Tangled

For anyone who thinks that animated movies are just for children, Tangled proves them wrong in many ways. This new Disney film tells a variation of the story of Rapunzel. However, trying to appeal to a wider audience, it also incorporates the character of the thief, Flynn Rider. Together, they weave a magical adventure that’s fun for both genders and all ages.

The story centers on Rapunzel, a princess stolen at birth by a woman who wants to keep the powers of her magical hair for herself. Eighteen years later, Rapunzel is still locked in a tower by the woman that she thinks is her mother, and her real parents, the king and queen of the kingdom, are still desperately seeking her.

As you can imagine, Rapunzel craves an adventure that takes her outside of the confines of her tower, and when Flynn Rider mistakenly stumbles upon her abode, she finds a way out. Rapunzel enlists Flynn as a guide to take her to see the lights that she sees in the sky every year on her birthday. However, what she doesn’t know is that these lights are really lanterns that her parents send out every year in hopes that their lost princess will return home.

Throughout their journey to the kingdom, Rapunzel and Flynn come across many obstacles trying to stop them from reaching their goal, including her mother, the kingdom guards, and several bandits that Flynn has backstabbed in the past.

This story does, however, have a happy end when Rapunzel figures out the mystery of her birth. With last minute help from Flynn, she is able to escape her tower once and for all and live happily ever after with him and her real family.

Featuring the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, this film is both sweet and entertaining. Songs and music by Alan Menken add greatly to the overall effect of the film, often lightening the mood when darker forces are at hand.

The film is actually quite funny, and characters like Maximus, a horse, and Pascal, Rapunzel’s chameleon, add to the overall amusement. The movie, at parts, keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering when the whole truth will be brought to light and if Rapunzel and Flynn will actually be able to escape from all of the people that want to do them harm. The emotions of the characters are felt quite deeply by the audience. You can almost feel the pain that the king and queen feel as they light yet another lantern for the daughter that they know may never return. And as Rapunzel and Flynn begin to let their guards down with each other, the audience can absorb much or what they are going through.

As in traditional Disney films, the princess shines through in the end. Rapunzel’s faith in herself and self discovery help to make this film both heartwarming and immensely entertaining.