Rebellious Princess Merida (Kelly McDonald) refuses to consider any of the royal suitors vying for her hand, and turns to an eccentric old witch to help her change her destiny--and her mother's mind.
With the introduction of red-headed spitfire Merida, a new generation of Disney princesses is finally born. No girly girl clad in pink, she is a wild-haired, wild-spirited young archer who doesn't need a prince to validate her identity. The relationship that matters most here is the emotionally exhausting one between mother and teenage daughter, and it's rarely been captured so beautifully. There's plenty here for the boys, too--lots of action, slapstick, and grizzly characters. With signature heart and humor, Pixar has, once again, hit the mark and is likely to score a bull's-eye with viewers of all ages.
This movie is intended for older children.
The movie is probably too scary for younger preschoolers, but 5-year-olds will be drawn in by the gorgeous animation and Merida's free-flowing red curls. They'll laugh at the antics of Merida's three mischievous younger brothers and will be enamored of Merida herself. She is a no-nonsense force to be reckoned with, and may make all previous Disney princesses seem as outdated as 1950s housewives.
Kids in this age group will find themselves lost in the magic of the will o' the wisps and will be horrified--and fascinated--when the witch's spell goes terribly wrong. They'll also gasp when Merida yells at everyone in the kingdom to "shut it!" They'll watch carefully to see what happens when Merida continually rejects the duties and responsibilities expected of a princess, and will find it empowering that she ultimately teaches her mother as much as she learns from her.
Although some tweens will think they're too old for an animated Disney film, this is actually the age group that may appreciate the story the most. Young viewers will be shocked when the queen says, "It's what you've been preparing for your whole life, and Merida talks back to her, "No, it's what you've been preparing for." When Merida goes one step further, claiming, "I'd rather die than be like you," girls of all ages are likely to gasp with guilt and recognize the love they feel for their own mothers. After seeing this latest addition to the triumvirate of recent female movie archers (Katniss in The Hunger Games, Snow White in Snow White and the Huntsman), don't be surprised when your daughter asks for a bow and arrow for her next birthday.
The combo pack comes with Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and digital copies of the movie. The DVD includes "La Luna" theatrical short and the new short, "The Legend of Mordu." The Blu-ray adds extended scenes, behind-the-scenes segments about the characters, the story and the production, plus a whole disc of extras including an alternate opening, an art gallery, deleted scenes. bloopers and segments about Scotland, the tapestry, Angus the Clydesdale and the development of the Scots.
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