Brave

It's summer! Time for Pixar Animation Studios to release yet another project as to add to those notches on their belts. This time it is another spell-binding production simply titled "Brave". As I've mentioned in other reviews, how do those guys [at Pixar Studios] do it?

Set in Scotland in a rugged and mythical time, "Brave" features Merida (Kelly Macdonald), an aspiring archer and impetuous daughter of the king, Fergus (Billy Connolly) and queen, Elinor (Emma Thompson). Determined to march by the beat of her own drum, Merida defies custom and decides to consult with a witch (Julie Walters) to change her fate. Of course this unleashes peril and forces her to spring into action by relying on her bravery and her archery skills to undo the horrid curse.

Others to round out the cast are Robbie Coltrane as Lord Dingwall, Kevin McKidd as Lord McGuffin/young McGuffin, Craig Ferguson as Lord Macintosh, Sally Kinghorn and Eilidh Fraser as Maudie, Peigi Barker as young Merida, Stephen Cree as young Macintosh, Steve Purcell as the Crow, Callum O'Neill as wee Dingwall, Patrick Doyle as Martin and John Ratzenberger as Gordon.

The pacing of this was well executed by directors Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews and co-director Steve Purcell. And it was equally well delineated by writers Andrews, Chapman and Irene Mecchi which was based on a story by Chapman. It simply amazes me how these guys at Pixar can take such a simple premise, in this case, a free-spirited, headstrong girl not wanting to be told what to do, and takes matters in her own hands and eventually screws things up only to learn a valuable lesson by trying to 'fix' the situation. But the way these guys write makes this premise fresh, sharp and full of pathos while teaching its audience a lesson without preaching all the while being entertained. Wow! Who would think an animated flick could have all these elements?

It seems that Pixar can do it all, whether it be animation, writing, directing, even the credits at the end of the film by Susan Mason Bradley are amazing. This film is a film for one and all and if you're into the 3D process, it makes this rock that much more.

Out of 4 stars: 4                       Rated: PG                      93min.