Destined for a better reception

Rating: 9/10 (20 April 2014)

First of all, unless you're talking about a sequel or re-make, comparing films rarely makes sense. I'm sure there are exceptions but Brave isn't one of them.
This movie stands on its own quite well - the pluses far out weigh the minuses.
The big pluses: Merida and Elinor. The big minuses: Fergus and The Suitors. Fergus himself looks like he's had his head squished between a pan and a rock while all of the suitors share similar physical deformations. Comic relief I guess; Brave doesn't need it.
All three of the movie's movements center on Merida and Elinor. The first chronicles Merida's growth into a fiercely independent teenager, a growth supported by both Elinor and Fergus, until it gets to be time for the traditional betrothal of The Princess, which comes as a shock to Merida.
She doesn't react well, launching the second movement in which she flees, searches for an alternative and winds up making a very bad choice, which winds up turning Elinor into a bear.
Third movement is the ultimately successful quest to reverse the curse.
Merida and Elinor are central to all three parts and all three approach, at moments, perfection. From Fergus presenting Merida with her first bow to Merida's rejection of the suitors and the process they represent, Merida's growth into that teenager is about as focused and entertaining as you can get. Same with the other movements: tight focus on the issue at hand, told with skill, intelligence and an eye toward the unexpected and its consequences, as well as Merida's successful conquest of those consequences.
As for the ending - well, it is a FairyTale with a FairyTale ending and, while weaker than than the other three parts, does serve well enough as a coda returning to tonic.
Brave does occasionally swerve into irrelevant shtick, especially towards the end, but manages to keep on the road and what is a movie without its minor imperfections?