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BRAVE (2012)Movie Reviews
Animation family adventure about a feisty princess whose refusal to marry leads to chaos in her father's kingdom. Cast:Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Kevin Mckidd, Craig FergusonDirector:Brenda Chapman, Mark AndrewsRelease Date:June 22, 2012DVD Release:November 13, 2012From:Walt Disney PicturesRating:PGLength:1 hr. 40 min.
Brave (2012) played to good reviews. • Stephanie Zacharek wrote for Movieline, "...doesn't get too hung up on deep meanings. The story is a simple one, told with agility and grace... the picture's charms just keep mounting in its favor..." • And Bill Goodykoontz wrote in the Arizona Republic, "Nice? Yes. Revolutionary? No.... But you don't reinvent the wheel every time." More Reviews Below...
Alynda Wheat, People: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...the character design, like the voice talent, is flawless.... [but] the story of a medieval lass aching to control her own life doesn't need witchy nonsense to be compelling."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 178 words, 06/21/12
Richard Corliss, Time: GOOD "Visually the most ravishing and complex Pixar movie... This is no 'Wall-E' or 'Up'... Once it finds its true theme, 'Brave' merits the vaunted Pixar brand."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 826 words, 06/15/12
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: MODERATE(cg) "After beginning in thrilling fashion, 'Brave' turns rather silly and slapsticky rather quickly.... the usual depth of story and well-developed characters simply aren't there."(See all of Christy Lemire's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 595 words, 06/21/12
Mara Reinstein, Us Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the story could use more wit and imagaination. That said, it's refreshing to see a fairy tale in which happily-ever-after involves parental bonding."(See all of Mara Reinstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 137 words, 06/21/12
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the movie displays its own independent spirit -- its Pixar-ness -- in the filmmakers' willingness to let conflict play out at length."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 599 words, 06/22/12
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...a rousing, gorgeously animated good time.... 'Brave' takes dark, dazzling turns. The beasts of the Scottish wild are no match for Merida's girl power."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 85 words, 06/22/12
Claudia Puig, USA Today: VERY GOOD(cg) "...realistically captures the complex shadings of familial relationships, particularly those between a mother and her teenage daughter. And for that, it's brave indeed."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 425 words, 06/22/12
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...kids will probably love it... parents will be disappointed if they're hoping for another Pixar groundbreaker.... this one finds Pixar poaching on traditional territory of Disney..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 484 words, 06/22/12
Glenn Kenny, MSN Movies: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...the most Disney-like movie that Pixar has ever made.... gets downright eccentric. Delightfully so, I thought, and I'm curious as to whether kids agree..."(See all of Glenn Kenny's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 579 words, 06/18/12
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...something that feels like it was put together from a jumble of Disney clichés tacked onto the skeleton of 'Beauty and the Beast'.... neither fish nor fowl."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 944 words, 06/22/12
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (14 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...what could have been a cool postmodern fairy tale turns into another family melodrama.... the animation, particularly in the outdoor scenes, can be transfixing..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,265 words, 06/22/12
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a mixed blessing.... the story is not as special as the princess inside it.... The bond between mother and daughter is engagingly primal yet awkwardly one-sided."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 422 words, 06/22/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "It's hard not to be affected by the emotional ending of 'Brave,' but the magic that is Pixar's birthright is inescapably absent more often than not."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 838 words, 06/22/12
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Like her well-meaning but domineering mother, Queen Elinor (a wonderful Emma Thompson), the movie doesn't quite know what to do with this girl."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 294 words, 06/22/12
David Edelstein, New York Magazine: VERY GOOD "...rollicking... a slapstick mother-daughter-rivalry farce that's at its most moving in mid-mayhem.... fast, funny, and unpretentious..."(See all of David Edelstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 607 words, 06/18/12
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...kids will probably love it... parents will be disappointed if they're hoping for another Pixar groundbreaker.... this one finds Pixar poaching on traditional territory of Disney..."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 484 words, 06/22/12
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "Merida is a defiant lass who acts as a much-welcome corrective to retrograde Disney heroines of the past and the company's unstoppable pink-princess merchandising."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 624 words, 06/20/12
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "It's a bit overstuffed with narrative incidents, occasionally wearying in its slapstick, and dependent on a too-convenient magical plot turn.... too safe and familiar for Pixar."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 714 words, 06/22/12
Josep Parera, La Opinion: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...no es solo una película de princesas, no es solo un cuento inolvidable, no es solo una aventura imperecedera. Es un ejemplo extraordinario de buen cine."(See all of Josep Parera's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 633 words, 06/22/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "Pixar gets its groove back with this lovely, stirring and very funny mythical adventure... filled with spectacular visuals, inventive action sequences and a passionate heart."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 161 words, 06/21/12
KEY CITIES (13 Reviews)
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The conflicts, magic spells, chase sequences and reconciliations feel strangely by-the-book for a studio so well known for throwing the book out entirely."(See all of Ann Hornaday's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 407 words, 06/22/12
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: VERY GOOD(cg) "...satisfying and spirited and laced with humor... a lot of heart has gone into this affair, which is rife with Celtic-inspired music and montages of the redheaded Merida..."(See all of Steven Rea's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 563 words, 06/22/12
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...can't decide if it's one of Pixar's rollicking action movies or one of their heart-tugging character-based comedies."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 441 words, 06/22/12
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: VERY GOOD(cg) "Nice? Yes. Revolutionary? No.... But you don't reinvent the wheel every time. Sometimes it's enough to keep it spinning smoothly."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 626 words, 06/22/12
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Eventually it straightens out into a fast, funny, emotionally resonant story about mothers and daughters (no love interests, thank you), but it takes a while..."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 850 words, 06/22/12
