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james0246 · 2012-06-23, 09:09

It's very hard to describe Brave. On one hand, there are the stunning visuals (I want Merida's hair) and superb voice acting (the best I've heard all year). On the other hand, though, there is a very weak story ('slight' is the best description, especially compared to Up, Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3 (which I'm not a fan of) or even Wall-E, all fairly mature stories wrapped in kid's packaging) that never really goes anywhere and the end result is as trite as it is unresolved. What moments I did like (while the film starts with the often misused 'girls can do anything boys can' storyline, the ending solved with traditionally "feminine" activities was a nice twist) are often overshadowed by the unease of the script as the characters try to accomplish tasks that serve no real purpose (or even self-sabotaging themselves). What makes matters worse is that the story is really ridiculously dark, yet the characters and direction emphasize lightness and fluffyness and comedy. This is, ultimately, a story about a mother selling her daughter as chattel, and somehow we are supposed to simply ignore this and believe this is a story about family (Or a mother and daughter who are disagreeing on a minor issue). This is a movie about a mother who is literally trying to sell her daughter, and the daughter that is trying desperately to escape her slavery (and what makes matters worse, the daughter is quite literally forced to be humbled and accept that slavery might be an okay option just cause it might save a kingdom (Aladdin had a similar storyline with Jasmine, but that movie dealt with the potential horrors in a far better manner).

Overall, I really disliked the story (I didn't even get into the silliness of the second act) and ultimately the characters. The 3D is also unnecessary (Pixar still hasn't learned how to use 3D, unlike it's many competitors that are rapidly equaling Pixar in the creative department). While not as bad as Cars 2 (which is still Pixar's worst film, not to mention darkest and most violent), Brave still suffers from massive problems that directly affect nearly every aspect of the film (beyond the visuals and the acting). (Some of this could be blamed on the many problems and disputes going on behind the screen (originally, a woman (the first female director for Pixar) was in charge of the story and direction, but, for unknown reasons, she was replaced halfway through, and I kept help but wonder if the disconnect in the film results from this extreme move).) 65/100.

2012-06-23, 09:09	Link #23
james0246 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Cupcake	It's very hard to describe Brave. On one hand, there are the stunning visuals (I want Merida's hair) and superb voice acting (the best I've heard all year). On the other hand, though, there is a very weak story ('slight' is the best description, especially compared to Up, Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3 (which I'm not a fan of) or even Wall-E, all fairly mature stories wrapped in kid's packaging) that never really goes anywhere and the end result is as trite as it is unresolved. What moments I did like (while the film starts with the often misused 'girls can do anything boys can' storyline, the ending solved with traditionally "feminine" activities was a nice twist) are often overshadowed by the unease of the script as the characters try to accomplish tasks that serve no real purpose (or even self-sabotaging themselves). What makes matters worse is that the story is really ridiculously dark, yet the characters and direction emphasize lightness and fluffyness and comedy. This is, ultimately, a story about a mother selling her daughter as chattel, and somehow we are supposed to simply ignore this and believe this is a story about family (Or a mother and daughter who are disagreeing on a minor issue). This is a movie about a mother who is literally trying to sell her daughter, and the daughter that is trying desperately to escape her slavery (and what makes matters worse, the daughter is quite literally forced to be humbled and accept that slavery might be an okay option just cause it might save a kingdom (Aladdin had a similar storyline with Jasmine, but that movie dealt with the potential horrors in a far better manner). Overall, I really disliked the story (I didn't even get into the silliness of the second act) and ultimately the characters. The 3D is also unnecessary (Pixar still hasn't learned how to use 3D, unlike it's many competitors that are rapidly equaling Pixar in the creative department). While not as bad as Cars 2 (which is still Pixar's worst film, not to mention darkest and most violent), Brave still suffers from massive problems that directly affect nearly every aspect of the film (beyond the visuals and the acting). (Some of this could be blamed on the many problems and disputes going on behind the screen (originally, a woman (the first female director for Pixar) was in charge of the story and direction, but, for unknown reasons, she was replaced halfway through, and I kept help but wonder if the disconnect in the film results from this extreme move).) 65/100.