Disney-Pixar's Brave "on a par with Finding Nemo" say US critics Brave, which is set in the Scottish Highlands and tells the story of a hot-tempered Celtic princess called Merida, has been previewed in America, where critics applauded its "poignant tribute to mother-daughter relationships." Variety, the entertainment industry's periodical of choice, praised Disney-Pixar for creating "a more self-reliant heroine for an era in which princes aren't so charming' and said that the film 'packs a level of poignancy on a par with such beloved male-bonding classics as 'Finding Nemo'. "This will present us with an immense opportunity when Scotland will be centre stage in the film with all the tourism and business opportunities this will bring," he said. I fully expect that as the film launches across the world, so will awareness of Scotland increase. Salmond has called the film "the most high-profile film ever set in, and themed around, Scotland, featuring Scottish stars." Brave is set for cinematic release in the UK on August 17 and stars Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Kelly Macdonald and Julie Walters.