Disney's Tangled Review

 

Title: Tangled 3D

Length: About 100 minutes

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Based on the fairy tale: Rapunzel. I wondered how can Disney re-work with such a lame story without totally re-changing the entire plot.  And you know what?  Disney did it again.  Rapunzel was a fun watch, either in 2D or 3D.  

Rapunzel was stolen from her parents as a baby by an evil witch.  The witch raised Rapunzel as her own because Rapunzel had a special gift: a gift to heal anything and the power to reverse aging.  On her 18th birthday, Rapunzel wanted to see the "lights" that always appeared on her birthday.  The witch refuses to allow her to leave the tower and forbids her from ever mentioning it again.  In steps Flynn Rider.  Fleeing his pursuers, the thief climbs up Rapunzel's tower, only to get himself beaten up by the heroine herself and her pet chameleon.  And so, their partnership to free Rapunzel had begun.

First, the music.  Some people may enjoy it.  But this was blah.  The music was very low key and not very memorable.  I can't even remember a single line of any of them.  The rousing number performed at the "Snuggling Duckling" was probably the best song.  And "Mother Knows Best" sung by the witch was pretty amazing.  But for the most part.  It felt like they had to sing because they had to sing because it's a Disney movie.  From older Disney movies, it felt natural that they segue into song.  In Tangled, if they hadn't sang any songs, it would still would be the same.  Second, the characters.  I like Rapunzel.  In a way, I can relate to her.  I'm kind of naive and afraid to go into the world.  Despite being locked up from society for her entire life, she was an accomplished young lady.  Rapunzel cooked, well read, artist and sings.  She was cute and charming and always wanting to learn more but not ever wanting to make her "mother" sad.  Flynn wasn't your typical hero.  He's a thief.  So, he was looking out for number one.  Charming, funny, witty and by the end, you can't help fall for him and hope he gets his happily ever after with her.  I like the witch as the bad guy.  It felt natural that the witch was manipulative and conniving.  Instead of physically harming her, she was mentally destroying Rapunzel's ability to judge and take care of herself.  The graphics were amazing.  There wasn't much too much 3D to overwhelm the visual appeal.  The plot is very simple and very imaginative, considering the original story didn't have much magic and plot going for it.  The ending was predictable.  I had to tear up a little bit though.  The way Flynn sacrificed himself for Rapunzel was heartbreaking and I totally did not see that coming.  That was the best part of this movie.

Overall, an enjoyable movie.  Felt a little rushed as you near the end of the movie, but the overall plot was pretty good.  Worth the time and money to see.  I will probably get the DVD when it comes out.  Probably pick up the CD too.  Maybe the music will grow on me.  So, if you want to wait and buy the movie, that would be ideal too.  And I sincerely hope Disney doesn't stop creating new princesses.  It has been awhile where a princess really come into her own.  (The Princess and the Frog was a flop for me.)  But Rapunzel might be bringing the princess genre back.