Not quite at par with Pixar's high standard, but a decent watch

Rating: 6/10 (12 July 2012)

Pixar can pretty much do no wrong, but they've had a few mediocre moments when they're not quite invincible, either. This movie is alright, but not really worth the money you'll need to shell out for a family of four.
At once, there's a glimmer of Moulan, which was one of Disney's all-time poorest offerings. The elements of a teen girl wanting to prove her equality to her male peers and aspire to new things is betrayed by an attitude in these combat movies that actually says "you should bash as many people's heads as you can simply because you can." Princess Medea's selfish behavior doesn't help; she comes across quickly as a self- important brat, rather than the "Brave" heroine she is meant to represent. Her constant bickering with another character becomes tedious.
That's the negatives, but there are many things to cite on the positive side of the ledger. You won't be bored by this movie; it has lots of action, clever dialogue, fun sub-plots, and a well-developed central thread of a story to tell. At the times when the main character is written as the brilliant heroine the writer meant her to be, it comes through with flying colors. Speaking of color; this is a Pixar film: get ready to experience their vivid imagery and masterful animation. The backgrounds are exquisite, the characters well defined. Even tiny details are not missed, such as a close-up of a hand injury.
Kids will like it, and adults too--it appeals to different tastes with different levels of humor and drama. However, it's not quite at what I'll call the "forever memorable" level of movie making that Pixar often achieves.
It's best to wait for this one to show up on cable or as a rental.