[May 06, 2013]    

Friday afternoon, Lincoln Theater was filled and overflowing with fans of the movie "Brave" and old friends of its creator-director Brenda Chapman. Chapman was at the theater to sign autographs, visit with folks and introduce a special showing of her movie.

"Brave" was released as an animated film last summer. The movie was a hit with young and old alike and went on to receive an Oscar win early this year in the category of animated films.

Chapman wrote the movie based on her daughter, Emma, who at the early age of 4 started showing her independence. The result has been a good-natured and loving tug of war between mom and daughter, which is depicted clearly in the movie.

The heroine of the movie, Merida, is a spirited young girl who doesn't conform well to the traditions of her family heritage. She and her mother, Eleanor, enter into a stubborn conflict as mom tries to convince Merida that her parents know what is best for her, and she needs to conform to their wishes.

Merida hastily enters into an agreement with a witch that results in her mother being turned into a bear. That wouldn't be such a big deal were it not for the fact that the witch disappears, so the spell cannot be reversed, and Merida's father is an avid bear hunter.

As the movie progresses, Merida becomes her mother's protector and defender, and along the way the two learn some very important lessons about each other. Of course it all ends well, but the journey is filled with action and excitement that keeps the viewer drawn in to the very end.

Pictures by Curt Fox