A New Kind of Princess?

I was so excited to see Brave when it came out in 2012. Yes, Brave the Pixar animation movie. Yes, I was 19 at the time. No, I will never outgrow Pixar. 

The real reason I wanted to see the film so badly was because Merida, the lead, has such huge, curly hair! Finally, some embrace of the curls! I couldn't remember the last time I saw a princessy character with anything other than straight hair.  Only later did I learn that Brave, Pixar's 13th movie, was also the animation studio's first movie with a female lead. Even better, but it sure took long enough. 

Via Slate

So what are Merida and her hair all about?

Merida is the daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, but her character is a sharp break from the princesses of Disney classics.  Merida is courageous, bold, and stubborn.  She's a sharpshooter with the bow and arrow, and would rather spend time racing across the countryside on horseback than do what her mother, the Queen, believes are more appropriate activities (a.k.a. getting married).  Merida has a developed and bold personality, and proves she can make choices for herself.  She's a healthy alternative from the pink-washed princesses we've all seen (and yes, perhaps love, #teamAriel) and I appreciate that a princess and leading female character is portrayed as tomboyish, independent, and athletic.  Merida is in many ways a boss, and perhaps serious role model material.


Fun Fact: I was at Disney World last year and tried desperately to find a Merida costume that I could try on, take a picture in, and then promptly return to the shelf. No luck, however. Apparently there aren't too many 5'8" people looking to fit into princess dresses.

Via Google Images

So what do you think? Do you and Merida have anything in common? Is she a character you might want to be like?


--Nicola