Tangled Review

Disney’s new fairy tale film, “Tangled,” directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard will have the audience laughing the entire length of Rapunzel’s hair. The film is amusing, witty, fun, and great for kids and adults.

Disney puts a new twist on the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm by adding classic humor with frying pans, adventure, and an energetic soundtrack. The original plot of Rapunzel’s father stealing turnips from a witch’s garden then punished by giving up his unborn child for his thievery has changed a bit. Instead Rapunzel is stolen as an infant and her hair has magical powers besides being without split ends.

This tail is told through the narration of the kingdom’s most wanted and of course most handsome bandit, Flynn Rider (voice by Zachary Levi). Flynn is once again running from the law, which has him stumbling upon Rapunzel’s (voice by Mandy Moore) tower. This encounter allows a whole new type of friendship, besides the one she has with her pet lizard. This is the first time meeting someone from the outside world and allows a new chapter in her life, getting away from “mother dearest.”

The characters are quite loveable. Rapunzel is sweet and caring, but packed with spirit. Flynn was nothing close to a prince charming. He had more of a cocky attitude but subtle gentleness that is revealed throughout the film. The characters were fun, and easily relatable.

Every viewer (well, every viewer not in elementary school) could relate to Rapunzel’s dichotomy of obeying her mother’s wishes, and experiencing the world for oneself. This emotionally torn state gave Rapunzel a sense of tangibility that the audience could relate to.

The animation is outstanding. The details that went into this were endless, down to the continuity of Rapunzel’s freckles. What was most interesting was that though Rapunzel, one of the oldest of Disney’s princesses, looked and acted younger than 18. Rapunzel, though drawn to be beautiful did not have a certain sex appeal that other princesses have been bestowed. The lack of sex appeal made her character more believable as being naïve to the outside world and matched her adventurous character.

Flynn looks the most mature out of the “charming” Disney males. For starters, Flynn is the first with facial hair, giving him a more rugged real look.

Of course the classic over sized eyes were still a pronounced feature in these characters, but the importance of detail, including in the background of scenes were beautiful. The detail that went into the golden hair was notable; the viewer can tell each individual strand was accounted for. Even the teeth stood out, probably because in animation’s past, teeth were not a main detail. The lines between each tooth were drawn, including a gum line.

Disney has been breaking away from its traditions, and not just including the drawing aspect. The latest fairy tales, including “The Frog Princess,” has had more unique happy endings. It gives a new perception to Disney, and a deeper look to the heroines and heroes.

In “Tangled" it has the underlining moral of vanity being a curse as well as to not judge a book by its cover. Cliché morals, but Disney gives it a modern twist with a magical style. The audience can also view the film as a lesson to adults to give a child room while growing up, to let them have their own sense of explorations.

Though this version of Rapunzel is different from its origin, Greno and Byron do sneak in a few aspects from the original text that some viewers caught on to.

The only downfall to the film is the soundtrack. Though the soundtrack is fun and energetic, it was not like the preceding Disney musicals. There was no number that was catchy enough that a viewer could remember when leaving the theater. The music flowed in sync with the spirited characters, but the tunes were more of breakaway pop hits. Though the music did not deter from the film’s mood and story line, it was a certain piece missed.

Overall the film deserves an A-. It was definitely worth seeing again, and buying: even splurging for a blu-ray disc. The movie also has parts that would be great to see again to notice before the ending occurs.