Brave Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of Pixar's "Brave" living up to, and at times exceeding, the high standard set by its 3D theatrical counterpart. The 1080p/AVC-encoded video delivers an astonishingly vivid depiction of Merida’s world, with meticulously rendered details that heighten the world’s realism and magic. The color palette is a mesmerizing display of dynamic reds, vibrant oranges, lush greens, and rich blues, all perfectly balanced with deep, inky blacks. Each frame bursts with lively hues and extraordinary contrasts, presenting a spectrum that is both dazzling and accurate.

The level of detail in this presentation is exceptional, from the intricate patterns of Tartans to the individual strands of Merida’s iconic hair. Her fiery locks, in particular, exhibit breathtaking clarity and natural movement, a technical marvel that underscores the sophistication of Pixar's animation techniques. The surrounding environment is equally impressive, with the rugged Scottish terrain captured in vivid detail. Every blade of grass, every leaf on the trees, and every texture in the scenery is rendered with meticulous precision.

Moreover, the dark scenes in 2D reveal an unexpected depth and detail lost in the 3D theatrical experience due to the dimming effect of the glasses. The shadow detailing is immaculate, providing a richer viewing experience that highlights the intricate minutiae often missed. The absence of digital artifacts such as macroblocking, aliasing, and noise ensures a pristine visual experience unmarred by distractions. For anyone seeking a demonstration-quality Blu-ray this holiday season, "Brave" stands out as an exemplary showcase of high-definition video excellence.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Brave" is a masterclass, featuring two lossless options - Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and 5.1 - that are nothing short of spectacular. The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track is a standout, delivering an immersive and nuanced sonic experience that swiftly establishes its prowess from the opening minutes. The subtle whispers of will-o'-the-wisps, the detailed wind rustling through trees, and the impactful sounds of Merida's footsteps are punctuated by the thunderous roar of a demon intruder and heavy battle charges. The LFE channel is robust and authoritative, injecting substantial heft and presence where required, ensuring an absorbing listening experience throughout. The rear speakers excel in creating an enveloping soundfield, whether it's the ambient noises of lush forests or the bustling atmosphere of Dun Broch castle.

The soundtrack's dynamic range is expertly managed, presenting bright, full-bodied highs and deep, resonant lows that bring action-packed scenes to life with remarkable clarity. Surround activity remains consistent and integrated, with sound smoothly transitioning between speakers. Subtle effects like birds chirping and leaves rustling juxtapose effectively against forceful accents such as slamming doors and clashing swords, presenting a soundscape that is both rich and varied. The bass frequencies are powerful yet seamlessly integrated with the overall mix, ensuring no element feels out of place.

Patrick Doyle's music score receives an exquisite treatment, highlighted by pristine fidelity and tonal depth. Delicate reed instruments emit pure notes while percussion enhances excitement without overshadowing other orchestral elements. Dialogue remains clear and well-prioritized, despite authentic Scottish accents occasionally offering a minor challenge. The pristine quality of this track is maintained throughout, devoid of any distortion, break-ups, or surface noise. Overall, Pixar has delivered a flawless and engaging audio mix that significantly enhances the viewing experience.

The extras on the "Brave" Blu-ray disc provide an engaging and comprehensive look behind the scenes of the film, making it a worthwhile addition for both casual fans and animation enthusiasts. The audio commentary offers a deep dive into the filmmaking process, with insights from the director and key creatives, touching on character development, storyline decisions, and technical challenges. The short films, "La Luna" and "The Legend of Mor'Du," add additional layers to the viewing experience, though the audio quality varies between them. An array of behind-the-scenes featurettes explores topics ranging from character design to the mathematical intricacies of animating moss. Extended scenes, promotional pieces, and additional deleted scenes enrich the viewer's understanding of the film's evolution. This robust collection of extras provides a rich tapestry of content that complements the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion by the director and key creatives.
• Pixar Short Film: La Luna: A whimsical tale about a young boy’s journey to the moon.
• Pixar Short Film: The Legend of Mor’du: Background story of Brave’s antagonist.
• Behind the Scenes: Detailed exploration of various aspects of production through eight featurettes.
• Extended Scenes: Four extended sequences with identifying pop-up icons.
• Promotional Pieces: Trailers and snippets.
• Fergus & Mor'Du: An Alternate Opening: Deleted intro showing Fergus’s battle with Mor’du.
• Fallen Warriors: Montage of cut scenes.
• Dirty Hairy People: Animation details reflecting historical authenticity.
• It is English... Sort Of: A look at Scottish slang in the film.
• Angus: Designing and animating Merida’s horse.
• The Tapestry: Significance of Merida’s family tapestry.
• Art Galleries: Collections of character designs, environment art, and more.

"Brave" represents a notable departure from traditional Disney princess tales, bringing a modern edge to a period setting with its spirited heroine, Merida. The film showcases Pixar’s signature touch in its exceptional animation, voice casting, and heartwarming, clever comedy. The Scottish princess Merida, voiced by Kelly Macdonald, stands out with her fierce independence and athletic prowess, challenging established norms within the genre. Her rebellion against arranged marriage and her struggle to change her fate by seeking help from a witch introduces chaos that transforms both her life and the kingdom's dynamics. While the narrative is simple and somewhat formulaic, the character of Merida and her complex relationship with her mother brings a fresh, relatable angle on mother-daughter bonds, akin to a "Terms of Endearment" for younger audiences.

However, "Brave" falls short of Pixar’s greatest hits like "Toy Story" or "Finding Nemo," lacking the emotional depth and sweeping scale typically associated with the studio's best works. The story remains confined to limited geographies around the castle and its surroundings, missing opportunities presented by the vast Scottish Highlands. Furthermore, with minimal conflict and a straightforward resolution, the film feels more like a direct-to-video Disney sequel rather than a full-fledged Pixar feature. Despite these shortcomings, the character interactions, vivid detailing, and enchanting wickedness deliver an engaging experience for younger audiences. Though it may not resonate as powerfully with adults, children are sure to adore its lessons on respect, honor, and familial love. Ultimately, "Brave" upholds Pixar's tradition of intelligent animation while charting new territory within the storied Disney princess legacy.

Brave delivers a visually stunning experience on Blu-ray, showcasing some of Pixar's best technical achievements. The video presentation is flawless, highlighting the intricate details and vivid colors of the Scottish Highlands. Each frame is meticulously rendered, presenting a crisp and immersive picture that sets a high benchmark for animated films. The audio quality also shines, with the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround track providing an enveloping soundstage. Dialogues, ambient sounds, and Patrick Doyle's lush score blend seamlessly, creating an auditory feast that complements the visual opulence.

Beyond the remarkable audiovisual presentation, Brave's Blu-ray release is bolstered by an extensive supplemental package. Spread across two discs, the extras include behind-the-scenes features, filmmaker commentary, and additional short films that further enrich the viewing experience. These thoughtfully curated materials offer deep insights into the film's production process, appealing to both casual viewers and animation enthusiasts alike. The combination of superior picture quality, robust sound engineering, and comprehensive extras makes this release a standout in any collection.

Regardless of how you respond to Brave -- by most every account a lesser entry in the Pixar canon that still manages to outclass most animated films on the market -- its Blu-ray release will go down as one of the best of 2012. Its video presentation is stunning, its Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround track is pitch perfect, and its supplemental package features a generous spread of extras that stretches across two Blu-ray discs. Is the film as wondrous as its BD release? Sadly no. Even so, children will be delighted with Brave's magical adventure, however slight it may be by Pixar standards.