Wang and Muller, Watching Movies: Pixar's 'Brave'

Museum staffers Andi Wang (right) and Anel Muller (left) review movies--past and present--inspired by, related to, or produced by Disney. In honor of The WDFM's first anniversary YouTube contest they starred in, Wang and Muller will be rating each movie on a scale of facial hair: scruff (worst), mustache, goatee, mutton chops, and full-on beard (best). In celebration of the opening day of a highly anticipated film, "Wang and Muller, Watching Movies" take a look at the new Pixar feature Brave!

“Every man dies, not every man really lives”.  Ok ok, although this quote is from another Scottish themed film, it can also be applied to the newest movie from Pixar: Brave.  The movie tells the story of a young girl trying to break tradition and change her fate.  But like all other movies having to deal with changing of fate, we feel that our fate is what we make it and simply making the decision that you want something different is enough to redirect your path.

The animation on this film is absolutely indescribable. When scenes that featured the characters at a distance would come around, we would often forget we were watching an animated film.  Individual strands of hair blowing in the wind, water cascading down a waterfall--even a horse walking in the forest--was incredibly real.

The gags were by far the funniest we have seen in any animated film.  Pixar did not miss addressing every single Scottish stereotype from indecipherable speech to fun times with kilts and even blue face paint.  They were all there and they definitely delivered the laughter.

On the flip side, the story in this Pixar film is among the weakest we can remember in recent history. It's a story that seems like one that has been done many times before, yet the "twist" on it almost seemed hokey to a point. In the new wave of Disney movies featuring princesses, Pixar also jumps on the bandwagon with molding its heroine into the anti-princess; one who is strong, bold, independent, and rebellious to an extent. We fully support and encourage this type of character, but our issue being that while the premise is great and the story is interesting, there was just not enough editing.  It takes too long to get to the meat of the story. With that said, we can only imagine how much must have been left on the cutting room floor. Although the story seemed to move quite quickly, skimming only the surface at times, at the end of it all, the message and heart of the film still shines.

Admittedly—as it is a Pixar film—we unfairly went into the movie already holding it to incredibly high standards. Though it had its weaknesses, we still really enjoyed this film.  It was entertaining and a great date for a mother and daughter (Anel saw it with her five-year old, Laila; and Andi wishes she saw it with her mother).  Therefore, grab your best kilt and head out to see Brave!

The animation and the gags definitely elevate this movie from Goatee to Mutton Chops.

The views and opinions expressed in the "Wang and Muller, Watching Movies" series are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the official position, thoughts, and opinions of The Walt Disney Family Museum, Walt Disney Family Foundation, or any of its affiliates.