Why is Disney Pixar BRAVE Rated PG?

It's finally here! Disney Pixar's Brave hit theaters today. The trailers and previews have been floating around for quite awhile and I was so excited to see it!

I was super surprised to see that it was rated PG - not that that's a bad rating, it's just not what I've come to expect from Disney Pixar films. I didn't think too much of it though, since it was Disney, and went ahead and took E and my boyfriend and his kids (so ages {almost}3, 6 and 9 were present). 

E was absolutely enthralled with the 3D effects. As has become the norm, there was a short at the beginning that was just amazing, called La Luna. I was really worried about how he'd be at a movie, since the last time ended in him running up and down the aisles and us ultimately leaving about 30 minutes in, but he was glued to La Luna the entire time. He loved wearing his glasses and kept looking at me and making his surprised face at me every time something was "floating" in front of us. That being said, since it was a 7:00 movie and he hadn't napped, he was out like a light about 20 minutes into the actual movie. I have to admit I was a little grateful for that; he's getting better, but I still don't know how he'd do with a full length film! 

These guys add humor and fun - they
were the highlight of the movie for
the 6 year old girl!

The older kids were really excited to see the movie - they are predominantly Scottish so they felt a sense of pride that this movie was about their "heritage." It kept them entertained the entire time and when we left they were raving about it. The 6 year old girl was a fan of the silly parts, and the 9 year old boy loved the archery and the action in the movie. 

Everyone in our party loved it, and they are all pretty young... so why the PG rating? 

Some of the scenes in the movie are really pretty scary. I know I jumped a couple of times (of course, I'm a pretty jumpy person), so if your child is particularly frightened by movies I'd wait a bit for this one. The kids I took have all been exposed to lots of movies and did just fine, but for a sensitive child it may be too much.

There are some pretty intense scenes with the bears - like this one! 

As for what I thought of the movie, the moral of the story was excellent. I also have to admit -I teared up several times. The dynamic of the mother-daughter relationship is very relatable and beautifully portrayed. I really loved how Merida was such a strong character - she is the hero of the story and not the damsel in distress. The 3D effects were breathtaking- I just loved how they enhanced the movie but weren't gimmicky at all. 

All in all, this is a fabulous movie, and one that I would highly recommend  (especially for moms and daughters!). Just be sure that your little ones are up for a little bit of action - if they are, they'll love it!

Brave is rated PG by the MPAA for "some scary action and rude humor." I was kindly invited to attend a press screening of the movie, but was not otherwise compensated for this post. All opinions are honest and my own. All media materials belong to Disney-Pixar.