Of course, this being a Pixar film, the 'traditional' aspects only go so far, and the studio brings the material bang up to date, giving viewers a - sadly all-too rare - animated heroine who doesn't need the love of a good man to provide a happy ending to her story. Perhaps the most surprising thing about Brave is that it sees Pixar moving into more traditional 'Disney Princess' territory. Refusing to do as she is asked, Merida sets out on a course of action that could ultimately rip her family apart. Set in a mythic version of Scotland, the story focuses on Merida, the feisty daughter of a Highland king, who is mortified when she learns that her parents plan to marry her off to cement peace with the neighbouring clans. So, while Brave might not be as good as, say, Toy Story or Ratatouille, it's a smart, witty and exciting tale that is streets ahead of pretty much anything that the animation house's rivals have ever cooked up.

Pixar has set the bar so high with some of its earlier animations that very few films will ever measure up. To say that Pixar's latest film Brave doesn't quite reach the same heights as the studio's best films is to do it a disservice. CG animation powerhouse Pixar tackles traditional Disney fare with its latest 3D blockbuster

Brave merida 3d model