Brave Review

Our verdict on Disney Pixar's latest animated effort from the last Summer Of Film...
It's been said time and time again that Disney Pixar are struggling to match the quality of their classic animated efforts these days. I'd contest that, with Toy Story 3 a beautiful prime example of the studio retaining the quality of their legendary works such as A Bug's Life and Finding Nemo, but with their latest outing Brave the case is a little more difficult to argue in its favour. There's plenty of potential shown off in the early stages for something special, but ultimately there's a rather mediocre taste to the whole experience.

As per usual, though, let's deal with the positive aspects of the film. There's a solid cast rounded up to don Scottish accents for the production, including Kelly McDonald, Julie Walters, Emma Thompson and Billy Connolly. Thanks to these stars, there's a pleasant cult charm to proceedings on Disney Pixar's parts, deviating nicely from many of the character depictions we've seen from the studio in the past decade or so. Indeed, characters such as the ginger triplets and the princes vying for their potential princess' love are like nothing we've seen before in recent Disney efforts. In this sense, there's perhaps variation to warrant merit and distinction from past Pixar entries.

However, whereas on top of the traditionally brilliant visuals and visionary direction, the Pixar classics have boasted innovative and bold storylines, there's a disturbing sense that the writing team rested on their laurels this time around. Brave's plot focuses on young Merida, a princess-to-be who struggles to accept her fate and in an attempt to change the future has her mother turned into a bear. Typically enough, themes of reconciliation and family are layered throughout the storyline, but in a less effective way than has been accomplished in past Disney hits like The Lion King. Younger viewers will undoubtedly be encapsulated by the sights and visual setpieces, but for the adult viewer, the narrative will leave them wanting.

If there's a note I want to end on around Brave, it's most certainly this: if Disney Pixar hope to come close to matching Toy Story 3 and its predecessors in the near future, then they need to start thinking outside the proverbial toy box again. Right now, it feels as if efforts like Brave are being churned out of sheer laziness, and yet more franchise sequels such as Monsters University, Finding Dory and Cars 3 aren't exactly reassuring this reviewer at this time. Fans of Scottish films and animated flicks will find elements to love in Brave, yet this time they're sadly far fewer inbetween.
2.5/5