Before I begin, it's safe to say that I'm a huge Pixar fan, and so my expectations of Pixar's latest film, Brave, were pretty high. They do set the bar pretty high with each film, but with all the interviews any of the Pixar Brain Trust give (love the round table discussions on the blurays), it's always about the story first and foremost. If the story doesn't engage the viewer then you may as well not bother with getting the rest of the film right. After all they have started from scratch on previous films before when things weren't right (Toy Story 2 for example).
After watching Brave, the tradition continues. The story, set in 10th century Scotland, is essentially one of a mother and daughter. A mother who wants her daughter to be a proper Princess, and has arranged for her to married, but the daughter wishing for freedom from tradition and independence has other ideas! They clash and Princess Merida rides off into the forest where she eventually strikes a deal that will change her fate, but not how she expects!
The plot may be somewhat familiar and overused, what isn't these days, but it works and keeps you along for the ride. The performances from the cast, the majority of them Scottish too, so at least the accents are 100% real (for a change), are bang on, and full of Scottish references that made me chuckle! From Kelly MacDonald as Merida, Emma Thompson as Queen Elinor, Billy Connolly as King Fergus and featuring Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson as the three Clan leaders plus Julie Walters as the witch, all fit their characters well!
10th century Scotland has never looked better! The animation is beautifully rendered, the landscapes looked lush and the character's animations and mannerisms are pitch perfect. Looks like even the tiniest bit of detail was thought out fully, right down to the last hair on Merida's flowing red locks.
The score from Patrick Doyle, has a rich Scottish flavour to it as well with bagpipes and the like as well as orchestral pieces too. Maybe not quite up there like Thomas Newman's score for Wall-E or Michael Giacchino's score for Up, but I like it. I am Scottish and do like traditional Scottish music after all.
I'd say that Pixar is back on form with Brave. Not your standard Disney princess story but it's one that works, and I for one can't wait to get the bluray.
**** out of 5
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