Tangled

Disney’s Tangled—the 50th film in its Animated Classics series—flies out of the frying pan and into the hearts of all. Based on the household classic fairy tale, Rapunzel, Tangled unravels the story of a young princess trapped in a secluded tower deep in a forest. Anxious for answers about her past, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) asks her adopted mother, the manipulative Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy), for permission to leave the lonely tower. After Mother Gothel adamently refuses, a criminal, Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi), sneaks into the secluded building to avoid arrest. After a brief and rather painful introduction, the two embark on a whirlwind adventure to uncover Rapunzel’s past as well as some other uncharted discoveries.

With a smart spin-off of a familiar tale and toe-tappingly memorable tunes, this movie is reminiscent of the Disney Renaissance era. Parts of Tangled feature suspenseful action sequences that keep audience members anxiously inquiring how the lead characters escape impossible situations. Tangled also introduces a new type of Disney villain: Mother Gothel, voiced by Donna Murphy, mothers and affectionately spoils her adopted daughter. But selfish intentions underlie her matronly affection; Rapunzel must keep her lengthy, enchanted locks in order to preserve Mother Gothel’s youth. Once Rapunzel defies her, Mother Gothel plans an ingenious plot to get her daughter and beauty back. The relationship Mother Gothel established with her so-called daughter stirs conversation and thought.

Tangled meshes the timeless theatrical landscape trademarked by Disney with 21st-century animation and writing. With unexpected plot twists and extensive action sequences, Tangled is a hair-raising experience fit for royalty of all ages.