This year's PIXAR entry tells the story of Scottish princess Merida (voice of Kelly MacDonald) and her quest to save her family from a beastly curse. Fiercely independent, athletic, and outdoorsy, Merida defies the traditional duties required from a princess, much to the dismay of her mother, Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). After a quarrel between mother and daughter over Merida's (lack of) intent to marry, the younger flees the castle and ends up at the door of a witch "woodcarver" deep in the woods. Looking for a spell to alter her destiny, Merida receives a spell from the witch (voice of Julie Walters) that will "change her mother." Instead of merely changing Elinor's mind about her daughter marrying, the spell physically changes Elinor into a bear, an animal with dangerous ties to the family. Merida only has two sunsets to change her mother back into a human and take control of her destiny. The first positive quality of this film is that it's the first PIXAR film to feature a heroine -- one who can challenge anyone -- boys included -- in the smarts and wit departments. The film is also very different from its predecessors, set in the past and featuring lots of "green" scenery and thick Scottish accents. I loved the central plot of the film, due to the message of the importance of family that it transmits. Though predictable, as are most fairy-tale like stories, I was still genuinely touched by the film. Perhaps it isn't the best PIXAR film, but it is one of the most innovative.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-
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