When Brave peaked on Rotten Tomatoes at 76%, critics labelled the Disney/Pixar collaboration a disappointment. With that figure, you can bet that Mitt Romney is just dying for a similar “disappointment.” The problem isn’t Brave, but the standard Pixar has set for itself. The cynically merchandise-driven Cars and Cars 2 aside, each offering from the studio has been so much more than a movie. These are films that don’t simply leave you feeling entertained, but like you’ve just been cuddled, given a foot rub, spoon-fed bon-bons and asked have you lost weight.
Brave is a movie. A lovely movie. Far better than 90% of kids’ movies. It has sublime animation, funny characters, a great voice cast and a warm, emotional family-friendly message. But no bon-bons.
Kelly MacDonald voices the feisty and headstrong Princess Merida, constantly butting heads with her loving but strict mother (Emma Thompson), who wants her daughter to marry well. Add a quirky witch, some misunderstood magic and you’ve a gorgeous little concoction of traditional myths and universal themes.
It goes without saying that technically the film is stunning. With an emphasis on place and authenticity, the directors’ Scottish roots are evident in their adoring, almost photographic views of green vales, lush forests, shimmering waterfalls and glorious mountaintops. The traditional score swells and gallops, as Julie Fowlis’ lilting Scots-Gaelic songs send hearts soaring and a Birdy and Mumford and Sons collaboration perfectly embodies the inspiring theme of freedom and family.
As a whole, the film never reaches the level of humour, innovation, deeper metaphor or incredible originality of Pixar’s usual offerings. The traditional rebellion tale could be The Little Mermaid, or Mulan, or Freaky Friday – a nicely wrapped story of growing up and family relationships, with some very cute moments and slapdash humour.
Jokes about haggis and kilts feel inevitable, while fun characters like the witch, Craig Ferguson’s chieftain and Merida’s triplet brothers remain underused. The light and dark tones don’t quite come together until the final act, an admittedly triumphant tear-jerker.
A B-grade film by a straight A-student, Brave is absolutely worth seeing – just measure it by the film industry’s general standards, not Pixar’s.