Movie Review: Pixar's Brave (2012)

Pixar has set the bar so high for computer animated features that judgment against them is particularly strict. This works against Brave, which is unfortunately a grandly mediocre accomplishment. For any other studio, it might have been enough to be cute and adventuresome, but for Pixar, audiences will demand emotional attachment, resourcefully funny humor, dramatic poignancy, and character development that begets unforgettable personas. Brave just doesn't bring any of that to the table, instead being palatable and pleasant but never groundbreaking or awe-inspiring. It's hopelessly average - made almost unforgivable because of the quirky, bounding desk lamp that has become known in the industry as a proclaimer of animated masterpieces.

"A princess strives for perfection," insists Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), a proper, respected leader trying desperately to curb her impetuous daughter's mindset. But defiant young princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) wants nothing to do with the games of competition that will decide her suitor from the three neighboring clans of Scottish warriors. Betrothal and a planned life couldn't be more unattractive to the orange-haired youth who wants to journey into the forest for adventure and archery practice. While King Fergus (Billy Connolly) entertains the visiting lords and their sons, Merida sneaks out and stumbles into the secluded cottage of an old wood carver who offers to conjure a spell that will forever change the queen's stance on marriage.

As with the trailers for Up, Brave wisely gives nothing away with the brief, comedic, introductory television spots. But magic, destiny, fate, legends, the breaking of traditions, and the pursuit of freedoms are all involved in the fast-paced world of ancient Scotland. There is also no less than three montages governed by singing; an element generally absent from the stirring orchestral compositions found in Pixar's more mature ventures. The stereotypical portrayal of Scottish culture feels reminiscent of How to Train Your Dragon's Viking inhabitants, which is to say that the visuals of clothing, sets, and character designs are largely unoriginal. The typical rebellious teen provides laughs, but again creates a sense of the film struggling to relate to audiences. A role reversal of mother and daughter caring for one another is mildly amusing but also derivative of the frequent theme of prematurely being forced into responsibility and action, found in countless other animations.

Although commonly taken for granted, the water effects are spectacular, as are various elemental inventions. Anymore, scrutiny seems pulled in directions other than the stunning imagery that takes innumerable hours and plenty of talent to construct and animate. Alas, the lack of an involving plot negates the splendor of lighting, cinematography, smoke-like wisps, or even Merida's hair, an impressively buoyant, spongy, carrot-colored mass that is seemingly a character of its own. Comic mischief, silly rudeness, a PG-worthy intensity, and occasionally mirthful dialogue similarly get lost in the resoundingly contrived cure for the curse, complete disregard for closure with the witch, and ignorance to the resolution of Merida's three brothers' plight (which is unexplained despite a more than trivial involvement). Brave is frustratingly trifling.

- The Massie Twins (GoneWithTheTwins.com) Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.

Music Soundtracks Are Essential to the Best Film Experience

Films are considered a mainly visual experience, and many people don't stop to consider just how important music is in movies. Audiences don't just watch; they also take in auditory stimuli. During the time of silent films, music was an essential part of telling the story, and live pianists were employed by theaters to accompany the visual feast. Characters were shaped and events foreshadowed using music to convey thought and emotion.

Chances are that if the music soundtrack were removed from a film, the omission would quickly be noticed. The movie would not be as enjoyable, and it would feel like something was missing. Music adds to the perception of things unseen. It has the power to alter mood and to change it, if needed. An epic score makes the sword fights more exciting, or increases the impact of a death.

Modern films often seem to lack the brilliant scores that were the norm during the Golden Age of Hollywood, when "Gone with the Wind" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" were hits. The 1970s and 1980s also had some of the most memorable original soundtracks, with classics such as John Williams' work on "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Imagine no "Star Wars Theme," if you can. Darth Vader will always be tied to "The Imperial March." Indiana Jones will always have his "Raiders March." Williams also gave magic to the world of Harry Potter, giving a sense of whimsy when appropriate, or of dire consequence such as that conveyed during the sad aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts.

Effective music does not always have to be an original score. The best examples are two films directed by Robert Zemeckis: "Back to the Future" and "Forest Gump." Each of these films deals with time travel and historical accounts.

