Brave

Pixar are such a highly revered film company that each time they release a film it is like a major event. We expect brilliance and usually we get it.
Last year's release, 'Cars 2' was a major disappointment for me. I felt it lacked the magic which has been part of all the other Pixar films. I got the impression that it was only made to make money and not to tell a great story which is what all their other films have been about. 
'Bave' more than makes up for the lack of magic last year. I will admit that it did not start off too well. The beginning of the film is what you would expect from a film about a princess or indeed a prince. They are forced to be restricted to some family tradition but they must find some way to rebel. There was one scene though that made me breathe a sigh of relief, almost literally. It was the point that the Pixar magic made the movie come to life. After that it was a wonderfully emotional mother/daughter story with lots of great action sequences. The issues these two headstrong characters might have with each other are those that all mothers and daughters have so you feel that it is relatable. It is a universal story that despite being set in Scotland makes it relatable to all parts of the world. These characters are people and not just wonderfully animated computer generated images.
One other art of the Pixar magic is their ability to choose the right vocal talent for their films. Kelly Macdonald who most of you know through the TV series 'Broadwalk Empire' or the movie 'No Country For Old Men' is so perfect for this role. You never feel you are watching an actor do a voice, you feel you are really watching Merida. Equally as great is Emma Thompson as her mother. Emma is brilliant at all her live action roles and this film proves she is a brilliant vocal talent too. Billy Connolly is also great as the King. His character looks so much like him that you almost think his character is a live action person in an animated film. There are also some other wonderful roles with Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane and Craig Ferguson doing some great work.
I got a bit worried at the start but then you will soon see the Pixar magic emerge. While the 'Toy Story' trilogy had a father/son metaphor, 'Brave' gives you the brilliance of an emotional mother/daughter story.