The folks at Pixar may have broken their stride with "Cars 2" last year, but they've left that misstep far behind with "Brave." This Disney-style princess adventure, set in ancient Scotland, easily matches the polish and style Pixar is known for. However, its most noteworthy bar-raiser is its new take of the notion of fairy tale happiness.

"Brave" is about Merida, a spunky princess determined to change her fate and avoid being trapped by her kingdom's customs. In the process, she inadvertently causes the entire kingdom to fall into disarray and must use her bow and her bravery to put things right.

Much of the conflict arises out of Merida's mother and her insistence that Merida behave as a proper princess, complete with decorum, etiquette and obedience. Merida's struggle for independence and her mother's desire to honor tradition drive the movie's action. More than just a plot, though, this storyline is unique for Disney Pixar.

Disney princesses tend to be motivated by some incarnation of Prince Charming. Merida, on the other hand, seeks her "Happily Ever After" solo, with no love interest – or even a boy "friend" – in sight. It's an understated feminist theme, but it's presented with enough neutrality that it could easily resonate with all kids in the audience.

As expected, "Brave" delivers a sleek, streamlined production characteristic of the Pixar brand. The voice cast harnesses quality Scottish names (including Billy Connolly, Kelly McDonald and Craig Ferguson), plus other stellar across-the-pond talent like Emma Thompson. The performances are equal parts heartwarming and comical, and succeed in engaging an all-ages audience.

"Brave" is a charming, kid-friendly epic. It doesn't employ the adult inside jokes Pixar has a habit of including for parents, but it's entertaining enough that grownups won't mind. Add the pre-movie short – the Oscar-nominated "La Luna" – and the extra post-credits scene, and "Brave" makes for a solid family movie experience.