Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Brave (2012)


What Pixar does best is create situations and comedy that arise from very *real* characters. They stay firmly within the world they've created for themselves, whether that's an abandoned Earth, a world where toys can talk, or deep under the sea, proving that you DON'T need anachronistic jokes to make a movie funny. Brave... doesn't do this so well. The first half of the movie has no coherent emotional center, and, therefore, both the dramatic and comedic moments feel forced. It's not until the second half that the whole thing solidifies for me. However, that gets the ball rolling, and by the very end of the movie I was thoroughly enjoying myself. It's not a very *original* offering from Pixar, but kids will like it just fine, Merida is ultimately a great character (she's like Ariel but, you know, actually is sorry when she almost kills her parents), the movie *looks* gorgeous, and there are a few wonderful little touches. The movie didn't quite meet Pixar's standards - let's hope their next one gets this studio back on track. 3 stars.

Best Part: The bear fight at the end was excellently done - suspenseful and emotionally charged.
Worst Part: "If you'd like to inquire about a portrait or wedding cake toppers, pour vial one into the cauldron." REALLY? That's neither a clever joke nor a funny one. Pixar, I am disappoint.
Flickchart: #695, below Forgiving Dr. Mengele and above No Highway in the Sky.

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