Many daughters, young and old, can relate to this kind of story about the plans and expectations that their mothers have for them that differ from their own interests.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 18, 2024

Merida becomes a rare kind of protagonist, whose lesson tells a rapt audience that defying customs is okay, as long as we take responsibility for our actions and consider the ones we love in the process.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 4, 2022

A powerful and relevant story wrapped up in gorgeous animation and one of the best soundtracks of the year.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 19, 2022

At ten, “Brave” is less flashy and way more modest than the other Pixar and Disney films it sits against. But it is that gentleness and wonderfully specific earnestness that distinguish it for the better.

| Jun 26, 2022

In the end, Brave really does mark a return to quality for Pixar.

| Feb 11, 2022

You're not going to see a more beautiful, eye-appealing movie than Brave this year.

| Original Score: A+ | Sep 18, 2021

I was pulled in by the film with fair ease, but eventually it seemed unsure where to go, and ultimately I don't think it really ever found a path of its own

| Jul 2, 2021

Brave, the new film from Pixar, is the most beautiful movie I've seen in years.

| Mar 10, 2021

Effectively creates its own world and mythology it would be easy to think it is an old tale updated by the story shamans at Pixar, but it's a new story that feels timeless.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 31, 2021

A grandly mediocre accomplishment.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Dec 1, 2020

The script is too fundamental and possesses a predictability that is not usually found in Pixar films.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 4, 2020

Brave is a charming diversion lacking the inspiration needed to make it linger in the memory.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 14, 2020

...try as they might to dress up Brave's conventional story with delicious visuals in hopes of balancing its faults, the film remains a substandard Pixar production that lacks the inventive creativity that we've all come to love and expect.

| Feb 9, 2020

However, what the film lacks in originality, it makes up for in technical and animated excellence.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 9, 2019

Be transported to ancient Scotland and a land of magic and adventure. The most visually stunning animated film of the year, Brave hits the bullseye! Move over Katniss! Merida's in town!

| Nov 26, 2019

...call me picky, but it seems a shame that a movie devoted to demolishing an outdated stereotype of female subservience enlists legion hall of hoary stereotypes to do so.

| Jul 31, 2019

There's plenty of rowdy humor to keep audiences entertained. But for a supposedly progressive film, Brave is marked by a notable amount of timidity.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 20, 2019

Merida is an appealing heroine, and the colorful cast of characters is great fun, voiced by a lineup of outstanding talent such as Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters and Craig Ferguson.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 8, 2019

I enjoy watching it but it could have been a real masterpiece.

| Original Score: C | Apr 19, 2019

The mother-daughter relationship is the film's strength, with some heartfelt exchanges that feel as authentic as most live action films.

| Apr 11, 2019