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...it feels pre-tested and predictable -- a lot more like the perfectly inoffensive 'Mulan' than, say, the touching 'Finding Nemo.' All the risk has been taken out of it."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 405 words, 06/22/12
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: MODERATE(cg) "A pleasing enough but unremarkable little story about an unconventional fairy tale princess having mother issues in medieval Scotland."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 669 words, 06/22/12
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "...well-engineered... a giant leap of imagination.... 'Brave' is easy to like but hard to love, a feel-good fable with the latest bells and whistles."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 330 words, 06/22/12
Sean Daly, Tampa Bay Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...misses its target mainly due to a tired, borrowed main plot point.... I'd be lying if I said I didn't squirt a tear or two at the film's poignant denouement. It got me. I admit it."(See all of Sean Daly's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 623 words, 06/21/12
Tom Long, Detroit News: VERY GOOD(cg) "...may not be a return to the 'Toy Story'-'Finding Nemo'-'WALL-E' level for the animation studio, but it's far superior to last year's 'Cars 2.' "(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 499 words, 06/22/12
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...takes a huge risk by priming you for a certain sort of narrative, then suddenly sending the plot into a radically different direction with one swift, astonishing scene."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 549 words, 06/22/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (11 Reviews)
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "Merida is a defiant lass who acts as a much-welcome corrective to retrograde Disney heroines of the past and the company's unstoppable pink-princess merchandising."(See all of Melissa Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 624 words, 06/20/12
Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend: EXCELLENT(cg) "...does lack some of the spark present in the studio's greater projects, but the movie is still fun, engaging, and emotional while featuring some stunning animation..."(See all of Eric Eisenberg's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 788 words, 06/20/12
Brett Michel, Boston Phoenix: MODERATE(cg) "...merely good. But after the successive triumphs of the past decade, it's hard to accept anything less than transcendence from the animation studio."(See all of Brett Michel's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 151 words, 06/21/12
Tasha Robinson, AV Club: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a film with multiple agendas and visions that don't fully work together. It's a lovely picture, but the frame could use some straightening."(See all of Tasha Robinson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,389 words, 06/21/12
Cynthia Fuchs, Pop Matters: EXCELLENT(cg) "Merida is all enchanting poise and great courage and terrific intelligence, that is, when she's not stomping her foot... This story is pretty brilliant."(See all of Cynthia Fuchs's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 967 words, 06/22/12
Stephanie Zacharek, Movieline: EXCELLENT(cg) "...doesn't get too hung up on deep meanings. The story is a simple one, told with agility and grace... the picture's charms just keep mounting in its favor..."(See all of Stephanie Zacharek's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,086 words, 06/21/12
Richard Larson, Slant: MODERATE(cg) "...flirts with actual commentary on the plight of women and responsibility... ultimately the film offers nothing more than a caricature of a well-worn conceit..."(See all of Richard Larson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 632 words, 06/15/12
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "Pixar gets its groove back with this lovely, stirring and very funny mythical adventure... filled with spectacular visuals, inventive action sequences and a passionate heart."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 161 words, 06/21/12
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Despite the spectacular animation, 'Brave's' story feels a little small, but it culminates with a thrilling confrontation and a reconciliation that'll give you the warm fuzzies."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 609 words, 06/20/12
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...gives us a fully fledged, well-rounded, beautifully developed female protagonist, with a complex, provocative personal journey that is hers alone... unique..."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,171 words, 08/14/12
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...what could have been a cool postmodern fairy tale turns into another family melodrama.... the animation, particularly in the outdoor scenes, can be transfixing..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,265 words, 06/22/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "It's hard not to be affected by the emotional ending of 'Brave,' but the magic that is Pixar's birthright is inescapably absent more often than not."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 838 words, 06/22/12
Dana Stevens, Slate: VERY GOOD "...a rollicking children's entertainment, gorgeously animated and wittily cast... an unusually astute exploration of the complex bond between mothers and daughters..."(See all of Dana Stevens's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,023 words, 06/21/12
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon: FAIR "...its story is thin and loopy, its characters (especially Elinor) woefully undercooked and its happy ending slapdash even by Disney standards."(See all of Andrew O'Hehir's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,037 words, 06/19/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Peter Debruge, Daily Variety: GOOD "...a wee bit conventional... a resonant tribute to mother-daughter relationships... offers a tougher, more self-reliant heroine for an era in which princes aren't so charming..."(See all of Peter Debruge's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 953 words, 06/10/12
Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: MODERATE "...visually stunning and strongly voiced, but doesn't take any real risks... starts off big and promising but diminishes into a rather wee thing..."(See all of Todd McCarthy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 750 words, 06/10/12
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "It's hard not to be affected by the emotional ending of 'Brave,' but the magic that is Pixar's birthright is inescapably absent more often than not."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 838 words, 06/22/12
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: VERY GOOD(cg) "...definitely merits a visit to the multiplex.... begins on such a strong and bright note, that inevitably the ensuing chapters cannot maintain the fast, clever, and funny tones..."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 646 words, 06/18/12
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...what could have been a cool postmodern fairy tale turns into another family melodrama.... the animation, particularly in the outdoor scenes, can be transfixing..."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,265 words, 06/22/12
15.0 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Brave (2012)'s reviews are separated by an average 15.0 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Brave (2012) (51 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Brave (2012)'s reviews cover 96.8% of potential readers (average is 68.0%). Volume:The film's reviews total 31,973 words involume (average is 20,221 words). Length:The film's reviews average 627 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 35.0 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.3 Release)
Brave (2012)'s reviews on average broke 35.0 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.3 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Brave (2012)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Brave (2012) (51 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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