---
title: "Brave"
year: 2012
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/brave"
fi1m_id: "brave"
imdb_id: "tt1217209"
tmdb_id: 62177
wikidata_id: "Q126796"
fi1m_score: 73
critics_score: 64
critics_reviews: 20
published: "2026-10-01T21:56:05.041447+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-01T21:56:05.626212+00:00"
region: "SA"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Brave (2012)

Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman · 1h 33m · Adventure, Animation, Family, Fantasy

## Identity

Brave

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/brave
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** brave
- **IMDb ID:** tt1217209
- **TMDB ID:** 62177
- **Wikidata ID:** Q126796
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1217209/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/62177, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126796

**Fi1m score: 73** · Critics 64 from 20 reviews

*In a sentence:* The mother has a point, and the daughter is understandably furious about it

> *Brave* is an engaging family fantasy whose mother-daughter quarrel is more persuasive than its plotting. Kelly Macdonald and Emma Thompson give it warmth and bite, though the broad comedy repeatedly interrupts their better, quieter work.

## Synopsis

In Scotland, Merida (Kelly Macdonald) wants to decide how she will live, while her mother, Elinor (Emma Thompson), expects her to honour family tradition. Around them are Fergus (Billy Connolly), Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane) and Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson). Merida resents being told what to do; Elinor regards preparing her daughter for her responsibilities as part of being a mother. Neither accepts the other’s account of their disagreement. Merida’s impatience and Elinor’s insistence on proper behaviour make it harder for either to hear what the other is asking.

## Review

*Brave* is a good family adventure with a more interesting mother than its noisy comedy initially suggests. Directors Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman put Merida’s impatience with family expectations at its centre, then give Elinor enough force to make the disagreement worth following. The film works best when it allows both women to be difficult. Its broader jokes and uncertain plotting are less rewarding, but the relationship gives us a reason to stay.

Kelly Macdonald voices Merida with an impatience that can be funny and wearing in the same exchange. That is credible behaviour for someone who wants to be heard, though the film occasionally seems to think repetition makes the point stronger. Emma Thompson’s Elinor is the richer performance: firm, wounded and convinced that she is helping. We felt for her more than we expected. Emma Thompson makes the mother’s concern audible beneath the instructions, so that Merida’s resistance hurts even when we understand it.

The Scottish setting deserves the attention it gets. Cinematographers Danielle Feinberg and Robert Anderson give the landscapes a painterly softness without making them feel insubstantial. Steve Pilcher’s production design supplies enough detail to reward looking around, rather than simply waiting for the next burst of action. There is similar care in the faces. The character animation makes Elinor’s frustration and Merida’s impatience legible before either needs another line.

Patrick Doyle’s traditional score suits the setting and helps the adventure find a warmth that the broadest jokes cannot supply. There is pleasure in how readily the music accommodates affection and excitement. Editors Nicholas C. Smith and Robert Grahamjones keep things brisk, although speed cannot disguise the sense that the different kinds of story have been joined rather hastily. The louder comedy sometimes breaks into moments that needed a little quiet. We would have preferred another exchange between the women to another interruption.

The screenplay, credited to Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi, Mark Andrews and Steve Purcell, is less assured about what Merida’s independence might involve. It establishes her frustration clearly, then becomes too content with the familiar business of teaching everyone to understand everyone else. There is nothing wrong with that lesson, but it is smaller than the quarrel that prompted it. Elinor’s attachment to tradition needs more examination, too. The film gives her feelings weight without making an equally strong case for the rules she wants her daughter to accept.

Within family fantasy, giving this much attention to a mother and daughter is a welcome choice. Neither has to be agreeable all the time, and their difficulty with each other is recognisable enough to matter beyond the adventure. The surrounding comedy is less particular, and its volume can make the central performances seem stranded in a subtler film. Even so, the affection between these two remains convincing when they are making each other miserable.

At 93 minutes, *Brave* makes a manageable family evening. It is worth choosing for the central performances and for an animated world that has received more care than some of the jokes. The familiar lessons will not trouble everyone, though the uneven storytelling may. Parents may find themselves taking a side sooner than their children would like.

*Fi1m score 73, published 1 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards a qualified welcome for Brave, with praise clustering around its detailed animation, Scottish landscapes and mother-daughter relationship. Critics repeatedly find warmth and humour in that central bond, while Merida’s spirited personality earns approval even where the storytelling disappoints. Several reviews enjoy the mixture of family feeling, comedy and adventure, though enthusiasm for the craft is more consistent than confidence in the script.

