Tangled

Disney is one of the smartest marketing companies in the business. From the very beginning when they released a full-length animated film, after its initial run, they would lock it away in their vault, and after a time, roll it out again for a whole new generation. This strategy has allowed them to profit greatly by re-releasing the same film over and over. The downside of this plan is that remakes are out of the question. Unlike some of Disney’s live action films which have been remade with contemporary spins, the animated films are considered classics and un-touchable. This brings on a new problem; Disney is running out of fairytales.

The story of Rapunzel has been in the development stage for a very long time. Disney has been trying to figure out a way to take a story about kidnapping and bondage and make it lighter and family friendly. After bringing in writer Dan Fogelman (Cars) and directors Nathan Greno (1st feature) and Byron Howard (Bolt) they finally cracked the code and I’m happy to say that the final product is delightful.

What I enjoyed the most about Tangled is that Disney created a character called Flynn Rider who is a brash, adrenalin-junkie thief. He considers himself quite handsome and dashing so he is disappointed when his charms do not work on Rapunzel. Rapunzel, instead of being a shy, wistful, someday my prince will come type of gal is bright, cheerful, and imaginative. Instead of brooding in her tower of imprisonment, she has been told that she is there for her protection. She is supplied with toys, games, paints, and even has an animal companion. She can do anything she wants except leave. Her tower is far from a dark and gloomy prison, rather it is play land for her imagination.

Rapunzel’s keeper, who she only knows as mother, is holding her prisoner for the magic powers of her hair. When Mother Gothel, Donna Murphy (Spiderman 2) brushes Rapunzel’s hair she receives great healing power and the gift of youth. This is why Mother Gothel kidnapped the princess and stole her from the king and queen. She knew the secret of the infant's tresses and wanted to remain young forever.

Mandy Moore (The Princess Diaries) gives Rapunzel a lot of verve and Zachary Levi (Chuck) gives Flynn the demeanor of a charming rogue. The back and forth banter between them is refreshing and cute, not unlike a live action romantic comedy. Rapunzel isn’t interested in his sex appeal; she just needs a guide to the outside world. She gets the upper hand on him and makes him promise to escort her to see the lights and get her back home before her mother returns. Every year on her birthday Rapunzel has seen strange lights in the sky and wants to know where they come form. She feels a connection with these lights, like they are meant for her and she wants more than anything to see them up close. But her mother has filled her head with horror stories about the outside world. There are monsters, villains and men with sharp teeth. They want to take her and steal her magic hair. That is why she is only safe in the tower. Rapunzel could never survive out in the real world, she is only safe here with her mum.

Like any teenager, Rapunzel begins to question the rules and restrictions that have been placed on her since birth. She runs away with Flynn and has a series of harrowing adventures. The world is indeed dangerous, but Rapunzel discovers her own cunning and resourcefulness. She is invigorated by her newfound freedom and is reveling in it all. She is however in real danger, especially after Mother Gothel discovers she is gone. Rapunzel and Flynn must stick together in order to survive the perils that now face them. Flynn is, after all, a wanted man. They are clearly operating outside of the law.

Even though I loved the banter between our two leads, one of the most hilarious characters in the film never utters a single word. He is a horse named Maximus and he is bound and determined to track down the outlaw Flynn. Maximus is the funniest creature that Disney has created in a long time. His animation is brilliant and his gags are clever and full of wit. He steals every scene he is in and had me laughing throughout the entire film. Rapunzel’s chameleon friend is also fun but a little more predictable. What made the horse so successful was his un-horse like behavior. He was extraordinary because he was surprising.

Disney makes a fortune marketing their princesses and so they weren’t going to release Rapunzel until they got everything just right. After the wait, Rapunzel makes a fine addiction to the princess club and I like that she is shown as strong and resourceful right from the beginning. She is never perceived as a victim, just someone who was fooled and duped. And by adding Flynn and Mother Gothel, this film really works. I think Disney has done an excellent job.

Rating: First Run Rapunzel lets down her hair