Brave (PG)

Film

Family films

Kelly MacDonald's red-haired lass, center, in Brave

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says

Tue Aug 7 2012

With past achievements including the ‘Toy Story’ trilogy, ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Wall-E’, Pixar has pushed the envelope for digital animation so many times that there’s a tiny bit of disappointment involved when its latest offering turns out to be merely really good rather than an absolute knockout. True, it does offer the company’s first female heroine, a tomboy-ish medieval Scots princess, Merida (delightfully voiced by Kelly Macdonald). But its blend of warrior adventure, parental bonding, scary bits and cute hi-jinks leans more to established, slightly predictable Disney formulae than usual. ‘McMulan’, anyone?

All that being so, ‘Brave’ remains enjoyable on so many levels that it’s almost churlish to grumble. It’s grounded in authentic emotional conflict, for one thing, as free-spirited teenager Merida fails to see why her mum, the Queen (Emma Thompson, impeccable as ever), insists on getting her married, since she’d rather be off shooting arrows than standing beside some stupid nobleman. Putting a witch’s spell on her parent turns out not to be the best idea, however, as the story feeds dramatic reversals into a touching learning curve for both parties. With a compelling central thread in its favour, the rest is about decoration, showing off the incredible degree of texture the animators have achieved in detailing clothes, armoury – and ginger hair!

Yes, there’s no mistaking we’re in Scotland, and another surprise is the affection displayed for a nation of wild landscapes, impenetrable accents and volatile personalities. With a super voice cast – including Billy Connolly and Kevin McKidd – clearly having a ball, there’s a degree of knockabout in the air, but no sense of shortbread-tin tweeness. No, not another Pixar classic, but for full-on family fun it’s a brave effort.

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Release details

Rated:

PG

UK release:

Mon Aug 13 2012

Duration:

100 mins

Cinemas showing Brave

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Hammersmith Cineworld

207 Kings Street, W6 9JT Show map/details

  • Address:

    Hammersmith Cineworld 207 Kings Street
    W6 9JT

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  • Sun May 19:

    • 11:00

Cineworld Wandsworth

Southside Wandsworth High St, London, SW18 7NR

  • Sun May 19:

    • 10:15

Cineworld West India Quay

11 Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, London, E14 4AN Show map/details

  • Address:

    Cineworld West India Quay 11 Hertsmere Road
    West India Quay
    London
    E14 4AN

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  • Sun May 19:

    • 11:30

Cineworld Wood Green

Shopping City, High St, London, N22 6YQ Show map/details

  • Address:

    Cineworld Wood Green Shopping City
    High St
    London
    N22 6YQ

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  • Sun May 19:

    • 10:10
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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (10 ratings)
  • عالی بود عالی ...من Ú©Ù‡ تا به حال یه همچین Ù�یلمی ندیده بودم دمشون گرم

    morteza Sat Nov 24 2012
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  • goooooooooooooooooood filmmmmmmmmmmmm.

    nicole Thu Sep 27 2012
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  • Great mother-and-daughter movie. I loved this film because instead of the usual evil, unreal villain it featured a common, very real family conflict, which is handled in a very intelligent way. I also enjoyed Merida as the main character, a breath of fresh air!

    Frannie Wed Sep 19 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • The film is very interesting, it's great for kids as it teaches them to be careful of what they wish for. I also think it can bring the family together, espeacially mother and daughter as this is what the film is mainly about. I also love how it's based in Scotland. It's also quite funny. You will enjoy this.

    TTHAPPY Sun Sep 16 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Not a patch on the flagship Pixar films ... but that really doesnt matter because the youngsters will still like it.

    ARCHGATE Tue Aug 21 2012
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  • P.s my mistake I give the film 5 stars

    Cj Tue Aug 21 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • I agree with john...Ian get a life. U have disected a kids film, well done u. Its not schizophrenic and not racial thats just u being over sensitive and anal :) ...theres always one eh

    Cj Tue Aug 21 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Great kids film with lots of likeable characters. As for Ian on a previous review, get a life you sad boy

    John Sun Aug 19 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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  • Did I watch a different film to everyone else? Firstly Chapman, who also wrote the script, didn't direct the film she was removed by Pixar and replaced. The credits show two directors and a co-Director which probably tells you all you need to know about the film. It has the look of a compromise with the co-director brought in as mediator between the writer and original director and the producers and replacement director. As such it displays the scizophrenia of a film that doesn't know if it should be a childrens action movie with laughs or a feminist girl power film. Perhaps it was the thought of the latter that caused the split between writer / director and the money men in suits? Just a thought Time Out the heroine was voiced by Kelly MacDonald and not Reece Witherspoon (who is shown in the cast list). MacDonald does a good job and Thompson does her normal professional job. Billy Connolly plays well himself. He and the others "Lairds" are not so much characters as cliches and racial stereotypes. I nearly fell asleep half way through. Its Ok but not great and as far as I am concerned unlucky thirteen for Pixar.

    Ian Sun Aug 19 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • A truly great film. The storyline is smart, the characters are likeable, and the overall presentation of animation is beautiful. Unlike most Disney princess movies, you never feel uncomfortable from corny lines or misogyny.

    Talula Nixon Thu Aug 16 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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