De-Stressing

Nothing like a Monday to make your brain go a bit loopy is there? Luckily I was able to chill out this evening by finally making a trip to the cinema to see 'Brave'. Managed to get into a performance with just two other people and my friend Owen for company... found out a few minutes in that it was most likely because it was subtitled - but still, in lovely 2D, so no complaints here!

So a brief review of 'Brave'; I'd sum it up by saying it's not your classic Pixar, and maybe that's why it's getting a few moans from critics in among the praise. As ever it looks great, the animation is gorgeous and with the Scottish wilds as a backdrop the scenery is absolutely amazing (probably the most epic they've ever done, watch out for the waterfall scene in particular). The characters are all fresh and new, from the bickering chieftains (take a bow Billy Connolly et al) to the lead, Princess Merida (voiced by Kelly MacDonald).

The plot sees Merida's parents attempting to get her betrothed to one of the other chieftain's sons to keep the peace in the realm, something Merida is unable to see, instead only seeing her freedom being taken from her. Cue much rushing about, a dash of magic, some awesome bears and a lovely tale of the bonds between people and nations and the way they can be broken and fixed. The trouble is it all felt a bit rushed at time, and the message of being 'brave' was a little lost in between because of that, maybe I'm just fussy.

In any case if you like Pixar movies it's a good one, maybe not as good as 'Up' or 'Wall-E', but still a fine example of animated fun.