Tangled [movie review]

Tangled is Walt Disney Pictures’ 50th full-length animated feature… and I think I’ve seen ’em all! I was able to treat Maya and Maura to a special screening of Tangled in DC earlier this week, and I must admit I had a great time, too! I wasn’t expecting to like the movie as much as I did.

Synopsis: When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider is taken hostage by Rapunzel, a feisty teen with 70 feet of golden hair who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, the unlikely duo sets off on a hilarious, hair-raising escapade filled with adventure, heart, humor and hair—lots of hair.

We sat next to my friend Julie, from Mobile Test Kitchen, and her adorable daughters.

I found Tangled to be a throwback to classic Disney films that we know and love. A beautiful princess… hero that saves the day (sort of)… an animal sidekick… a female villain… and a ‘happily ever after’! It was heart-warming, funny, and thoroughly entertaining.

Take your kids to see Tangled – the entire family will love it. Even the boys, as there is a lot of action. While I won’t give too much of the movie away, I will say that each character is unique and memorable.

Rapunzel, for instance, is not the typical Disney princess – she’s tough and rebellious. Mandy Moore voices her perfectly! Mother Gothel, the villain, is evil, but not as scary as the witches and queens of previous Disney films.

Pascal, Rapunzel’s lizard friend, and Maximus, a noble horse, are quiet, but have huge personalities!

The Music

Tangled features new songs and a score by eight-time Oscar-winning composer/songwriter Alan Menken, who also composed the scores for “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” and, most recently, “Enchanted”. Lyrics are by Glenn Slater, a 2008 Tony and Grammy nominee for his work on “The Little Mermaid.” While I didn’t fall in love with the soundtrack while watching the movie – I found the songs to be somewhat forgettable – I’m going to pull out the CD and give the score a second chance.

The Animation

Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. We saw it in 3D, which was subtle but impressive. The scene that best showcases the 3D is the boat scene; I even caught Maya reaching her hand out to grab a lantern!

Rated PG, Tangled opens in theaters on November 24th. For more, visit Disney.com/Tangled.

Disclosure: I was provide with free passes, a t-shirt, and a couple of other gifts thanks to Klout.