Today’s quick review: Tangled. Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), a princess with enchanted hair, is kept locked in a tower by Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy), an old woman who kidnapped Rapunzel as a girl and raised her as her own. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Rapunzel convinces Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi), a thief who discovers her tower, to show her the outside world.
Tangled is a fairy tale adventure from Disney. An adaptation of the story of Rapunzel, Tangled blends classic fairy tale elements with an original story and a few twists of its own. Tangled features charming characters, funny dialogue, and a couple of entertaining action sequences. The movie also has a great soundtrack; though not as memorable as Disney’s best, its well-crafted musical numbers always feel worthwhile.
Tangled boasts gorgeous CGI animation and high production quality. The character models are a pleasant mix of cartoonish and realistic. The level of detail is a significant step up from Disney’s earlier CGI works, although later films like Big Hero 6 and Frozen do improve upon it. Most importantly, the animation has a sense of energy to it that makes everything from its dialogue to its music click.
Tangled deserves special mention for its characters. Rapunzel is an enthusiastic, kind-hearted young woman who fits naturally into the roles of both princess and adventurer. Flynn Rider is just enough of a rogue to be interesting without coming across as a bad person. For her part, Mother Gothel is a nearly perfect depiction of narcissism, weaving lies and half-truths around Rapunzel to keep her in the tower.
Watch Tangled if you are in the mood for a light and satisfying family adventure. Not every joke lands and not every plot twist satisfies, but Tangled brings enough quality to the table that its few missed beats barely register. Skip it if you dislike the Disney formula. For a similar film with a better soundtrack and a more unpredictable story, check out Frozen.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for great characters, impressive animation, and an effective story.