Breathtaking visuals, slightly disappointing 3D

Rating: 9/10 (16 August 2012)

This film has reinvented Pixar for any number of reasons; not least of which that it is set in 10th century- Scotland. It was, indeed rather remarkable that Pixar chose this storyline above other, less controversial screenplays. Perhaps it had something to prove; this is, after all the first film with a female protagonist and (sort of) director.
As a Welshman, I have grown up with tales and legends of concepts like this one, as have other Celtic countries (I.E. Ireland and Scotland) but considering that the film was of American origin they (Pixar) had made a great effort to source a Scottish and otherwise British voice cast, and to learn of the traditional culture of Scotland, and a 10th century UK.
The music of Brave was beautiful, really well composed and performed. It made use of Celtic and Scottish instruments (fiddle, Celtic harps, flutes and bodhrán etc.) with a hint Of contemporaryness which I can't quite put my finger on. Patrick Doyle has done a great job (Touch The Sky is already on my I- Pod!)
Perhaps the best part of the movie were the visuals. Simply breathtaking (especially in 3D!) the highlands and forest of Scotland were, in their own way, the true star of the movie, and The Animators should be proud. The only let- down on this front were the darker scenes, which look even darker through 3-D glasses, for one scene at the end especially.
This is a must-see that takes on a far more mature tone than other films in this genre, and while the younger children came out of theatre sleeping, everyone around us was gripped by the film. Forget talking cars, films like these are the future of Pixar, it left me wanting a sequel! (But really? My mother's a bear?)