Thoroughly enjoyed Toy Story 3, so I guess all is not lost. Just finished Brave. To me the big difference is pacing. Allow the story toFlow natural, and from this organic process comes humor and depth. When scenes are rushed there's no chance for emotional connection. Aside from this I'm not sure what the message of Brave was. Almost every Pixar to this point has been nominated, critically acclaimed or awarded. Pixar has been able to find commonality and universal beliefs in an increasingly splintered society. Perhaps Brave delved too far off the grid of anything recognizable? Even so, Girl Power might have hit the bulls eye if it only slowed down a bit.