Disney & Pixar’s ‘Brave’ Teaser is just that – teasing us of what is to come in 2012!

I need to admit that I am a sucker for a good animation movie, especially those who have warranted the creative support of the studio with the mouse ears. Sadly, I am finding 2011 to be a little bit lackluster, with the majority of animations either being uninteresting looking sequels (i.e. Cars 2, Happy Feet 2and Kung Fu Panda 2) or cartoon classics being adapted to CGI (à la The Smurfs). After last years high quality turn out (with my two favourites being Toy Story 3 and How to Train Your Dragon) I am just yearning for animators to throw something at me which screams originality.

Thankfully, Disney and Pixar have released a first look teaser for its next grand adventure Brave (2012), which is slated for a June 22 release next year. Seeing this trailer and knowing it is still a year away is killing me! It looks like the perfect animation, carrying the same mythological beauty and intrigue as How to Train Your Dragon with the trademark Pixar/Disney feel. Oh and its set in SCOTLAND! Why oh why must they tease us so.

However, with some of the most highly anticipated films of 2012 being released within this May-July period, including The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Avengers (2012) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Brave may have to be just that if it hopes to gain any attention/box office recognition. But with anything Disney/Pixar it will draw a great younger audience, and if kids like it adults are sure to follow as well. This may be the perfect film if you feel like taking a break from the smorgasbord of superhero blockbusters.

If you haven’t already seen the teaser or the preliminary plot take a look below. I have definitely add this to my list of must sees in 2012, have you?

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Courtesy of Disney’s Official ‘Brave’ website

Getting Animated…In a Whole New World

To give you all the heads up on my next upcoming post I thought I would drop a couple of friendly hints (through the wonderful world of YouTube) as to what I may be dissecting. Take a look at these trailers and take a guess:

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Aladdin (1992)

Toy Story (1995)

Shrek (2001)

Happy Feet (2006)

Toy Story 3 (2010)

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

If you didn’t pick the theme up by at least Aladdin (1993) then to keep you a breast, I’m dissecting the animation film genre. This emerging and highly advanced form of cinema has taken on a whole life of its own, telling stories either not possible or not believable in any other format. Since a little kid I have been mesmerised by the bright colours, surreal characters and unbelievable magic of this genre. And as I have aged I have watched it become so advanced that I forget that some classic films, like Beauty and the Beast (1991), and are actual in the same category as new epics, including How to Train Your Dragon (2010). In my next post I want to examine what it is that connects these films together besides the label of ‘animated’, as I examine the rapid development that has shaped an entire genre.

Has this genres evolution been for the better or worse? Do modern animations lack the heart of their predecessors? And what is it that makes these movies so enticing for, not only children but, millions of people the world over?

So while you’re pondering those questions think about your favourite animated movies of all time and let me know! I’d be interested to hear which characters, stories, adventures and musical numbers have tickled your fancy throughout animations history. Hopefully through our dissection we will be able to view animation in a whole new world.