Pixar's "Brave"

[Remus_Lupin]

This was just released here yesterday. Being an avid Pixar fan, I was a bit gutted at having to wait an extra month or so after the US release, and slightly trepidatious as the luke-warm reviews started emerging from it (try as I did to avoid them). Still, it didn't dampen my anticipation and I'm glad it didn't; it may not quite take its place in Pixar's upper echelons, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable, charming, and funny film. To say it is perhaps not Pixar's finest work is more a reflection of the studio's superbly high standards than a slight on the film itself.

One of the reasons I was looking forward to Brave so much was because we have had not an original Pixar universe since Up in 2010. I have much love for the universe and characters of Toy Story and Cars, but I was looking forward to the freshness of an original premise (I have been worried that Pixar are starting to suffer from sequel-itis, even more so with the rumoured Finding Nemo 2, but that is for another discussion). I did not feel left down in this regard; the studio creates a vast and beautiful landscape in its first period piece that fans of Medieval settings should love. Characterisation is also very strong; Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly McDonald, who keen Harry Potter fans might recognise as Helena Ravenclaw) is a likeable protagonist, backed up by some great supporting roles (Billy Connolly's King Fergus in particular*).

Initially, the premise feels like something we have seen plenty of times before; a princess' resentment towards a prescribed life and yearning for freedom in itself won't win accolades for originality. But before too long the viewer is presented with the twist in the tale, and the more unexpected central plot arc begins (at least it was for me, having managed to avoid synopses, which is why I'm skirting around one here). Once we're into the main plot it becomes quite a moving tale, permeated by the charm and warmth you would expect from Pixar output. It is not without its dark moments, though**. Despite this, it is also full of good humour so there should be no dearth of laughs to be had.

Special mention also has to go to the short film La Luna (I was also very happy to see the return of an original short, after the Toy Story short before Cars 2). I won't say anything about it other than the fact that it exudes the imagination and charm that have come to characterise the Pixar shorts, and it is beautifully scored by Michael Giacchino.

*

I have to also mention the visiting clan chiefs and their oafish sons who are competing for Merida's betrothal; they are wonderful and provide the biggest laughs.

**

The film is without a traditional antagonist. The closest it comes to having one is the giant bear Mor'du, whose presence gives us the darkest part of the film when we first come across him in the present day. It is actually quite an intense scene for Pixar standards, and perhaps why the film is PG (the first time I can recall a Pixar film not having a Universal rating).