Brave enough for Brave?

Yesterday Popps and I headed with some friends to see Brave, the latest Disney Pixar flick.

In the cinema we settled in with our 3D glasses and listened to some bagpipes while watching some highland dancing. Popps was rather into it, I wouldn't have been surprised if she suggested it be the latest fad she attempts to have a go at.

Then we got into the movie. As an adult, it's a good film, for the animation and soundtrack alone, it is well worth it.

But it is also pretty scary. Regular readers would know I am pretty against pre school children watching violence even if it is in cartoon form. This film is not so full of violence for the sake of it. No one dies.

But for those of you who are in the more cautious box with me, I suggest reading a few reviews on what others thought about Brave, in relation to the ages of their children.

Popps spent most of the movie in my lap with her hands over her ears and eyes closed, asking me to tell her when bits were over.

Scary Beary

The short of it is, Merida the princess, is refusing to be wedded off by her parents to one of the other clans' eldest sons. Merida takes off on her amazing horse Angus and finds a witch who gives her a spell to change her fate. There is lots of talk about fate and destiny, this didn't sink in for Popps and she asked me what Merida was talking about, but the message is a good one for those that pick it up.

The spell turns Queen Elinor into a bear which is rather humourous for those that get the bits about the queen being concerned about her modesty. Without giving it all away, there is another rather scary bear involved, there are moments when the clans try and kill the Queen when she is a bear. There is sadness as Merida cries because it looks as though the Queen will remain a bear forever. In true Disney form there is a happy ending.

When we got home I was surprised to hear Popps tell Mr H and Immy that the movie was excellent and she loved it. I asked her if she would like to see it again, she said 'no way, never again'. The film didn't stay with her though, there was no further discussion about it, no bad dreams, so I think she did get the idea that all ended well, but she has no desire to watch it again.

For those looking for a film were the princess does not fall in love with a handsome prince to find her happiness, Princess Merida is sure to make you smile. She is a princess happy to fight custom and tradition who fights for the things she wants from life. She also believes in magic.

Brave is being released on Thursday in time for school holidays. I suggest thinking about what your kids like, what levels of scary they can tolerate before going to this one. I know many of the other people at the cinema have tweeted how much they and their kids loved the film.  If you are a blogger who attended, feel free to add your review in my comments for other people to get an idea of what you thought, especially if you have kids in the older primary years who I think this might be aimed at.

For the official preview take a look here, the scottish accents alone might be enough to encourage you to go along.

If you would like to take your kids to see this over the school holidays I have TEN double passes to give away.

To win a pass you need to leave a comment below telling me what the scariest movie you have ever seen was. Mr H will decide on the ten movies that he thinks rate the scariest, or the comment that makes him laugh most.

Tweeting this giveaway gives good luck, sharing it on Facebook makes your wishes come true.*


Fine Print:
1) Only Australian Residents
2) Comments open today Monday 18 June and close Friday 22 June at 8pm.
3) If I do not have a reply from you by Wednesday 27 June to confirm your postal details, then the prize will be given to someone else.
4)You need to follow this blog or my Facebook page to be included in the giveaway.



*This is not confirmed, it might be false, but you never know til you try.