Pixar's Merida Could be the Princess I've been Waiting For

Looking capable, intrepid, and wonderfully ginger, Princess Merida has arrived!

Pixar's has released the first trailer and poster of their upcoming film Brave - expected Summer 2012. Though the entire storyline has yet to be revealed, the Internet is abuzz with the prospect of the (mostly) winning Pixar presenting their first film with a female lead.

Watch the trailer after the jump.







The synopsis reads:

“Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Merida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Merida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Merida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman (Julie Walters) and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Merida’s quest - and serving as comic relief - are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), the surly Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson), and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane).”

As one youtuber said,"Just take my money.  You don't need to ask".

I am ridiculously excited about this film. 

The other day I was endeavoring to write about which Disney Princess was first characterized as having agency; and, I realized that it was Aladdin's Princess Jasmine in 1992; but, only because she wasn't afraid to run away from home by herself.  Mulan (1998) was actually the first Disney Princess to break gender stereotypes, and be portrayed with characteristics usually associated with male characters.  She was filial, independent, hardworking, brave, intelligent, a good fighter, and her actions were not motivated by her desire to be with/ meet/ get to know/ marry a man.

I'm sure there might be a "love  interest" in Brave.  Even though the character looks fairly young, there is probably a young prince she is promised to marry when she gets older, or a boy who likes her, or something of the sort.  I'm fine with that - crushes are part of youth.  So long as said romance doesn't take away from her character, I'm all game.  I never wanted to be a Disney Princess when I was younger because, as much as I enjoyed the films, there wasn't one that I identified with.  From the little bit I've seen of Merida,  if she had been around when I was young, I would've dyed my hair red at a much younger age, and never given up on taking archery - however my parents protested.  I currently love Merida, and I feel most who have seen this trail do too.

So don't dissapoint us.  Take my money Pixar.  I dare you not to.

Author's Note: Some will argue that Belle from 1991's Beauty and the Beast would also qualify by the few criteria I laid out above.  While she is indeed filial, independent, hardworking, brave, intelligent, and not motivated by a desire to be with/ meet/ get to know/ marry a man, that the very first thing you learn about her is she is exceedingly beautiful automatically places an extreme emphasis on the importance of physical beauty in females- something I fault Disney for promoting amongst young girls.  Her beauty is further emphasized as the one trait that forgives her "oddness".  It is her redeeming trait; and, is even sung about in the opening song.

Author's Note 2: The author loves every Disney Princess and their accompanying original films.  This love extends to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Thumbelina, The Swan Princess, and Anastasia.  Though Odette has a special place in the author's heart for refusing Derek's proposal when he proclaims that he loves her because she is beautiful.