Brave

PG, 2012, Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Kevin McKidd

  Toys, Monsters, Superheroes, Cars, Waste-collecting robots; the Pixar list goes on, and will continue to do so as long as Pixar effortlessly manage to sustain their excellence, amidst some signs of - not so much stalling, than slowing down (the critical derision of Cars 2 from everybody bar 8-year old boys forms the integrity of that statement.) Fresh ideas may be sapping, with their last original offering being 2009’s Up - as well as two more sequels in the works - but with Pixar, (emphasis on the word 'but',) there’ll never be any empirical reason to lose faith.

 

Their latest, however, faces challenges: people have become content revisiting beloved characters, whether it’s Woody, Buzz or Lightning McQueen. Somewhat interestingly, one common link between the entire Pixar back-catalogue is that female leads are pretty scarce. So perhaps in an attempt to prove they are still the leading animated classic-churner in the movie kingdom, head honchos unveil Brave: an original fairytale about a Princess. Set in Scotland. It is fair to say excitement has been lower on the league table than with previous outings - with production troubles meaning female director Brenda Chapman and title The Bear and the Bow departed the shoot, paving the way for Mark Andrews to take the reigns - but it is very probable this may have worked in its advantage. After a solid opening proves that there is no fear in making the younger audience members fly off seats in fright, it grows ever apparent that Pixar still defy fear to transcend what is expected of them. Using their princess protagonist as a tool, Merida is a force to be reckoned with. Enduring her expectant day-to-day princess rituals, she showcases her desire for adventure through narration and visual spectacle that further prove Pixar can deprive you of breath easier than CG-driven live action set-pieces. Voiced by Kelly Macdonald, she is the heart and soul of the piece, with reliance on the audience taking to this character to embrace the end product. If at first you are put off by the talky folklore dialogue and Merida’s reckless attitude, by the film’s end you will more than likely have accepted her, not just down to the fire-haired teenage princess’s trajectory. The support surrounding her each select their attempts to show-steal; Billy Connolly’s King Fergus, a peg-legged booze-guzzler, or even Emma Thompson’s Queen Elinor, who gets embroiled into the film’s overarching plot in a way one genuinely might not expect via Julie Walters' bizarrly-concepted witch. 

Strip everything back however, and Brave – whether you like it or not – falls short of the mark. Perhaps this is due to the instant-classic nature of the studio’s previous, downright braver, efforts. But Brave’s most noble element is its insistence on not trying to better what has come before, instead opting to provide something on a smaller-scale than what no doubt will come next (Monsters, Inc. gets the prequel treatment next summer in Monsters University.) Meaning it's easier to embrace the film’s redeeming qualities, threatening to glow even brighter with a re-watch – if Brave even lingers long enough in your brain to warrant another.

The world sits even tighter for the return of Sully and Wazowski.

3.5/5

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Cars 2

2011, U, Directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis
Starring: Larry the Cable Guy, Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer

Although back in 2006 Cars didn’t break any Pixar records, it sure has endured as something of a merchandising storm – so much so that the presence of the beloved characters (something that Pixar are unrivalled in creating) combined with head honcho John Lasseter’s personal involvement led to the animation studio’s second sequel. Instead of retreading a formula however, the engine is revved and the stakes are upped. Not only are we based in Radiator Springs, the rediscovered lost town from the first film, but on a full-speed trip around the world where three-time Piston Cup champion Lightning McQueen is battling to win the World Grand Prix. What seems like a straightforward contest soon uncovers itself through tag-along Mater who embroils himself in a covert spy operation, led by Finn McMissile (Caine). Whilst the first film didn’t set critics eyes ablaze upon its first visit, it still remains a brave decision to make this so different – what Cars ironically lacked in fast set-pieces was more than compensated for in character. The gear stick is completely shifted here; and this is where Cars 2 is in danger of rolling backwards down the hill it has so far cruised up.

Where the first one was said to have stalled, this one races ahead and is in fear of leaving audiences trailing behind. Focus is now on Mater, the goofy but loveable tow-truck friend of McQueen and the credible voice work ensures Mater doesn’t frustrate, but endears (note how Larry the Cable Guy takes lead credit here from Owen Wilson). The true joy of Cars 2 is not what appears on the surface but the surrounding detail. Pixar are well-known dab hands at planting things within the frame that take a few watches to manifest themselves. Combine this with the adventurous quality at play and you have a Pixar sequel that doesn’t sustain the greatness of its predecessor (like Toy Story 3 effortlessly managed to do) but provides enough charm to convince as a rollicking fun ride. Reserve your parking space now (admit it, you smiled).

3/5

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Cars

U, 2006, Directed by John Lasseter and Joe Ranft

Starring: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt

After reaching such stratospheric success not only critically, but commercially with the Toy Story’s and Finding Nemo - amongst others - an increasing amount of pressure is layered onto whatever Pixar decide to do next. Back in 2006, John Lasseter – the main man behind the creation of Woody and Buzz – introduced the world to a universe that doesn't feature toys, monsters or superhero families – but cars. In doing so, he unveiled probably Pixar’s most underrated outing to date. The plot follows racing car Lightning McQueen (a character now possibly in every young boy’s toy collection) who is en route to California to race a tie-breaking match for the yearned after Piston Cup. However, a turn of events leads him away from the interstate and towards Radiator Springs, an abandoned town that is home to a quirky set of car-acters; these include slow, southern-drawled Mater, the most loyal tow truck the big screen has seen, as well as grouchy Doc Hudson (voiced by Paul Newman in what was to be one of his last roles).

Granted, Cars lacks the immediate spark that previous Pixar efforts effortlessly emanate, but it would be unfair to judge what Lasseter deems his most personal film on previous successes. This is one hell of a slow-burner, with the script containing more than a full tanks worth of adult-aimed witticisms than first remembered. With the emphasis usually on characterisation (and pitch perfect voice casting), Pixar here raise the bar visually, evidenced no more than in the opening race sequence. The attention to detail is overwhelming and creates such a well realised universe that it is impossible not to be charmed by the entire thing. It really is up there with the ocean in Finding Nemo or the barren landscape of Wall●E. Although the film runs out of gas towards the end, there are enough lovely moments to keep you smiling and caring about the outcome. It comes as a surprise the extent to which Cars engrosses you; although this animated team makes no secret about wanting the audience to be snivelling into a tissue come the credits, you are caught off guard a few times here (a scene towards the film’s close beautifully pits in true Pixar fashion the importance and power of friendship) as a lump in your throat emerges. Strangely, Cars improves on re-watch – and only then will you agree with me that this film deserves more recognition. Not as obviously amazing as any of its predecessors, this is still top stuff.

4/5 

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