10s Movie Review - Tangled

Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Genre: Animation/ Fantasy/ Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2010
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Tambor

Description: The magically long-haired Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief (Zachary Levi) has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is.

Review: With “Tangled” Disney seemed to be going for the classic Disney story, including magic, a captured princess, a thief with a heart of gold, a castle and great songs.  
“Tangled” is based on the fairytale of Rapunzel and not exactly the textbook example of a literal fairytale adaptation. The creators have rearranged and adapted elements in such a way as o create a pleasant balance between a classic fairytale and a modern adventure, seasoned with a large dose of satire.
As a baby, Princess Rapunzel is kidnapped by an old woman and locked into a tower because of the magical effects of her hair. Growing up in captivity with extremely long hair, young Rapunzel dreams of a life fir herself. That more or less offers itself when bandit Flynn Ryder comes to hide from the authorities in her tower. Together they venture to escape, where they are hunted by the royal guard, a vengeful horse, a pair of Ryder’s former colleagues and, of course, the evil ‘mother’.
The fleshing out of the characters is refreshing. Although the princess is not as otherworldly as one might expect, her innocence and girlish enthusiasm work disarmingly. The newfound freedoms drive Rapunzel to euphoria, but meanwhile she frets like a small child over her supposed betrayal of the person for whom she harbors a somewhat bizarre maternal love. The protagonist is not the usual nasty witch either, but primarily a highly narcissistic, meddlesome mother who is blind to her less beautiful traits. Observing her obsession with eternal youthfulness, it is probably no coincidence that she resembles Cher. Flynn Ryser, who is not a prince, but a thief) delightfully counterparts Rapunzel’s neuroses, but the absolute starring role is reserved for Rapunzel’s pet Pascal: a silent chameleon with a genius facial expression.
“Tangled” is not animated in the traditional way, but uses modern computer animations. Its all beautiful, very colorful and overwhelming at times. But never impose themselves in an effort to be the best in show. Because of its satirical tone and humor, the film feels more like a Pixar film, but with the fairytale theme it is most definitely a Disney movie. And it will also be a classic one over time.

Rating: 4,5/ 5