The spread is wide, and comparisons with Pixar’s earlier films account for many reservations: familiar plotting, limited ambition and a lack of surprise recur across otherwise differing verdicts. The Wrap is among the strongest supporters, praising the balance of laughs, thrills and familial love. The Guardian takes a sharply opposing view, finding the story bland and objecting to the way Merida’s pursuit of independence brings her back into the family unit. Elsewhere, even sympathetic reviews question how fully the film develops its ideas about responsibility.

## Straight answers

**Is Brave worth watching?**

*Brave* is worth watching for families who enjoy fantasy adventures with recognisable family tensions, and we score it 73 out of 100. We find the mother-daughter quarrel and Kelly Macdonald and Emma Thompson’s performances more persuasive than the plotting, though the loud comedy too often interrupts their quieter, better exchanges.

**How long is Brave, and what is it rated?**

*Brave* runs 1h 33m. It is an adventure and animation film.

**Where can I watch Brave in Saudi Arabia?**

*Brave* is not on any streaming or rental service in Saudi Arabia at the moment. It is available in 48 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How does Brave compare to Wolfwalkers?**

*Brave* is a good choice for its mother-daughter performances, but we favour [*Wolfwalkers*](https://film.one/film/wolfwalkers) for its more distinctive visual world of hard-lined town streets and loosely drawn woodland. Both follow headstrong daughters testing parental rules in richly imagined landscapes; *Brave* has uneven plotting and intrusive comedy, while *Wolfwalkers* has a familiar story and a thin villain.

