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Discuss: ‘Brave’ Trailer Reactions

November 18, 2011 By 17 Comments

Now that we’ve had a few days to absorb the new full-length trailer for Brave, it’s time to see what everybody thinks. The one aspect that everyone seems to agree on is the animation and the stunning look of the film. The fluidity of Merida’s hair alone should be worth the price of a movie ticket. Further, the beautiful Scottish landscapes suggest an epic scope to the storyline. However, there have also been some criticisms laid upon the trailer. Read on to see what some have said.

 

  • “The trailer isn’t as good as the teaser”
  • “The comedic moments lead to an inconsistent tone”
  • “Pixar’s just copying How To Train Your Dragon“
  • “It’s Pixar’s version of Mulan“

Now, personally, I’m not really worried. Pixar trailers go out of their way to avoid revealing major plot points and twists, so I am pretty sure there is a lot we have yet to see. Even the official synopsis, with Merida unleashing a curse upon the kingdom, is barely hinted at here. Think back to the first 10 minutes of Up. Did you see that coming? The teaser and trailers for that film highlighted the adventure and comedy (specifically with Russell’s whimsical nature, the problems of old age, and Dug’s speaking abilities), but the film itself is easily one of the studio’s most touching pieces. I wouldn’t worry too much about the emotional aspect.

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John Lasseter has constantly noted that Pixar is fixed on creating films that people of all ages can enjoy. When the teaser for Brave came out, its dark tone definitely suggested a gritty fantasy film. While those elements will be there, this new trailer is also saying that the film will be an experience that the whole family can watch together. Would I want to see Pixar do a Lord of the Rings-style film? Absolutely. But, that’s not the studio’s angle at this point. Expect intelligent drama, heart, and comedy to continue to make their way into Pixar films long into the future.

Sure, other than the first 40-seconds, this trailer isn’t great at building suspense and drama about the overall storyline. The humor seen isn’t laugh-out-loud. I still can’t wait to see Brave. Face it, we are hyper-critical about Pixar because we’ve seen the magic its employees can do. Most of the time, after all the dust has settled, we’ve had our socks knocked off. I’m looking forward to all the dust being blown away to reveal the finished film, once again. I have very high hopes.

That’s what I think. What are your thoughts on the Brave trailer, now that you’ve had a couple days to think about it? Are you excited about the film?

Filed Under: Brave, Discussion Tagged With: ,
About Samad Rizvi

Samad is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Pixar Times. His favorite films include The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Vertigo, Back to the Future, Children of Men, and of course, Pixar's Monsters, Inc., WALL-E and Up. His most anticipated films of 2012 include Brave, The Dark Knight Rises, The Hobbit, and Prometheus.

  • http://twitter.com/DisneyAmanda3 Amanda

    I’m super excited about it! It may sound similar to others, but Pixar has never let us down. I believe this is going to be a GREAT film. :)

  • William Jardine

    It looks utterly amazing. It looks funny, emotional and compeltely freaking epic! I haven’t been this excited about a film, even a Pixar one, in a good few years.

    I simply can’t wait, it’s going to have some tough competition in the form of The Hobbit: Part 1 and The Dark Knight Rises, but I’m pretty sure, if it turns out as well as it looks, it’ll snag a Best Pic nomination.

  • http://twitter.com/PabloRV7 Pablo Ruiz V

    I trust them completely. The trailer didn’t blow me away but I don’t really want to know what the movie is about until I watch it so I’m happy. We didn’t know that Lotso was a villain who ran Sunnyside as a prison from the trailer, did we? I like being surprised

  • http://www.the-leaping-lamp.com/ Amy

    Her hair certainly caught my attention

  • http://www.the-leaping-lamp.com/ Amy

    Her hair certainly caught my attention and I really like all the shapes, sizes and personalities of all the characters.

    Speaking of hair catching attention, remember how Sulley’s fur in Monsters Inc. was a breakthrough in animation at that time? Pixar’s always pushing the envelope and they’ve got something exciting with each release.

  • Dmitry

    A woman running blindly into a wall? Old men in kilts jokes? Three animals making faces? I am worried.

  • Autumn

    I think that a lot of bloggers, writers, fans, what have you were so disappointed by Cars 2 (which I liked, for the record), that they’ve firmly built up this idea of PIXAR’S LOSING IT! in their minds, and are pretty much looking for things to pick at by this point. No one remembers the fart jokes in the Toy Story 2 credits? No one remembers any slapstick in The Incredibles? Really? Hopefully some of this attitude will fall off once another adult-centric trailer surfaces — as you say, this trailer was obviously cut to have something for everyone, full of scenes before the adventures really begin, to not make parents think this is ‘too dark’ to take their kids to.

    I think the trailer is beautiful and exciting and has only made me anticipate the movie more. And I’m one of the people counting on the folklore aspect and more mature tone.

    (Also, if Pixar wanted to take cues from the plot of a Disney movie, they could do much, much worse than Mulan!)

  • MTM

    Loved it! Can’t wait to see it!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1345271655 Justin Allison

    I wasn’t a big fan of the slapstick the first time I watched it but it doesn’t bother me as much now.  Overall I think the trailer looks spectacular and hints at what is going to be a truly amazing film.  Seriously, I’ve already decided that this is my new favorite Pixar film…and maybe my favorite film in general.

  • Zoe

    Actually my main concern is it doesn’t look so much like a Pixar film in style as it does say, Dreamworks. I haven’t been let down by Pixar yet, but I suppose it’s unrealistic to think I never will either… :  Still I will be watching it!

  • Matthewlottering

    What it seems like to me is that most of this trailer takes part before the curse is released, and from some of the other scenes I think that the curse turns her family into bears, the giant one being her mother and the three smaller ones really remind me of the triplets for some reason.
    This is just a hunch though, I am sure it will be great and I am looking forward to it.

  • Heather

    I think Pixar were trying to appeal to the younger audiences in this trailer, and as you said previously, trying to hide plot details, which is good, I think this film will be great, even the Toy Story 3 advert wasn’t that great!

  • Hannah

    I loved the trailer! I really wanted to know more about how they would sqeeze any comedy into this film, and it looks like they are going to pull it off really well. I’m always blown away by what they do and I don’t expect this to be any different. I think doing something that’s not like any of their other films shows their diversity and ability to appeal to all audiences. I’m super excited :)

  • http://twitter.com/olivergalleguez Oliver Galleguez

    Pixar’s not losing it all. People are just fed with the consistent win for Pixar films. It’s just that Cars 2 is just another balancing act for Pixar. Anyway, I’m the only Filipino that’s so excited for this film. BRING IT ON, PIXAR! :) )

  • Austin

    I think it will be very good! After watching the Trailer over, and over again it made me very excited about the movie. Love the animation, the hair is great, and once again they got great actors to play as the characters! Pixar is just getting started in making great films (Monsters University) CAN’T WAIT!!!! 

  • Jade

    I can’t wait for the trailer. Pixar may have some bad movies, but they also have great movies! I love, love, love the trailer! Except for that one ‘feast your eyes part’. Thats just me though. I just dislike those kind of jokes. CAN’T WAIT! Why does it have to be June 22th 2012 … sigh.

  • Louioupsmith Anglerfishrule

    “Face it, we are hyper-critical about Pixar because we’ve seen the magic its employees can do. Most of the time, after all the dust has settled, we’ve had our socks knocked off. I’m looking forward to all the dust being blown away to reveal the finished film, once again.”
    It’s as if you stole the words right out of my mouth.