This past Wednesday we were lucky enough to go and see the movie Brave in a sneak preview. Eva loves princess Merida and I’m a fan as well. For one thing she is a strong female character who despite making a huge mistake can learn from it and grow and change. Since we can’t keep going to the theater and it will be a while before the DVD comes out we’ve got to tide ourselves over for a while. Luckily there are two new apps from Disney that capture the magic, action, humor and wonder of the movie BRAVE and bring it to your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
The first app is the “Brave: Storybook Deluxe” ($6.99 – for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) app. This app, similar to the other storybook deluxe apps that I have reviewed in the past, tells the story from the movie in a storybook fashion. With this app however there are some new twists and I’ll get to those. The app is very well done with good narration as well as the puzzles and coloring pages that we have come to expect from Disney Storybook Deluxe apps. You can also record your own narration or read the story on your own without any narration. Clips from the movie are interspersed into the app a little more so than other storybook apps.
The movie was a beautiful one and had a great story. The beauty and story translate very well to this app. There is also a great minigame included in the app with the reader searching for arrows within the story to use while playing the “Merida’s Challenge” game. Readers can find all sorts of specialty arrows like Wisp arrows, Cluster Arrows and Magic Arrows. Find these hidden within the storybook and use them as you gallop on Angus’ back and fire arrows at targets. After I saw the movie I loved this game even more. It captured a very fun aspect of the movie and highlighted a major talent of Merida. This is one of the best minigames I’ve seen in these storybook apps.
The second app is the “Brave Interactive Comic” ($1.99 – for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch). With this app the story of the movie Brave is translated into a comic book and if I thought I liked the storybook deluxe then I loved this app. I love it because I like how the comic book style made the story come alive in a more entertaining fashion than the storybook deluxe. While there were no clips from the movie the art from the comic book and the sound effects and music gave it a dynamic feel.
This app is for the older reader and the special feature for this app is access to many artists renderings of key characters, animals and locations for the movie Brave. There are paintings, sketches and CGI renderings of Merida, her parents, Dun Broch and Mor’ Du. This gives the reader even more insight into the movie and the development of the characters as the movie was created. Another feature for the reader are step-by-step drawing lessons on how to draw Merida, Mor’Du and the triplets among others.
I found both of these apps to be great additions to our virtual bookshelf. They truly captured the spirit of the movie and allow us to relive the adventure at any time. Which is good because mini-Merida is running around our house shooting arrows at imaginary targets all the time.
Here is the press release on the two apps.
DISNEY PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES TWO “BRAVE” APPS FOR iPHONE, iPAD & iPOD TOUCH BASED ON NEW DISNEY·PIXAR FEATURE FILM
“BRAVE: STORYBOOK DELUXE” AND “BRAVE INTERACTIVE COMIC” FEATURE ORIGINAL CHARACTERS AND DYNAMIC ANIMATION
WHITE PLAINS, NY, JUNE 14, 2012 – Disney Publishing Worldwide today announced the release of two new apps featuring the original characters and storyline from Disney·Pixar’s action-adventure summer release, Brave (2012). The “Brave: Storybook Deluxe” and “Brave Interactive Comic” Apps, available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, incorporate dynamic animation and interactive content as readers follow the story of Princess Merida, who defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom and must rely on her bravery to undo a beastly curse.
“Brave is a story with courage at its core – it’s about a young girl determined to create her own life path. Our aim was to retell this inspiring story in a variety of formats so that kids of all ages can enjoy it long after they watch the film in its full, 3D glory,” said Lyle Underkoffler, vice president, Digital Media. “Disney Publishing has introduced a level of interactivity into the storybook that gives children a chance to re-live Merida’s adventures through visually breathtaking and immersive storytelling experience.”
“Brave: Storybook Deluxe” is a complete retelling of the film for children ages 5 and up, following Merida through a courageous voyage to defy an age-old tradition and forge her own destiny. The app features beautiful art, character voices, dynamic animation, and surprising interactive elements. Readers can also play an engaging archery game where Merida and Angus discover the true meaning of bravery as they gallop through the woods shooting makeshift targets with a bow and arrows.
“Brave Interactive Comic” is a more advanced interactive graphic novel for kids ages 7 to 12 that turns this retelling into an enriched animated comic with special effects, enticing music and sounds, as well as engaging content that can be discovered with a single tap. Readers can watch as Merida discovers the mystery that lies within the Scottish Highlands through clips, sketches, and participate in step-by-step drawing lessons.
The “Brave: Storybook Deluxe” and “Brave Interactive Comic” Apps are available for $6.99 and $1.99 respectively from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
For more, visit www.disneybookapps.com and www.facebook.com/DisneyReads, or follow @DisneyReads on Twitter.
About Disney Publishing Worldwide
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines, with over 700 million products sold each year. Disney Publishing Worldwide consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints including Disney Book Group in the U.S., Disney Libri in Italy and Disney Libros in Spain. DPW publishes a range of children’s magazines globally including Topolino, Le Journal de Mickey, and Donald Duck, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. which include Disney Princess and Phineas and Ferb. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail licensing program. DPW’s digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.
Disclosure: We received these two apps for free to review. Opinions about them are 100% mine.