Brave (2012 film)

Brave (2012 film)
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Name	Brave
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Producer	Katherine Sarafian
Writer	Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Irene Mecchi
Starring	Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson
Music	Patrick Doyle
Cinematography	Robert Anderson, Danielle Feinberg
Editing	Nicholas C. Smith
Studio	Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released	2012, 06, 10, Dolby Theatre, 2012, 06, 22, United States
Runtime	93 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$185 million
Gross	$540.4 million

Brave (2012 film) is a computer-animated fantasy adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Set in the Scottish Highlands, the story follows Princess Merida, a skilled archer who defies an ancient custom, inadvertently unleashing chaos upon her kingdom. The film was directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, with a voice cast led by Kelly Macdonald, and it explores themes of fate, family, and personal agency. Upon release, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

Plot

In the ancient kingdom of DunBroch, headstrong Princess Merida clashes with her mother, Queen Elinor, over her royal duties, particularly the tradition where the lords of the clans present their sons for her hand in marriage. After a heated argument, Merida flees into the forest and follows will-o'-the-wisps to the cottage of a witch, where she receives a spell meant to change her mother’s mind. The spell transforms Queen Elinor into a bear, and Merida must repair the bond with her mother and reverse the curse before the second sunrise, or the change becomes permanent. The quest forces Merida to reconcile with her family, including her father King Fergus, and mend the discord she has caused among the clans of Lord Macintosh, Lord MacGuffin, and Lord Dingwall.

Voice cast

* Kelly Macdonald as Princess Merida, the fiery and independent protagonist. * Emma Thompson as Queen Elinor, Merida’s proper and traditional mother. * Billy Connolly as King Fergus, Merida’s boisterous father and ruler of DunBroch. * Julie Walters as The Witch, a mysterious woodcarver who provides the fateful spell. * Robbie Coltrane as Lord Dingwall, one of the clan leaders. * Kevin McKidd as Lord MacGuffin and also voices Young MacGuffin, his son. * Craig Ferguson as Lord Macintosh, another clan chieftain. * Sally Kinghorn and Eilidh Fraser as the triplet brothers Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. * Patrick Doyle, the film’s composer, also voices the character Martin.

Production

Development began under director Brenda Chapman, whose initial story was inspired by her own relationship with her daughter. The project, originally titled The Bear and the Bow, was Pixar’s first film to feature a female protagonist. After creative differences, Chapman was replaced by co-director Mark Andrews in 2010. The animation team conducted extensive research trips to Scotland, visiting locations like Eilean Donan Castle and the Cairngorms to capture the landscape’s essence. Technical achievements included creating Merida’s voluminous, curly hair, a significant challenge for the studio’s RenderMan software, and the realistic depiction of Scottish weather and environments.

Release

Brave had its world premiere on June 10, 2012, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. It was released widely in North America on June 22, 2012, and in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2012. The film was accompanied by the short film La Luna, directed by Enrico Casarosa, in its theatrical run. Marketing included partnerships with organizations like VisitScotland and a prominent presence at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its animation, voice acting, and emotional depth, though some noted narrative shortcomings. It earned an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 69 on Metacritic. Commercially, it grossed over $540 million worldwide against a $185 million budget. At the 85th Academy Awards, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film and was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film.

Themes and analysis

Central themes of the film include the mother-daughter relationship, the tension between tradition and personal choice, and the concept of forging one’s own path. Scholars have analyzed Merida as a departure from earlier Disney Princess archetypes, emphasizing agency and skill over romance. The use of Scottish folklore, such as will-o’-the-wisps and transformation legends, roots the narrative in Celtic mythology. The film’s focus on mending a fractured familial bond, rather than a conventional villain’s defeat, marked a significant narrative choice for Pixar.

Category:2012 animated films Category:Pixar films Category:Walt Disney Pictures films Category:Academy Award for Best Animated Feature winners