By Haile Lidow
Staff Writer
Disney steps outside of its usual demographic in the new film “Tangled,” which appeals to all ages without abandoning the “happily ever after” that Disney is known for.
Based off of the classic fairy tale “Rapunzel,” by the Brothers Grimm, “Tangled” embraces a more action-oriented princess hero with a musical twist. Rapunzel, voiced by Mandy Moore, is a princess who was abducted as a baby and raised as a prisoner in a tall tower by the evil Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy). Gothel refuses to let Rapunzel step out into the outside world, for her magic hair keeps Mother from aging.
One day, when Mother Gothel is away, Rapunzel finds herself very frightened when a visitor comes through her tower window. The unexpected guest turns out to be Flinn Rider (Zachary Levi), a charming bandit in the midst of running from the authorities after a large job. Rapunzel and Rider begin as two people merely using each other for their own incentives, but begin to view each other differently as the plot progresses. Mutually dependent on one another, the two embark on an adventure to see the famous annual flying lanterns at the kingdom.
“Tangled” is a hysterical portrayal of the classic fairy tale. The repartee between Rapunzel and Rider is quite clever and witty, and the chemistry between them gives the predictable plot believability and edge.
The characters are all lively and strong in personality, breaking through the animation with emotion and song. Mother Gothel practically steals the show with her manipulative nature and incredible ability to rationalize her tyrannical behavior. She is also given one of the lead musical numbers, which she brings to life with an eerie tone that fits her character perfectly.
The expert animation only adds to the film, giving the plot a magical atmosphere while still remaining simple enough for the characters to shine with their personalities. It stays true to a more classic style of Disney animation, but with a fluidity of form that can only be attributed to modern technology.
The witty dialogue, entertaining music and fantastic 3D technology of “Tangled,” make it some of Disney’s best work to date.
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