This current Pixar film is lush with a modern story set in a medieval world. I loved the story. Before its release, critics were commenting that this would be the first female protagonist featured in a Pixar film, and would it fare well because of that? It grossed $66,323,594 in the US on opening weekend, so I think the answer is that this was a good film that people wanted to see regardless of the lead character.
IMDB has this synopsis
Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.
Merida’s fate was to get married but she had no interest in that. Eventually she is allowed to break with tradition so she can live her life in her own timeline and marry for love if that’s what she wants. Although a simple tale, the process of getting there is the real fun.
Another critic noted that this was yet another archery heroine flick in the vein of Hunger Games. Maybe so, but I think it’s a good thing when there are positive, strong female characters for girls to relate to. I had Nancy Drew (that’s another whole story for another day.)
The animation is delicious. There is one scene where Merida and her mother (spoiler: a bear) are following will-o-wisps and come up over a knoll through the mist. Pixar does what is does best, animate real feelings in magical surroundings. This is worth a second viewing.