’ve actually gotten lots of questions about it. So consider this my public service announcement for the year month.
5 Things You Need to Know About Brave the Movie and the Awesome Princess Who Makes it Rock
1. Curly girls rock. I mean, clearly I’ve known this for years, but I’d like to thank Disney for finally getting on that bandwagon. I don’t have a daughter to empower with this film, but I feel a teeny bit empowered myself. And, watching Merida-whose-name-I-had-to-Google-because-I-couldn’t-figure-out-how-to-spell-it-for-the-life-of-me rock her horse, and her bow, and her kingdom with her huge mop of flaming red curls flying around her made me want to high five myself a little for finally realizing that being a curly girl is pretty fan-freakin-tastic. I can’t help but thinking that, had I had a big haired princess to dress up as in my youth, maybe I wouldn’t have spent so many years of my life lamenting the fact that my hair wasn’t just a little bit smaller and a whole lot less unique. Hopefully there’s a big-haired curly girl somewhere who sees this movie and thinks hells yeah, that’s me! Or something.
2. It is scary. My kids are tough inside. Just like they are outside. They aren’t afraid of bears (maybe because we actually had a couple of real life ones in our hood last week?!), or ghosts, or war, or any of that. They know bears don’t attack people (we had to have an in-depth-don’t-freak training session to address the presence of our hood bear), they think they know that ghosts aren’t real, they play war every single day of their lives, and they know that what they see in movies, particularly animated ones, isn’t going to make it’s way into their bedrooms via their closets. So yeah, Brave wasn’t scary to them at all. Mostly they laughed and cheered and laughed some more. But, probably my kids are abnormally desensitized to blood and guts and I realize that some kids will undoubtedly be frightened by the scary images. If you are the mama or papa to a more sensitive child, probably this film isn’t for your little person. The film is rated PG to encourage parental guidance. So, use some if you think your kid is gonna freak at a mangy, oversized snarling bear that rips people’s legs off (and yes, this does happen).
3. There’s a little booty. Because everyone knows what guys wear under those kilts: nothing.
4. It’s supernatural. Even more so than I realized before we went. If that’s not your bag, don’t go. If a little witchcraft and wizardry ain’t no thang but a chicken wang is ok as far as you’re concerned, then by all means, watch it, and prepare to be amazed-ish.
5. It’s a good movie. Sure, I could critique the, um, something, but the overall message (that bucking tradition and being your own person takes guts that we all should aim to have), the dynamic between the mother and the daughter, the comedic relief Pixar is notorious for, the novelty of their adorable accents, the three little brothers that reminded me of The Dudes, and the HAIR is winning in my book. Plus, I just loved that Merida was her own chick in the film, no outdated traditions, no scrunchies, and no lame prince was able to hold her down; that’s the kind of girl power a person can get behind. Totally.
Need me to give it a score? Fine, we’re gonna go with spirit fingers; all ten up and waving happily for Brave!
Love this review!! Refreshingly honest… we’re heading to see it next week!
I have heard some people say it was scary just haven’t taken the time to read a review about it yet. Thanks! Good to know all of this
My 5 yearold girl loved it and my nine year old boy seemed to like it but won’t admit it. But, I heard a couple of kids gasp and saw one hiding under his mom’s arms. My kids, like yours, are tough but I can see where it might get some younger kids.
I’m definitely seeing your spirit fingers and raising you both jazz hands! I. LOVED. IT. Seriously. Yes, it is dark and scary and like I tweeted afterward, totally not for the under 5 set (I’d read two bloggers’ reviews beforehand and knew not to take the 2 yr old), but it is still more reason to love Pixar. That mother/daughter dynamic made me want to cry, you hear me? I wanted to grab my 11 yr old and scream Yes! Yes! That! Aaaaaaaaall of that! I DO know how you feel. I LOVED that they showcased a mother will do ANYTHING for her children. I loved the power of Merida AND her mom. Girl power TIMES TEN AND I AM SCREAMING THROUGH MAH CAPS LOCK KEYS, I AM!
The ONLY issue I’d say I have is that they didn’t even hint to the creepy/scary/legrippingoffbear in the previews/trailers. I would have taken the boy had I not read those reviews and that would have been quite uncool, having to leave like at least two families did who had small ones. Outside of that being a slight fail, it still gets all my fingers in the air and a rowdy SEE IT!
Great info!
As a mom to two wee Scottish curly-haired lasses, I am proud to say I have taught them to love their curls and their freckles from day 1. I’m just thankful that Disney princesses are no longer scrubbing floors while waiting for a man to come save them. Today’s Disney Princesses take destiny by the balls, so to speak.
We probably won’t see it in the theater, but I’m sure we’ll eventually buy it. It sounds like a movie Buster would really like. Not sure about Buddy, but I think Buster would be on board.
Thanks for the heads up! My guy would be scared by the bear leg removal scene.
I feel like all Disney movies have an element of fear.
Snow White
Sleeping Beauty
The Princess and the Frog
My daughter is even afraid of Aladdin!
I guess I will pass on Brave for a while…thanks for the heads up!!
We did see Madagascar 3 in the Imax 3D theater in Manhattan & it was awesome! No scary parts!
Think Lion King scary. If she can handle that she can handle this, but if not you totally need to wait.
We went to a screening last week. My son jumped out of his chair onto my lap, and was completely terrified by the movie. Luckily, he’s a forgiving soul, and was laughing about it later. But in the moment? Totally scary, and completely bad call on my part to take him. Worst mom-son date night ever!
This movie looks about perfect to me and now that I read this I’m even more sure that I’m right. My girls are older and can handle just about any scary thing (geeshh… they watch Paranormal Activity & don’t bat an eye)! I’ll skip taking the toddler though… we can barely get through a 30 minute episode of anything.
Oh, hooray! I’m so happy to “see” those spirit fingers! We’re going this week and can’t wait!
I have to say that this is one of my all time favorite movies. It has taken the place of Tangled in animated favorites. Cady and I have been waiting for a girl power flick for awhile, and this did the trick for us.
I saw a prescreening too and I had the same reaction. I loved how unique her hair was with each individual strand so meticulously done. My five year old boy wasn’t remotely scared and I was kind of confused by some of the comments I overheard implying it was but perhaps we are just very desensitized to that. After all my 5 year old has seen all the Harry Potter movies even the PG 13 one in the theater when he wasn’t five. A part of me hates how protected and sheltered kids are these days. I hate the bubble some place their children if only bc I can’t imagine how frightening it will be that one day it pops.
I loved the movie! My son and I both cried at the end. It was so sweet.
He wasn’t afraid but he’s 8 and is too into zombies.
Oops. The above was me.
We saw the movie over the weekend. I agree her hair was BEAUTIFUL and amazing! I was reading about what it took to create that hair. It was quite time consuming. I agree that the bear, particularly when they find the old bear, was a bit scary. My 4 year old got a little nervous at that part, but was easily comforted. The animation was AMAZING! I also loved the story line. I liked that mom and daughter worked on their relationship. So often I find that it’s usually dad and daughter fixing things.
This wasn’t the movie for us but I had to tell you that I freaking loved reading your review! You are one funny mama :-)
My girls were TERRIFIED of the bear in the preview last year…we won’t be going…even if she’s just like them with the red curly hair. We’ll have to work up to it.
I took my 7 yr old daughter to see this last night after she begged all week. She was TERRIFIED and had to cover her face during the scary bear scenes. She left the movie crying and angry with me for allowing her to see it. The nightmares followed during the night and when she awoke today is asking for all bear related items to be removed from our home. It truly frightened her. She does not want to discuss the movie. :(