D23 Expo First Impressions: BRAVE to impress next summer
The next Pixar film to grace the screen is next summer’s BRAVE. Being the closest to release, they shared a new clip from the film that was mostly finished along with some behind the scene videos that elaborated on the story.
BRAVE marks entirely new territory for Pixar – it’s their first fairytale, period piece, and female lead all in one! Directed by Mark Andrews, the film follows a strongwilled young princess as she tries to avoid being married as a peace bargain for her kingdom. While this Disney does have a lot of princess history, this is a completely different kind of princess.
The behind the scenes clips revealed their research trips to Scotland and how the land influenced the story – every blade of grass, every flower has some history to it. It also revealed the lore behind the floating blue orbs that have appeared in concept art and posters. These blue orbs are “Will of the Wisps” and Scot legend states that you can follow these disappearing orbs to your fate – be it fortune or doom.
In BRAVE, Merida follows these Will of the Wisps to an old witch in the forest. She sees this as her chance to get out of a forced marriage and has her cast a spell. Unfortunately, this spell goes horribly wrong and now the entire kingdom is in danger.
The clip shown revealed the suitors and rival clan leaders, as well as how Merida narrows down her suitors to find out who gets her hand in marriage. Merida gets to choose the game the suitors will play for her hand, and of course picks Archery. The three gentlemen callers are non-too-bright and the first two barely hit the target. But then, the last to shoot somehow lucks into a bullseye. Just as they’re about to announce him as her betrothed, Merida surprises everyone in attendance by shooting three perfect shots, claiming that she is shooting for her own hand in marriage.
This short clip revealed the strong spirit of the princess, as well as the great relationship she has with her father the king. Throughout the entire competition they were joking and laughing at the suitors together. He’s a kind and caring father, but a strongwilled king.
Personally, this may be the most excited I’ve ever been for a Pixar film! And I’m a lifelong Disney and Pixar fan. The fact that they’re finally letting a lady into this boy club is one thing, but the mythology and location give it a very fresh spin from their previous features.
BRAVE hits theatres on June 22, 2012.