Things to do with kids in Brisbane

Disney-Pixar's Brave is a lovable, heart-warming tale of folklore, adventure, and family, hitting the big screen just in time for the school holidays. Set in bonny medieval Scotland, fiery Merida is a spirited wee lass who refuses to accept her fate—being married off to any one of the charmless clansmen princes. Merida is not your usual princess; she'd rather spend her days scaling precipices, shooting arrows, and exploring the stunning Scottish Highlands than listen to her mother drone on about proper behaviour and deportment. When Merida stumbles across the house of a mystical witch, Merida buys a spell that will surely alter her destiny by tricking her mother against the idea of arranged marriage. But, unexpectedly, Merida gets far more than she bargained for, causing much more than just her mother's mind to change.



As a stubborn child, Merida is the kind of daughter that every mother might wish for—independent, headstrong, and willful—but packaged with a terrifying fearlessness that is near impossible to tame. I imagine that the relationship between Merida and her mother will be instantly recognisable by many parents viewing this film, who strive to seek the balance between wanting their daughters to be adventurous, but without getting hurt. Not to mention the insistence on learning good manners and appropriate behaviour, even when their girls are elbow-deep in mud pie! The tenacity of Merida's relationship with her mother is the keystone of Brave, serving as a nice reminder that mutual admiration is born out of respect and understanding.



The moral messages in Brave are wonderful enough, but the animation is what will really take your breath away. Merida's flame hair is hypnotic, as her fiery curls dominate the screen in unkempt waves of red and orange. She is gorgeous to watch, especially as her hair bounces in the wind when she is riding her horse or running in the woods. Then there is the scenery which is simply spectacular. The Scottish Highlands are beautifully represented, from every craggy rock to the deepest, greenest glen, all of which feels so real that you almost cannae believe it is drawn.



All in all, Brave is yet another hit from the team at Disney-Pixar: it is gorgeous, funny, and a joy to watch. As usual, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy in Brave, so be sure to take them to see it these school holidays. Actually, don't be a bear: take them twice.

For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.