Brave (2012)

Let me get this out of the way... PPIIIXXXXAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!
Sorry, bit of a fan. on the quick, I really enjoyed the film, its not Pixars best film, but its doesn't feature talking Cars, so its nowhere near its worst (Irrational hatred for the Cars franchise, right here, even beyond them being really average films).
Brave is a film set around 10th century Scotland, where a Merida (Kelly McDonald), a Vibrant, Energetic and maybe a little bit wild Princess (Really has a fantastic head of hair too, go Red!). But she's coming of age, and her very Prim and proper Mother (Emma Thompson) and her Warrior father (Billy Connolly) go about arranging her married. Merida, not happy with the situation, goes about trying to 'change her fate'.

Let's get this started, The film looks as good as a Pixar film ever has. Though there are quite a few repeated environments in the film, they still look fantastic, and we see them at various points of the day/night and they do alter the tone. Pixars character design is fantastic and lively with great animation.
A lots been said about Brave not living up to expectation of Pixars legacy (coming off the mess that's Cars 2 thats saying something, and I'll say this, Cars 2 could have been great with a different story, or with the Story not being about Cars). There's a quite a few characters in this, and they're not overly developed, but there is enough of them shown that actually makes me want to see a prequel/sequel or side story developing them more. Our lead Merida is easily one of my favorite characters of the year, she's kinda adorable, and that's pretty good for a teenage type character. She's a Tom-boy, but given the environment, who could blame her. And the Her Mother Queen Elinor is nicely developed too over the story, most other character's isn't there. The relationship between Mother Daughter is the core of the story, and to be honest, i found it refreshing in an Animation, and also realistic. Not everyone is going to identify with the relationship issues presented here, it seems like it should be almost universal, but the non-communication and butting heads between Mother and Daughter feels realistic.
The pacing in the film feels a little off, it could have used with a few scenes being shortened, and others extended and maybe others being put in the middle, but then it would be too long. This clocks in at 1:40 hours, and that feels like enough time.

I feel like i'm biased towards this film, for what ever reason, Maybe i worship at the Altar of Pixar, so i loved the film. so i'm not going to continue with this any further.