Tangled

"Tangled" is loosely based on the story of Rapunzel, the imprisoned maiden with the long, golden locks.  Voiced by pop princess Mandy Moore, Rapunzel is born to a loving queen and king who rule benevolently over their kingdom.  But when the magical healing properties of her hair are discovered, Rapunzel is snatched away from her family and kept locked in a tower by a vain old woman who desires to stay young forever.  One fateful day, a rakish thief named Flynn Ryder stumbles upon Rapunzel's tower, and the two form an unlikely bond that leads them on exciting adventures and an unexpected romance.  Disney puts its own fresh spin on the classic fairy tale by taking the focus solely from the female hero and pairing her up with a debonair male lead who is more of Rapunzel's equal instead of a generic afterthought (as in most of Disney's princess-centered movies).  Mandy Moore does a good job of imbuing Rapunzel with her own sweet and slightly goofy charm.  Flynn Ryder - voiced with perfect comedic timing by Zachary Levi (TV's "Chuck") - is a fun and charismatic rogue who more than holds his own against our endearing princess.  And Donna Murphy (a Tony-award winning Broadway actress) is the film's highlight as Rapunzel's manipulative caretaker, who lets the poor girl believe that she is locked away for her own good.  My only complaint (and it is kind of a big one) is that this is a musical fairy tale, yet the tunes are easily forgettable; you won't find yourself singing any "Hakuna Matata" or "Under the Sea" type numbers after leaving the theater.  Even still, the movie is entertaining for the little ones and has a tenderness to it, with a few chuckles for the grown-ups thrown in for good measure.  "Tangled" may not have you running out to buy the soundtrack afterwards, but its perfectly cast voices, likeable characters, and adventurous story will keep you smiling throughout.


3 out of 5 stars