Tangled (2010)

Tangled is a 3-D animated adventure film based on the story of Rapunzel. Tangled is the most expensive animated film ever made, with a $260 million budget.

For hundreds of years, Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) uses a magical flower made from the sun to retain her youth. Soldiers from the kingdom of Corona find the flower to heal their queen. She gives birth to Princess Rapunzel (Mandy Moore). Gotel attempts to steal the flower but discovers the magical powers are contained within Rapunzel's hair, and that when cut, the power is lost. Gothel steals baby Rapunzel and isolates her in a tower, raising her as her own. The king and queen release sky lanterns on each of Rapunzel's birthdays in hope see will return to the kingdom.

Before Rapunzel's 18th birthday, she asks Gothel to leave the tower to watch the lanterns. She denies her request saying it's much too dangerous. Thief Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi) steals Rapunzel's crown from the palace. While escaping the guards, he unknowingly climbs her tower and is knocked out by Rapunzel with a frying pan. She hides the crown and convinces him to take her to see the lanterns in exchange for the crown.

Flynn takes her to a pub full of thugs to try and get her to go back home. They sing about their dreams, but Gothel realizes she's left the tower and the guards search the pub. They escape through a tunnel and get caught in a flooding cave. Rapunzel uses her glowing hair to light the cave in order to break free. Flynn reveals his real name is Eugene Fitzherbert. They hide out in a forest and are followed by Gothel and two thugs. Eugene steps away and Gothel gives Rapunzel the crown.

Maximus, the palace horse, is initially searching for Flynn but befriends Rapunzel, leading them to form a truce on her birthday. They make it to the palace and take a boat to watch the lanterns. She gives him the crown and they fall in love. Eugene sees the thugs onshore and leaves to give them the crown. They tie him to a boat to make it look as if he left Rapunzel behind. Gothel gets her to believe she's rescuing her and takes her back to the tower.

Rapunzel realizes through the kingdom's symbol of the sun that she's the lost princess. She confronts Gothel and she ties up Rapunzel so she can't escape. Eugene is sentenced to death by hanging before he's saved by the guys from the pub. He rides with Maximus to the tower to save Rapunzel. Her hair falls from the tower and he climbs up to find he's been set up. Gothel stabs him, Rapunzel requests she save him and she will stay with her in the tower forever. Eugene cuts off her hair, breaking the spell that made Gothel young. Gothel falls out of the tower and turns to dust. Rapunzel's hair is gone but her tears heal Eugene's wounds. They return to the kingdom and eventually get married.

The story of Rapunzel is a classic German fairytale from the early 1800s. Disney Studios does a brilliant job of bringing the story to life with colorful characters and likable sidekicks. Rapunzel is a feisty young girl eager to explore the world. Eugene is the "prince charming" type who accidentally saves Rapunzel from isolation and himself from a life of crime. Rapunzel's pet chameleon Pascal and the noble horse Maximus don't speak but instead use mannerisms that add humor to many scenes throughout. Gothel is the villain, she isn't a witch or a sorceress, but she takes advantage of Rapunzel's powers, making her appear young and beautiful.

The original soundtrack is composed by Alan Menkin. With standout performances from Mandy Moore and Donna Murphy, the songs are a nice touch to the light-heartedness of the film.

Tangled is a visually stunning animated adventure. It's a quality addition to the list of Disney princess movies. I recommend this film to people of all ages.

3.5/4