**What should I watch after Brave?**

After *Brave*, try [*Wolfwalkers*](https://film.one/film/wolfwalkers) (2020, Fi1m 84): Another headstrong daughter tests parental rules in a richly imagined landscape. Then [*My Neighbour Totoro*](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro) (1988, Fi1m 89): Family worries and woodland fantasy, handled with room for quiet and curiosity; and [*Petite maman*](https://film.one/film/petite-maman) (2021, Fi1m 88): A gentler encounter between mothers and daughters, with no need for shouting.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (3.5/4): Ebert gives the film a positive verdict. He singles out its mother-daughter relationship for praise. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/brave-2012)
- **Radio Times**, Brian Pendreigh (4/5): Pendreigh gives the film a positive verdict, calling Merida a memorable creation. He singles out her fiery personality and the film’s first female central character. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-hq7u32/brave/)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (80/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the film fast, funny, and unpretentious, praising its lively mix of farce, sentiment, and suspense. He especially singles out the comic, moving scenes between Merida and her bear-transformed mother. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2012/06/movie-review-pixar-brave.html)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (70/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film conventional by Pixar standards but moving and refreshingly versatile. He especially praises its poignant exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, brought to life through Emma Thompson’s performance and protective actions as a bear. [Read](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/brave-1117947728/)
- **Empire**, Ian Nathan (65/100, inferred): Nathan finds Brave an enthralling, visually lovely film, though less ambitious and less surprising than Pixar at its best. He praises its animation and the mother-daughter relationship, while faulting the predictable story and softened moral. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/brave-review/)
- **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (64/100, inferred): The review’s verdict is unavailable because the article text is behind a paywall. The page does not reveal what the critic praised or criticized. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/brave/5043162.article)
- **The New Yorker** (60/100, inferred): The review finds the film intermittently thrilling, though its patchwork plot only holds together well enough. It praises the plausible mother-daughter conflict and engaging side characters. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/brave-2)
- **Time Out**, Trevor Johnston (3/5): Johnston gives the film three out of five, a measured verdict. The available description places it against Pixar’s history of advances in digital animation, but the review text is unavailable to identify a specific praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/brave)
- **Total Film**, Neil Smith (3/5): Smith finds Brave entertaining and technically ambitious, but a creative misstep that leaves Pixar treading water. He praises the spirited heroine, the film’s visuals, and Patrick Doyle’s traditional score, while criticizing the magical plot twist. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/brave-1-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Richard Scott Larson (2/4): Larson finds the film a stale, shallow take on female independence and mother-daughter responsibility. He criticizes how the story silences tradition without considering why it existed. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/brave/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (35/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film visually delightful but dramatically safe and less inventive than a typical Pixar film. He especially praises the painterly rendering of Scotland and the voice performances. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/brave-film-review-335633/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (30/100, inferred): Turan finds the film visually impressive but disappointing by Pixar’s standards, citing familiar characterization and an overly broad tone. He praises its gorgeous Scottish setting and emotional ending, while criticizing the plot’s turn and prolonged bratty behavior. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-jun-22-la-et-brave-20120622-18-story.html)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (25/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film bland and unsatisfying, with little of Pixar’s usual wit or smart self-awareness. He particularly criticizes its story for binding Merida back into the family unit just as she seeks independence. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/09/brave-review)
- **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (90/100, inferred): The critic strongly recommends the film as an exhilarating adventure and hilarious comedy. They praise its mother-daughter relationship and the balance of laughs, thrills, and familial love. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/brave-review-finally-disney-princess-who-isnt-defined-prince-44636/)
- **Den of Geek**, Mark Harrison (4/5): Harrison finds Brave a return to form for Pixar, though it may not rank among the studio’s very best. He especially praises the richly detailed Scottish landscapes and the film’s mother-daughter relationship. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/brave-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (4/5): Reynolds finds Brave moving, funny and entertaining, though it lacks the distinctive storytelling and magical feel of Pixar’s earlier films. He praises the character animation, especially the bears, and singles out the short La Luna as an absolute peach. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a390387/brave-review-pixar-heads-to-the-scottish-highlands/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jamie Neish (4/5): The review is strongly positive, calling the film spectacular and praising its emotional story about a mother and daughter. It singles out the detailed animation and the film’s heartfelt core as particular strengths. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/brave-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Amber Wilkinson (75/100, inferred): Wilkinson finds the film an enjoyable, thoughtful adventure that balances broad appeal with ideas about family. She especially praises its expressive visuals and the way they convey the mother-daughter relationship. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/brave-2012-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson)
- **/Film**, Germain Lussier (7/10): The critic finds Brave entertaining and worthwhile, but says its journey is not especially compelling and it falls short of Pixar’s usual depth. They praise its gorgeous music, goosebump-inducing scenes, and funny moments. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/521567/brave-review-pixars-latest-hits-target-struggles/)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (C+): Goldberg finds Brave visually lush, humorous, and heartfelt, but ultimately timid and familiar. He praises the comic moments of Elinor trying to communicate as a bear, while criticizing the shallow mother-daughter lesson. [Read](https://collider.com/brave-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
- **Director:** Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
- **Screenplay:** Irene Mecchi, Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
- **Story:** Brenda Chapman
- **Cinematography:** Robert Anderson, Danielle Feinberg
- **Editor:** Nicholas C. Smith, Robert Grahamjones
- **Music:** Patrick Doyle
- **Production design:** Steve Pilcher
- **Producer:** Katherine Sarafian
- **Cast:** Kelly Macdonald as Merida (voice); Emma Thompson as Elinor (voice); Billy Connolly as Fergus (voice); Julie Walters as The Witch (voice); Robbie Coltrane as Lord Dingwall (voice); Kevin McKidd as Lord MacGuffin / Young MacGuffin (voice); Craig Ferguson as Lord Macintosh (voice); Peigi Barker as Young Merida (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 33m
- **First release (Australia):** 21 June 2012
- **Genres:** Adventure, Animation, Family, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $185 million
- **Box office:** $539 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKdLpBLp3nM

## Where to watch in Saudi Arabia

Not streaming, renting or buying in Saudi Arabia at the last check.

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2013: Best Animated Feature (won)
- BAFTA Film Awards 2013: BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2012: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2012: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Wolfwalkers* (2020), Fi1m 84: Another headstrong daughter tests parental rules in a richly imagined landscape. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/wolfwalkers.md)
- *Whale Rider* (2002): A girl challenges inherited rules, with more patience for those defending them.
- *My Neighbour Totoro* (1988), Fi1m 89: Family worries and woodland fantasy, handled with room for quiet and curiosity. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md)
- *Petite maman* (2021), Fi1m 88: A gentler encounter between mothers and daughters, with no need for shouting. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/petite-maman.md)
- *The Secret of Roan Inish* (1994): Folklore, family history and a landscape that deserves the camera’s patient attention.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/brave