Just got back from watching “Tangled”, Disney’s 50th animated film. The film is a re-telling of the classic fairytale Rapunzel in glorious computer animation.
I was sceptical going into this film, I was worried that it would be schmaltzy and overly sweet which, with the exception of the Disney/Pixar films, is kind of a trademark of Disney animated fair. I was wrong, “Tangled’ is an utterly charming and funny film and I understand why it has been so successful at the box office.
The story is a classic one, a princess with magic hair that can heal and reverse ageing is kidnapped as a baby and raised by a wicked old hag in secret tower so she can use the hair to keep herself young. Rapunzel dreams of leaving the tower and on her 18th birthday meets a young rogue who stumbles into her tower. With the help of the rogue she leaves her imprisonment and her adventure and new life begins.
Under the watchful eye of producer John Lasseter (head of Pixar) “Tangled” is all handled with a liberal dose of humour and great characters. Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) is cute as a button, the rogue Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi) brings the charm and the evil Mother Gothel (voiced by Donna Murphy) is oozing in menace. But the film’s highlight is the horse Maximus, this is an inspired comic character.
“Tangled” is glorious in digital 3D but will be enjoyed just as much when it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray because it doesn’t use the 3D as a gimmick, it just is. The story, characters and humour are the boss here. This film will be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. Highly recommended viewing.
Originally published on My Year with Movies
