Tangled – Review
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
Directed: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Walt Disney Animations has returned with a modern CGI re-telling of the ‘Brothers Grimm’ classic, Rapunzel. Unlike other certain remakes, (e.g. Gulliver’s Travels), Disney has managed to remain relatively faithful and true to the original fairytale, but add a sprinkle of alluring humour, a couple of songs and some great characterisation, Tangled becomes freshly enticing and magnificently entertaining.
Mandy Moore voices Rapunzel, a Princess with magical rejuvenating hair, who as a baby was stolen from her crib by an old woman desperate to stay young. After realizing that the hair loses its power when cut, Mother Gothel (Murphy) raises Rapunzel in a hidden tower deep in the woods, convincing Rapunzel that she is her mother. Forbidden to ever leave the tower, Rapunzel has grown into a beautiful teenager who longs to experience life outside her confines. The King and Queen, distraught at the loss of their child, release lanterns into the sky every year on Rapunzel’s birthday in hopes that they will somehow help bring their long-lost daughter home. Little do they know that Rapunzel has been watching them every year, and after a charming rogue happens upon her tower for refuge, she enlists his help to escape and see the lanterns close-up.
This movie is a welcome refreshment from the lack-lustre films that Disney has been churning out in recent years. Whilst it may have been created using CGI, it has also incorporated the traditional aspects we know and love Disney for, and after a production cost of almost $260million, the film does not fail to impress.
Shockingly, Tangled manages to be completely relevant and modern, whilst maintaining that classic Disney magic. The loveable rogue, Flynn Rider (Levi) is vain, selfish and arrogant, but entirely charasmatic, and the relationship between him and Rapunzel is a classic example of opposites attracting. The story isn’t overdone or predictable; the romance isn’t thrust in your face straight from the beginning and you’re left wondering if their tale will actually turn out happily-ever-after or not. Of course, this is Disney though, so expect a fair few musical numbers and supporting characters in the forms of a chameleon, Pascal, and an enforcement horse named Maximus.
Tangled is surprisingly funny, action-packed and full of witty dialogue that allows the story to remain rounded from the start. Do not be put off by the fact it’s a “Disney Princess” film; Rapunzel is not your typical naive, easily-led Disney heroine, but still captures and embodies the typical charms found in Sleeping Beauty or The Little Mermaid. Maybe not a film for everyone – the songs being ever so slightly annoying – but definitely worth a watch if only to experience some first class visuals and CGI wonders.