Brave (1:33) 2012

Disney's latest animation has it strengths and weaknesses. Merida, the Scottish princess, has locks of fiery red hair with a need for independence just as fiery.  But she is a teenager, and King Fergus and Queen Elinor have arranged a competition among the clans. The prize is Merida's hand in marriage.  Merida rebels and asks a witch for a spell to change her mother. Merida gets what she asked for. And we all know that we have to be careful what we wish for. Her mother does change but not in the way Merida anticipated. The clans are fighting amongst themselves because they want a resolution to whom will chosen for Merida. Merida soon realizes that she needs to make things right for the sake of her family and the clans. Will she put things right before the second sunrise? This is a visually stunning movie with a top notch Paddy Doyle soundtrack. There are two weaknesses or drawbacks, the first being the Scottish accent. I missed some of the dialogue due to the Scottish accent and wondered if young children would have the same problem. The second weakness is the plot. The movie went in a direction I wasn't prepared for and it lacked the action adventure expected of a warrior princess movie. However, the strength of  Brave is with the warrior princess. Merida wants to be strong and independent, a princess who chooses her destiny and not one whose destiny is chosen. Young girls should absolutely love this movie. Parents will love the message of the absolute importance of the family bond.