Come what may, Pixar has specialized in relatively unimpressive trailers that earn kudos for not giving away the whole movie. So when I tell you that I wasn't dazzled by this introductory teaser, there is little cause for alarm. What's most interesting is that the film is the first case of Pixar telling a straight-up Campellian 'Hero's Journey' tale, as opposed to their standard "Man Comes to Terms With Death/What He Cannot Change" fables that gave us Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Up, and Toy Story 3. The animation is striking, and the 2.35:1 aspect ratio is welcome. The Scottish setting, the young child who wants to break away from tradition, and Billy Connelly's distinctive brogue makes it feel a bit similar to How To Train Your Dragon (Craig Ferguson turns up here too) albeit with a gender-switch. The former was about a young man who didn't want to fight, while this one has a young woman who wants to be a warrior. Anyway, so far, this one looks pretty solid, even if the trailer highlights bawdy humor over red-blooded adventure, and Pixar has certainly earned our trust over the years. Brave opens June 22nd, 2012. As always, we'll see.
Scott Mendelson
Scott Mendelson
