The makings of a classic

Rating: 10/10 (17 August 2012)

A classic is a most peculiar thing. It is a story that seems faintly familiar, like a path one has walked down a long time ago, and has almost entirely forgotten. It may not seem to be shiny and new, or to be exceedingly original, but there is a certain something about it that makes us read it (in the case of a book) or watch it over and over again. It does not lose charm through multiple viewings – they only add to our understanding.
"Brave" is such a movie as I should bravely declare a classic. In the very best sense of the word. This film is thrilling. It's filled with magic, wonder, humour and action, with memorable characters and what's more, it conveys truly valuable messages. It may be a story about love, but it is on no account a love story like we have been used to see Disney do – without wanting to spoil anything which I (a girl who always hated the fact that the princess needed to be saved) particularly delighted in. It is in short, the sort of story I would have loved to bits as a child and that still admire now – with a heroine, who is certainly a better role model for any girl (and boy) than all of the Disney princes and princesses combined. This film is more than just entertainment, it has incredible moral value. But the entertainment doesn't fall short. It's hilarious, it's fast paced, it's full of suspense to the very last moment and it's absolutely visually stunning. The character animation is utterly gorgeous, real actors could hardly have been more convincing. It's 3D animation at its very best, and is well worth watching in 3D. The 3D is very well done and does not hurt the eyes, it is more like looking through a window than anything else and it really does add to the experience. There are two other things that I should like to recommend: Watch this film with your family, and stay for the credits. Not merely because of the after credits scene, which is lovely, but because the people who worked on it deserve it.
I must admit, I dearly hope there will be no sequel. This film is so truly wonderful that it is very well able to stand on its own.