Brave Trailer lifts the kilt

Pixar has released the first full-length trailer for Brave, its upcoming Highlands adventure tale.

The first minute or so should be familiar, as it’s all the same footage which was used for the teaser earlier this year. It’s been embellished now by some voice-over, and then fleshed out with some actual plot details.

The pieces give us a good idea of where the film is headed.

The style is fairly typical of Pixar, and continues the trend of making each franchise slightly darker than the one before.

The animation company’s films have always been good, but with each successive property, Pixar seems to learn more and more about how to make films that hit a wider range of demographics.

The basic plot line and characterization seem to be the typical ‘girl doesn’t want to do girly things’ story, which will likely include about a thousand little anachronisms of language, prop, and society, but it looks charming despite this, and will likely be a rousing film.

We also have the following extended synopsis from a month or so ago:

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humor enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D in select theaters.

A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, Brave uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the impetuous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late.

Brave hits theaters August 17, 2012.