'Brave' nets Pixar its seventh best animated feature Oscar
Pixar's dominance in the young category continued, while "Life of Pi" earned the coveted Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Although it didn't earn the critical acclaim of "Toy Story 3," "Up," or "Ratatouille," Pixar's 2012 film "Brave" joined those three hits, as well as three other Pixar predecessors, in winning the Oscar for best animated feature.
Beating out fellow nominees "Wreck-it Ralph," "Frankenweenie," "ParaNorman," and "The Pirates! Band of Misfits," "Brave" became the seventh Pixar film to nab the Oscar since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences began awarding the honor in 2002. No other studio has won as often.
"Brave" followed the story of Princess Merida, the rebellious daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, who desperately wants to seek out her own path in life. An expert archer, Merida flouts a cherished custom, and chaos befalls the kingdom. In order to defeat the curse, she must be brave and utilize her archery skills.
Visual Effects
The other major technical Oscar, for best visual effects, went to "Life of Pi." Beating out nominated competition from "The Hobbit," "Marvel's The Avengers," "Snow White and the Huntsman," and "Prometheus," "Life of Pi" featured visual effects from the studio Rhythm & Hues. Unfortunately, reported The Independent, the visual effects company declared bankruptcy just a few days ago.
"Life of Pi" also scored three other Oscars, including best director, for Ang Lee, and cinematography, for Claudio Miranda.