Brave has a strong pedigree and could easily have been a great film if it resembled the film they tried to advertise it as. As it is it is a mostly paint by numbers affair about family and the unintended consequences of wishes. So far, so average.
Now don't get me wrong, there are several good aspects. The film is gorgeous and well-acted, the witch is hilarious and the setting just reeks of Scotland. But I couldn't get my head around the massive hole in the logic of this film.
This film has, at its heart, the idea that new ideas and ideals should be given preference over tradition when the two come into conflict, particularly when it comes to love. A more standard and worn out Aesop we can't find. Setting aside the fact that any historical dynasty that handled marriage either by free choice or the way presented here would have nothing but political chaos to deal with, this is a film after all, at the climax we find out that this ancient tradition of marrying the daughter off to the son of a vassal who wins at a feet of martial skill, is brand new.
Brand new. What? How is this ancient if the kingdom was founded in response to foreign invaders within the king's lifetime and how is it even a tradition of this is his eldest child?
In addition this is taking place in one of the least logical settings imaginable. Of all the ancient civilisations they could have chosen for a standard passion forward, women need a say in their lives Aesop the Celtic cultures (and this is generic celtic culture stew we are being served) are near the bottom of the list. It’s like teaching the roman republic about the evils of monarchy!
Several missed opertunities and some serious logic holes
Brave has a strong pedigree and could easily have been a great film if it resembled the film they tried to advertise it as. As it is it is a mostly paint by numbers affair about family and the unintended consequences of wishes. So far, so average.
Now don't get me wrong, there are several good aspects. The film is gorgeous and well-acted, the witch is hilarious and the setting just reeks of Scotland. But I couldn't get my head around the massive hole in the logic of this film.
This film has, at its heart, the idea that new ideas and ideals should be given preference over tradition when the two come into conflict, particularly when it comes to love. A more standard and worn out Aesop we can't find. Setting aside the fact that any historical dynasty that handled marriage either by free choice or the way presented here would have nothing but political chaos to deal with, this is a film after all, at the climax we find out that this ancient tradition of marrying the daughter off to the son of a vassal who wins at a feet of martial skill, is brand new.
Brand new. What? How is this ancient if the kingdom was founded in response to foreign invaders within the king's lifetime and how is it even a tradition of this is his eldest child?
In addition this is taking place in one of the least logical settings imaginable. Of all the ancient civilisations they could have chosen for a standard passion forward, women need a say in their lives Aesop the Celtic cultures (and this is generic celtic culture stew we are being served) are near the bottom of the list. It’s like teaching the roman republic about the evils of monarchy!