Brave

Voices of: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson
Directed by: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Rating: PG
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
2012

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: To change her fate, a young, strong-willed Princess (Kelly Macdonald) uses a witch's spell. The spell has unintended consequences, so she must summon all her bravery to break the curse.

Review:

Tim: After the surprising critical disappointment that was Cars 2, Pixar Animation needed a good film to bounce back with. Brave is interesting- it's a gorgeous movie, solidly made, and entertaining. It is an enjoyable film from start to finish, and it helps to wash some of the bad taste out of our mouths from Cars 2. And yet, this movie certainly feels like a worthwhile yet second-tier effort from Pixar. Some of this is a product of their own success- they have been so wildly effective at creating emotionally powerful, classic animated films, that they have raised the bar exceptionally high. Brave is certainly a good movie, but it does not compare to the best Pixar films. I liked it, but I certainly did not love it.

Let me first say that this film is jaw-droppingly beautiful. The animation department really pushed the boundaries here. There were a few minutes throughout the film where I almost could not believe my eyes- that is how vivid and gorgeous the animation was. Princess Merida looks incredible- most especially, her hair. I've read that her hair is comprised of 1500 strands, and the software and expertise required to bring this to life is astounding. Her flowing red hair is mesmerizing. I loved the look of it, especially during the larger landscape shots. Merida's movement- and her hair- was simply stunning. The Scottish landscape around her is incredibly beautiful. The whole movie just looks amazing.

The story itself was interesting, although not spectacular. I found it interesting to discover what the movie was actually about (the trailers did not do much in the way of story). The plot is slightly above average. It is interesting, but did not feel as original as many Pixar films. It never really grabbed me or engaged me at a deeper level. I was intrigued and interested, but the emotional depth felt absent in this film. There were a few moments throughout the film that felt a bit slow, and even at a brisk 93 minutes, the movie dragged in places.

I usually love the underlying meaning behind Pixar movies. This one was really about changing your fate. I know that because people talk about changing your fate almost constantly throughout the movie. Now, that message is a powerful one, and I love it- I just felt like it was hammered home a bit too much. There wasn't quite enough payoff at the end, either. I understand how Merida changed her fate, but it felt like the movie could have made these scenes far more powerful and emotional.

This film wasn't particularly funny, either. I know not every Pixar movie needs to be a comedy, but the lighter elements really help when you have a serious adventure movie like this one. I am trying to remember if I laughed at all in this film, and I cannot recall a time. I do wish the movie was funnier.

The cast is pretty good. Princess Merida is your standard Disney princess character. It was great to see a Pixar film with a female protagonist, but I am not sure Merida will stand out from other Disney princesses over time. She's not memorable enough. I felt like the supporting characters were a bit weak- they really don't do anything to make themselves unforgettable. Besides Merida, the rest of the cast all blend together.

While I did not love Brave, I admit it is a very solid movie, and a return to form for Pixar. It was certainly an entertaining movie, and it was absolutely beautiful to look at. I have high hopes for them, and this movie gets me excited again about their upcoming projects. While not every Pixar movie can be an instant classic, this is another solid entry that boosts their already impressive resume.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Tangled, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo