Co-written and directed by Jonathan English, Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2014) is the action-fueled sequel to his 2011 film, Ironclad. The story takes place in 1220, five years after the siege at Rochester Castle… without protection from the crown, nobles are forced to hire fighters to fend off raids by warring Scottish clans. One bloody scene after another unfolds, as a family battles to protect their castle. The costumes and set designs are well-thought and reflect medieval style and materials. The cinematography, however, is terrible. Shaky, "handheld" style shots are distracting, adding nothing to the period atmosphere and the lighting is bland throughout. The cast of relative unknowns does a good job with the script, including Roxanne McKee, Michelle Fairley, Danny Webb and Tom Austen. Watch the first film a second time instead of viewing this one.
Produced by Pixar Studios, and directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, Brave (2012) offered a 3-D animated look to the setting of medieval Scotland. Set in the Scottish Highlands, the story centers on a young red-haired princess named Merida, who defies an age old custom and refuses to be betrothed… causing a magical spell to transform her mother and creating chaos within the kingdom. The castle sets and characters are superbly rendered, a remarkable achievement, adding a historical flare to the film. The voice cast does a great job, including Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connelly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson.
