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Review: Disney Lets Hair Down With 'Tangled'
Contemporary Retelling Of Rapunzel Is Classic
UPDATED: 6:09 am CST November 24, 2010
"Rapunzel" (PG)
(out of four)Modern Disney princesses have grown from being docile femme fatales waiting for their princes to come into 21st century women who can make their own way. Case in point: "Tangled's" Rapunzel, a soon-to-turn-18-year-old with 70 feet of hair that can wrangle its way through any treacherous terrain.In Disney's retelling of the classic story of "Rapunzel," a baby princess with golden hair that holds the fountain of youth is stolen from her parents by an evil witchlike woman named Mother Gothel (voiced by Donna Murphy). The woman raises the girl and pretends to be her mother. So as to not be discovered, Gothel locks Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) in a tower, keeping her hidden away by telling her that the outside world is dark and scary. Yet as Rapunzel birthday approaches, she dreams of a chance to see what's beyond her ivory tower, especially thousands of lanterns up close that magically appear in the sky each year.The "prince" in this story is actually a thief named Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi) who is the Most Wanted Man in the kingdom. Although there are many who want to capture him, there is one rival that never gives up the hunt: a horse with a West Point attitude named Maximus will do anything to return the bad guy to the king and queen.When Flynn finds the tower, he sees it as a hideout from Maximus and a legion of people who are after him. Little does he know that someone is living inside the tower. After a few rounds of distrust (Rapunzel finds that a metal frying pan is a handy weapon) the two realize that they may be able to help each other, and they embark on an adventure.Comedic moments are rich in this film, as are plenty of action-packed scenes. The kiddie-set will stay entertained throughout except for a few sappy moments when things slow down. Musical numbers keep up the pace and rather than appear out of nowhere, seamlessly find a proper fit."Shrek"-like in its comedy with the musical heart of "Beauty and the Beast," the film is more Broadway stage than animated feature. Perhaps Disney has realized that the cart can come before the horse and decided this time to make a movie that could easily transfer to Broadway rather than retooling it before it could hit the Great White Way. "Tangled" is, in fact, Broadway-in-a-box ready.Whatever the outcome, "Tangled" hits high notes. Hats off (and wigs off?) to Disney for taking risks and not churning out another typical princess story.
(out of four)Modern Disney princesses have grown from being docile femme fatales waiting for their princes to come into 21st century women who can make their own way. Case in point: "Tangled's" Rapunzel, a soon-to-turn-18-year-old with 70 feet of hair that can wrangle its way through any treacherous terrain.In Disney's retelling of the classic story of "Rapunzel," a baby princess with golden hair that holds the fountain of youth is stolen from her parents by an evil witchlike woman named Mother Gothel (voiced by Donna Murphy). The woman raises the girl and pretends to be her mother. So as to not be discovered, Gothel locks Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) in a tower, keeping her hidden away by telling her that the outside world is dark and scary. Yet as Rapunzel birthday approaches, she dreams of a chance to see what's beyond her ivory tower, especially thousands of lanterns up close that magically appear in the sky each year.The "prince" in this story is actually a thief named Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi) who is the Most Wanted Man in the kingdom. Although there are many who want to capture him, there is one rival that never gives up the hunt: a horse with a West Point attitude named Maximus will do anything to return the bad guy to the king and queen.When Flynn finds the tower, he sees it as a hideout from Maximus and a legion of people who are after him. Little does he know that someone is living inside the tower. After a few rounds of distrust (Rapunzel finds that a metal frying pan is a handy weapon) the two realize that they may be able to help each other, and they embark on an adventure.Comedic moments are rich in this film, as are plenty of action-packed scenes. The kiddie-set will stay entertained throughout except for a few sappy moments when things slow down. Musical numbers keep up the pace and rather than appear out of nowhere, seamlessly find a proper fit."Shrek"-like in its comedy with the musical heart of "Beauty and the Beast," the film is more Broadway stage than animated feature. Perhaps Disney has realized that the cart can come before the horse and decided this time to make a movie that could easily transfer to Broadway rather than retooling it before it could hit the Great White Way. "Tangled" is, in fact, Broadway-in-a-box ready.Whatever the outcome, "Tangled" hits high notes. Hats off (and wigs off?) to Disney for taking risks and not churning out another typical princess story.
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