Movie Review - Tangled

by Alex Popp

It takes two to tangle.

(I made that one up)



I'm sure we all know the story of Rapunzel, but you don't need to to enjoy the outrageously hilarious "Tangled," Disney Animation's 50th film (not including Pixar films and other non-canon titles) and the most expensive animated movie of all.

After receiving the healing powers from a magical flower, the baby Princess Rapunzel is kidnapped from the palace in the middle of the night by Mother Gothel. Mother Gothel knows that the flower's magical powers are now growing within the golden hair of Rapunzel, and to stay young, she must lock Rapunzel in her hidden tower. Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore from "A Walk to Remember") is now a teenager and her hair has grown to a length of 70-feet. The beautiful Rapunzel has been in the tower her entire life, and she is curious of the outside world. One day, the bandit Flynn Ryder, voiced by Zachary Levi, scales the tower and is taken captive by Rapunzel. Rapunzel strikes a deal with the charming thief to act as her guide to travel to the place where the floating lights come from that she has seen every year on her birthday.



It may sound like just another Disney princess movie, but it really goes beyond that with its constant knee-slapping humor in an excellent original screenplay and dazzling animation similar to that of "Bolt." Most of the songs are catchy and fun, including the comical "I've Got a Dream" and the Oscar-nominated "I See the Light." And the characters are so likeable that I don't see how anyone could not enjoy the movie.

Rated PG for some violence that may be too much for very young kids (someone gets stabbed with a knife off-screen).

The only thing with "Tangled" is at the beginning and end when Flynn narrates. He talks like the viewers know nothing ("The queen became sick. And that's usually when people start looking for a cure.") It's not very much like him and just feels a bit out of place. Still, "Tangled" deserves three and a half stars (out of 4), and is in some rivalry with "Toy Story 3" and "Despicable Me" for the best animated film of 2010.

Review by Alex Popp for The Animation Empire blog.


==================

Emperor here. I agree with Alex except for "Despicable Me." I wanted Despicable Me to be good, but it was shallow and just pandered to the kids with the minions. That's good (they know their audience), but it's no The Incredibles, and it shouldn't be compared to Tangled or Toy Story 3 (in my opinion).

Enjoy!