Music from the times adds to the experience for the viewers, taking them along with the characters and their worlds. "American Psycho" uses music in such a manner to convey that the protagonist is mentally unstable and also to set the mood of 1987. The character of Patrick Bateman analyzes pop lyrics much like he does other matters, which reveals him as a psychopath with violent tendencies. His analysis of Phil Collins' "Sussudio" and Huey Lewis and the News' "Hip to be Square," among other songs, is all about who Bateman is.

One film is credited for bringing quality film soundtracks back to the masses. Hans Zimmer arranged the score for Ridley Scott's "Gladiator." It is not considered his best work, with only the haunting yet hopeful song "Elysium" as a standout, but sales of the soundtrack make it one of the most popular. Zimmer also brought the tremendous sounds to " Inception." Without such an ambitious soundtrack, the fantastical dream sequences in the movie would not have had the same impact. The pounding staccato beats that reach a boisterous crescendo of low brass and horns added magnitude to important sequences.

These days, there are few television shows in Hollywood that use live, full orchestras and scored themes. However, to hear an original soundtrack is a treat for the ears and mind. The science fiction drama "Fringe" is one of these, with music composed by Michael Giacchino and Chris Tilton. Each major character has his or her own individual theme, and there is even a couple's theme. Every episode has some original cues or variations on existing themes. Often described as a family drama masquerading as science fiction, the show is full of a range of human emotions. It would not be half of what it is without the perfect musical accompaniment.

In addition, the show makes excellent use of existing songs. One of the most emotional moments in the series places one of the main characters-Walter Bishop (John Noble)-in an old, abandoned taxi cab. His world is upside down, his family in despair, and there seems to be little hope left in a dystopian future. He takes an old mix CD and plays it. Yazoo's "Only You" comes on, and as he listens tearfully, he sees a lone dandelion emerging from the cracks of a sidewalk. As a result of the music, this beautiful scene conveys so much hope and emotion.

The importance of music is constantly referred to in the show. As Walter says, it helps him to shift perspective and to see things differently. This is true of any film audience, and it nicely sums up the importance of a music soundtrack. Providing useful articles, reviews and writings on movies and films online.

The Story Behind Bollywood

With a world population of 182 million speakers of Hindi and a thriving cultural industry, we investigate the story behind Bollywood in translation - the focal point of traditional India cinema enjoyed the world over. However, there are lots of misconceptions about this worldwide phenomenon. Although it is commonly interpreted as a wide spanning term for Indian cinema, it is actually a smaller part of it. Bollywood is only part of the Indian film industry, which produces films in regional language. Known formally as Hindi cinema, it also has an increasingly common feature of incorporating Indian English in songs and dialogue (Hinglish in translation).

So where did the word come from? It's a portmanteau of Bombay (former name of Mumbai) and the multimillion-dollar film industry of Hollywood. However, the similarity ends here as it's not an actual physical place, although it does reside in pride of place in the Oxford English Dictionary. The name has also been contested over its original coinage - from the scholar Amit Kannar to journalist Bevinda Collaco.

The story behind Indian cinema began with the screening of six silent films at the Watson Hotel in Bombay from the Lumiere Brothers. Having watched a screening in 1910, Dadasaheb Phalke decided to make his own screening, with the silent film Raja Harishchanda in 1913.

To reflect the times socially, culturally and historically, Indian cinema and Bollywood cinema underwent many trends in subject matter. During the 30s and 40s alongside social upheavals and the partitioning of India, more lighthearted subjects came from a wave of directors who used this political backdrop and freedom movement to flavour their scripts, dissecting many various issues and bringing them to life.

Following the 1940s and 50s, the independence of India heralded the Golden Age of Hindi cinema. These covered a wide range of issues, including social themes dealing with urban life in the famous films of critical acclaim such as the Raj Kapoor films Awaara and Shree 420. Black and white films were still prevalent until the 1960s, although the 1950s heralded in the new age of colour films. The plots now gravitated to romance and dramatic themes with famous actors such as Raj Kapoor and Meena Kumari and then eventually action.

So here is a snapshot of the famous industry, with now such famous stars as Rani Mukeraji and Aishwarya Rai. Hopefully we've helped to shed some more light in translation of Bollywood and the influence it has had over history!

Read up on Hindi interpreting services for more information on the relationship between English and Hindi. Providing articles, reviews and writings on movies online.