Brave (2012)

Pixar’s Plucky Princess

Now that the novelty of animated mega-busters has worn off, animation studios are having to find new ways to charm audiences back into the cinemas. Without remaking a classic family hit (like Toy Story or Monsters Inc), they seem to be on nervous ground when it comes to a new adventure. However, Brave is a beautifully crafted, brilliantly formed movie that recaptures the essence of animated films, and brings a much needed sense of vitality.

Set in the sprightly highlands of Scotland, a royal family looses their land to chaos when their princess daughter decides to throw tradition into the wind by not marrying a suitor of their choosing. Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) is a feisty tomboy with flaming red hair, who would rather be out shooting a bow and arrow, than acting princess-like. However, after spurning her family and running off into the forest, she encounters a witch who grants Merida wish - which turns out to be a curse.

Brave’s charm lies in its authentic take on this picturesque, Scottish landscape, with sweeping coverage of the rolling hills, and the rousing music adding depth to the storyline. Voices are from genuine Scots (no Shrek’s here), and seem to have a genuine chemistry during the film. Macdonald is joined by the likes of Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, and Robbie Coltraine, all of whom deliver great enthusiasm to their eclectic characters.

Up there with the best of Pixar’s productions, Brave is a wonderful addition to the animated success stories.

The Raid (2012)

Snap, Crackle, and Pop

Pegged as one of the best action movies in decades, The Raid is an intensely gripping hand-to-hand combat film with teeth-clenching fight scenes and an unrelenting stamina.

The plot is brilliantly simple - a SWAT team enter a multi-storey tenement building, which is the base for a dangerous crime lord, in an attempt to bring him down. Once inside though, the cops are ambushed by the hordes of criminals who inhabit the building, and find themselves in a war zone as they attempt to continue their mission/get out alive.

Fans of action movies need to see this film to see what kind of calibre is still being made. Yes, the film is in Indonesian (with English subtitles), but this only adds gravitas to the effect. The choreography is out of this world, seamlessly moving between struggles between cops and baddies without the usual endless cuts, and the brutal nature of the fighting will unnerve even the most seasoned action aficionado.

Character development is only briefly hinted at, which, instead of leaving the film feeling shallow, gives the atmosphere fear a more deadly effect.

As far as world cinema goes, this is an outstanding achievement. A film that manages not only to survive amongst the already brimming genre, but raises the standard across the board.

The Labyrinth (1986)

Who knew Bowie could be so evil?

A true eighties fantasy, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly about a magical world of Goblins, mazes, and some eerie crystal balls.

Fifteen-year-old Sarah (Connelly) finds herself thrown into an extraordinary and perilous world after wishing her baby brother away, when he won’t stop crying. Cast into the world of the Goblins, she must find a way through the evil king’s labyrinth within thirteen hours, otherwise her baby brother will be turned into a Goblin himself.

A children’s film at heart, there is a nostalgic quality to a film like this that will appeal to viewers of all ages. The effort that went into to building these epic sets, and the wondrous make-up effects used on all the different inhabitants of this world, is astounding, and the result still holds up today.

Of course, there are the inevitable elements of the film which have not dated so well - such as Bowie breaking into song, or the clumsy narrative which becomes tiring as the movie progresses. But, overall, these factors can easily be looked over if you get yourself into the spirit of this fantastical storytelling, and just enjoy the pure imagination on show.

For the child within, who never gave up believing.

Friends With Kids (2011)

Friends without benefits

From the makers of Bridesmaids (2011), comes this Rom-Com about two friends who decide to raise a child together - without any of the romantic complications.

Jennifer Westfeldt and Adam Scott play Julie and Jason, two BFFs, whose search for the right partner has yielded little so far in their lives. Having both decided they want kids, at some point in their life, and tired of watching all of their coupled friends fawn over their offspring, the two thirty-something urban professionals, decide to have one together, and have joint custody whilst they both search for their perfect partner. Sound strange?

What ensues is a slightly predictable, yet emotionally charged story about two people finding what they want in life. Padded with the differing experiences of the couples around them: from the married pair who are always moaning but love their kids dearly, to the couple who used to enjoy a fully active sex life, and now seem to have nothing to say to each other.

Despite a somewhat flimsy foundation, Friends With Kids benefits from a great cast of funny people, who swarm around plenty of adulthood-related topics with sharp tongues and a proclivity to embarrass themselves (such as Scott being literally rained upon with his son’s faeces).