Stone hedge, red hair, and a female Princess doing Brave things in a story told by Pixar? Sign me up! I’m an unabashed supporter of Pixar and all things Disney. If I’m being completely honest with you, part of the allure of marrying a man with kids is having an ever-present reason to watch animated films. But I digress.
Brave challenged a number of Pixar first—first female protagonist, first princess, first fairy tale—but I find it odd that most people aren’t mentioning this in reviews. Focus on the Family to CrossWalk to Movies.com write this movie off as a family-friendly, slap-stick animated film with a blatant message encouraging all daughters to love, listen, and learn from their mother. Pretty awesome, right?
It is if you’re a mom.
However, rather than focus on family values like many of the critics, I found the shift in traditional storytelling interesting. Specifically in the passive paternal male, traditionally-valued mother, and spirited ginger with fiery locks as feisty as her personality who defies traditional gender roles.
As a 21st woman who studied Feminist literature, art, and history, I watched this story unfold differently. Merida—the fiery princess—is on the cusp of adulthood and throne succession. But the royal responsibility and expectations of domesticity and childbearing isn’t her royal cup of tea. She doesn’t want to be married and there isn’t hint of a male suitor throughout the 90 minute movie [which is quite different than previous Disney princesses—and dare I say women 20 years ago].
Before anyone hangs me in the Feminist Hall of Shame, I want to clarify that I’m not advocating we go back to the paradigm of women waiting to be rescued by Prince Charming on a horse, with great teeth, and perfect hair. But I’m not sure our next generational option should be a runaway female who tries to change her fate by evoking a curse to thwart off marriage.
There’s something quite dramatic about both of those plot lines. And I’m extremely dramatic, so if I say something is dramatic, believe me [as I put my waging finger, arched eyebrow, and flamboyant attitude back in their corner].
Pixar’s ambitious story wanted to portray a female protagonist as brave. But bravery isn’t one action or one choice or one decision. All the heroes of Pixar’s blockbusters like Wall-E, Nemo, and Woody made conscious, concerted, continuous efforts not only to be brave, but to do brave things. Why? Because heroes make daily choices to live for things bigger than themselves.
My father may not be screenwriter but his US Marine Corp training taught him that a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. I would love to tell all girls in the movie theater I sat in that being a princess is awesome and a heritage we already possess as daughters of the King [that was SO women’s ministry!], but life is more than looking pretty, wearing crowns, and fighting for whether or not we will get married. Our life matters when we give it up for others.
That, my dear friends, is being Brave.
Wow!!! You were on a roll girl.
I agree. Women of all ages need to know that it`s not about running towards marriage or running away from marriage.
It`s much more important to be running toward the King of Kings….everything else will fall into place as we take our places as His princesses.
The brave part is taking that running leap of faith towards HIm…
Today’s culture touts independence as brave, but God calls us to dependence on him, and I think that’s braver than anything culture gives us, because it means we stand on God’s strength, not our own.
And pride leads us to believe that our strength is greater than God’s.
I agree! Being brave would be seeking God’s will, honoring her mother (and father), and trusting Him with her fate.
I’m glad we don’t need “whips” to lead us astray in the forests to take control of our lives. The love of Christ controls us, that we don’t live for ourselves, but for God. And any bravery we have comes from God and is for God. It’s not about us, even if we have awesome red curly hair!
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 14-15
good column.. but did you like te movie? 🙂 LOL
Hahahha! I love your question!
I loved the animation and texture of the movie. I loved the scenery and movie location. I liked the story. Liked, not loved. Pixar has hit home runs on almost ALL of their films, but this one just fell a bit short for me. There were four writers for this script and it felt like it was a bit fragmented and incongruous.
Would I see it again? No. Was it a loss of money? No way.
this was interesting for me to read. We are seeing this movie tonight. Ill def be looking at it from a diff perspective. Thanks!
Hope I didn’t ruin your movie experience 🙂
when i first was this movie was coming out i was excited to take the family. but once i saw the previews (once in the theater while watching disney chimps and several times now on tv) i was not as keen on it. “tangled” was a movie we enjoyed and i thought the male characters were more manly than in usual disney movies. normally (to me) they take a back seat to the female leads strengths and are not as strong as i would like. also, my i year old has a sensitive streak and some of the parts seemed dark. any opinion? but i think we might pass on this one.
I loved this review! Especially because you touched on the change of traditional storytelling! I’ve been telling my friends that and no one seems to notice. It feels good to not be alone…or crazy. hahaha