Yes, this could have been even better, but it's certainly better than many of the negative reviews. See it.

Rating: 7/10 (7 April 2013)

VERY MINOR spoilers.
No, Brave isn't Pixars Best. Personally, I wouldn't even call it the best animated film of 2012(it did win the Oscar). I might give an ever-so-slight edge to Wreck-it-Ralph for that honor, but it's close. Ralph has a bigger heart, and more interesting characters, but the animation from Pixar for Brave, is frankly, in a different time-zone.
You would expect from Pixar,.. it looks FANTASTIC. They continue to push the bar higher and higher in terms of animation.
Secondly, it's not bogged down with too much music. I think this really opens-up the entire genre for rock-heads like myself, who don't care to listen to one celine-dion-esque sap-song after another.
The pacing is excellent. There's no lulls in this one. I can't tell you how many times I've really enjoyed an animated film, only to have it start to bore me 2/3rd's of the way through(How to Train Your Dragon comes to mind - although I'm sure the comparison will throw some off).
Brave is bold and beautiful to look at, and it has a pretty big heart as well. We don't get too many of these films that address mother-daughter relationship issues, and Brave definitely has its heart in the right place.
The film is funny and exciting throughout.
That said, what's keeping this at 77/100 for me is in all the little areas where the film could have expanded, but didn't. The back-story about rival clans and a cursed-prince fall flat. The film seems a bit-rushed at 1hr and 36 minutes, and to it's credit it flies by and entertains for sure, but I wouldn't mind seeing the 2-Hr and fifteen minute version that expanded on this story's history AND ending.
Not at all surprised by the Oscar though, now that I've seen it.
Recommended for sure.
You Might Like This If You Liked:Beowulf(not nearly as good as this), The Incredibles(a touch better), and Coraline(even, or a touch better).
good movie! I might have to review both Wreck-it-Ralph and Brave again to confirm my first instincts. They're both clearly the best animated films I've seen from 2012(granted, I've only seen 5 or 6).
Don't put it off anymore if you have, it's about as adult-friendly a fine animated film as you're likely to see.