Brave (2012)

All Critics (214) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (168) | Rotten (48) | DVD (4)

No, not another Pixar classic, but for full-on family fun it's a brave effort.

August 7, 2012 Full Review

Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Top Critic

The story, with its patchwork of plots (involving feuding clans and disastrous spells), holds together enough to thrill intermittently.

July 2, 2012 Full Review

Bruce Diones

New Yorker

Top Critic

Though it falls short of the studio's best in many respects, Brave is ravishing to look at. Merida's carrot corona is alone worth the price of admission.

June 22, 2012 Full Review | Comments (4)

Christopher Orr

The Atlantic

Top Critic

The tone is uneven and more often morose than joyful. The pacing is slow and at times almost tedious. The end result is something that feels like it was put together from a jumble of Disney clichés tacked onto the skeleton of Beauty and the Beast.

June 22, 2012 Full Review | Comments (113)

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

Saying that Brave is entertaining but not astonishing is pretty much admitting your straight-A student got a B.

June 22, 2012 Full Review | Comments (9)

Lisa Kennedy

Denver Post

Top Critic

It's a safe experience; but safe, in this case, is better than sorry.

June 22, 2012 Full Review | Comments (7)

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Top Critic

Courage, independence and family are all beautifully brought to life by Pixar.

March 4, 2013 Full Review

Tom Glasson

Concrete Playground

Although the previews would have you believe that the film was an epic journey for the flame-haired firebrand, we are really treated (or deprived, depending on expectation) to a humble, small scale morality play.

December 31, 2012 Full Review

Jordan Hiller

Bangitout.com

Brave is yet another spectacular animated film released on Blu-Ray with the highest picture and audio quality.

November 27, 2012 Full Review

Jeremy Lebens

We Got This Covered

The freedom quest of a feisty Celtic princess with a jungle of wild red hair.

November 13, 2012 Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

"Brave" is the first foray in fairytale storytelling for "Pixar," and their first contribution to the growing pantheon of Disney princesses. It works so well that we can safely assume that it won't be the last fairytale coming out of Emeryville.

November 11, 2012 Full Review

James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Not a bad movie. Really appreciate what it wants to do, but it fails to live up to its potential.

November 11, 2012 Full Review

Michelle Alexandria

Eclipse Magazine

The hopping lamp gang has done it again, giving birth to a sharp, fresh fairy tale that in the pantheon of Pixar releases may not go down as a centerpiece, but comes close enough to the bullseye to sate moviegoing subjects kingdom-wide.

October 22, 2012 Full Review

Erick Weber

NECN

Steps outside the boundaries of what seems like a rather conventional tale at the outset, and subsequently elevates itself into something else entirely.

October 8, 2012 Full Review

Steve Wright

SciFiNow

A marvellous magical adventure, that'll perhaps stand the test of time even better than some of Pixar's movies we right now call classics.

September 30, 2012 Full Review

Sam Bathe

Fan The Fire

While it doesn't break a lot of new ground, Brave is a beautiful and competent entry in Disney's robust fairytale film pedigree.

September 27, 2012 Full Review

Ben Kendrick

ScreenRant

While Brave is a mile ahead of other animated features hitting our screens, it does feel like a lesser Pixar work.

September 27, 2012 Full Review

Adam Ross

The Aristocrat

Kids will probably enjoy it for its beautiful design, but the adults in the audience will probably be wondering why Pixar decided to skimp on the story this time around.

September 14, 2012 Full Review

Jeff Beck

Examiner.com

A film that truly lives up to its name, Brave gives animated princesses a much-needed reboot.

September 14, 2012 Full Review

Kristal Cooper

We Got This Covered

Overflowing with heart, vibrant color, thrilling adventure, and with a bold new protagonist to add to the Disney canon, Pixar's "Brave" is a wonderfully unique spin on the classic princess tale.

September 10, 2012 Full Review

Justin Craig

FoxNews.com

The film's real strength is in the central relationship, which pays off in a way that's far more delicate and complex than most animated films would dare

August 24, 2012 Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

In many respects, it's one of the most mature animated films to come out of Disney or Pixar in their long, storied careers.

August 22, 2012 Full Review

William Bibbiani

CraveOnline

The backgrounds are too realistic and there's no warmth and little magic in the story and the characters.

August 19, 2012 Full Review | Comments (2)

Philip French

Observer [UK]

Strip away the Highland myth and mystery and the heart of the story is a prickly mother-daughter relationship. Just watch the sparks fly when the irresistible force that is a wilful teenager meets the immovable object incarnated by a stubborn mother.

August 17, 2012 Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

A wonderful piece of cinematic engineering, story and character in perfect harmony.

August 17, 2012 Full Review

Richard Edwards

SFX Magazine

[T]urns the Disney-princess paradigm upside down and inside out... [Y]es, it is possible to tell a story about a female protagonist that is not about finding romance.

August 14, 2012 Full Review | Comments (2)

MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

• 1. Merida: There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it.
  – Submitted by Mati M (55 days ago)
• 1. Merida: There are those who say that fate is something beyond our command. That our destinies are not our own. But I know better. Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it.
  – Submitted by Sara B (5 months ago)
• 1. Merida: I want my freedom!
  2. Queen Elinor: But are you willing to pay the price your freedom will cost?
  – Submitted by Kathleen D (5 months ago)
• 1. Queen Elinor: A princess does not put her weapons on the dining table!
  2. Merida: Oh Mum...
  – Submitted by Caite D (5 months ago)
• 1. Merida: Mom, you have changed.
  2. Queen Elinor: [laughs] We both have.
  – Submitted by Augustine S (6 months ago)
• 1. Queen Elinor: Legends are lessons. They ring with truths.
  – Submitted by jaswant r (6 months ago)