My 150th book review!
Now on to the review itself.
I hadn't read any other 'The Art of --' books before this one. In hindsight I guess I should have, since I love film and animation and researching the behind-the-scenes and thought-processes of what makes a film what it is. It just so happens that on a visit to my old university, the library contained 'The Art of Brave' and no other 'The Art of --' books. Strange. Is it because this particular animation book is so rich in detail in going over the process of animating - of hand-drawing and computer-generating? And because it emphasizes how a good, well-thought-out story is the most important thing in all films, including live-action? Are the rest of the 'The Art of --' books null and void then, even the Studio Ghibli ones?
I'm not so sure about the others, and I'm not a librarian, so I'm just making up my own rubbish here.
Regardless, I guess I should feel lucky that the only 'The Art of --' book my university has is about one of my favourite Pixar films - and one of my favourite animated films period.
I'll start by saying that 'The Art of Brave' does indeed contain wonderful and diverse illustrations that really express character and show what the animators and directors had in mind during the development process of 'Brave'; even before Pixar green-lit it. Aside from drawings of Princess Merida and her awesome red hair, and of bears ranging from the cute to the terrifying, there are a lot of details going into researching Scotland and its highlands, moors, atmosphere, weather conditions, and myths and legends. Seeing as my family and I are planning a trip to Scotland in the summer this year, I would say that 'The Art of Brave' could count as an excellent tour guide! The medieval Scottish setting is a beautiful landmark in 'Brave', but the commenting directors and producers keep coming back to how they did not forget the true heart of the story.
Which is the love between a parent and a child, and family bonds.
Therefore the characters and their designs and personal development are just as important to the film as the setting, and free reign is given when it is in animation, where anything is possible.
'Brave' as a whole contains many subtle layers and themes to its story. It subverts elements of the traditional Disney princess and fairy tale formula, including the missing/dead mother and the evil witch and queen. It also says a lot about what it means to be a princess in reality, despite the fact that the film is still a fantasy. Forget for a moment about it being "feminist" and "empowering". There is more to it than that. What I interpret 'Brave' to really be about is:
1. Changing tradition can be okay as long as you want to do so for selfless reasons.
2. Being brave enough to admit to and learn from mistakes is a mark of a real hero. Don't repeat the tragedies recorded in history or legends.
3. Explore outside your comfort zone and be true to yourself, but respect others' point of view as well. Understand their position, and love them for who they are, and they may return your affections.
4. Stay close-knit to your family - even when your legacy is within a mere thread of tapestry, rather than in large, imposing stone.
Many lessons which are important for children - and adults - to learn and to understand.
I think that people who did not think much of 'Brave' when they first saw it - thinking it too simple - would find that there is a complexity to the film when they read 'The Art of Brave', and come to appreciate it a bit more. It is fascinating to read how the concept came about and what could have been during the six years it took for Pixar to make 'Brave' - their thirteenth feature film and their first that is a period piece, a fairy tale, and which features a female protagonist.
Fans of the film will love 'The Art of Brave', however fans of animation and people studying the art form will too find it useful and captivating. Of course it has flaws - there is no mention of 'Brave''s original title, 'The Bear and the Bow', nor of co-director Brenda Chapman leaving the project four years into production. I guess it would look too negative, which isn't exactly honest, but neither is it lying; just omitting unimportant information. Animation is very complex; it is a time-consuming and expensive business, and this art book is only 160 pages long.
The artwork is outstanding, and so is reading about its roots. If only libraries had more 'The Art of --' books lying around.
Final Score: 4.5/5
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