Brave

****
Dir. Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
I think it's safe to say that it's pretty much impossible for Pixar to make a bad film. This is just a group of people who have a genuine passion for the art, and who devote themselves to producing great movies. Their latest picture is Brave, a comedic fantasy that features an adventure seeking Princess who desires nothing more than to abandon the life her pompous mother has made for her. With three directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Purcell; and four screenwriters: Brenda Chapman, Irene Micchi, Mark Andrews, and Steve Purcell; this film indeed does justice to Pixar's previous works.

This is an original and compelling story (not the best but fair) that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Merida (Kelly MacDonald) wishes to change her fate when her mother Elinor (Emma Thompson) arranges for the lords of the neighboring clans to compete for her hand in marriage. Her father Fergus (Billy Connolly) is the ruler of an ancient kingdom, seeking to unite the surrounding territories. When Merida attempts to escape from this, she ventures into a nearby forest and encounters a mysterious witch (Julie Walters), who promises the Princess she can change her fate. Yet when Merida uses the potion given to her by the witch, it causes her mother to experience a bizzarre transformation which they have but forty-eight hours to revoke. Their journey enables them to discover things about one another, and challenges them to use the deepest layers of their courage in order to overcome the various obstacles they face.

Like any Pixar film, the animation is absolutely spectacular. Executive Producers John Lasseter, Pete Doctor, and Andrew Stanton spent years working on developing the details of Merida's hair alone, along with the many other characters and settings. There are scenes overlooking the country that sent chills down my spine because they're so beautifully constructed. The artistic value of each shot is worthy of comparison to visionaries such as Peter Jackson and Ridley Scott. Yeah, it's that good. Composer Patrick Doyle also does a great job of making each score correlate with the mood of the story.

Although the story doesn't have the same emotional intrigue as Toy Story or Finding Nemo, what makes it so captivating is that it's a visual spectacle. There's a good amount of laughs, unique characters, and magnificent cinematography. Although it will have to compete with Paranorman and Frankenweenie, this one will definitely be in the running for best animated film of the year.