Marshall and the Movies

The Disney charm gets cranked up to 11 in “Tangled,” the studio’s 50th animated feature in its illustrious history.  The retelling of Rapunzel earns its place in a lineup of classics by combining the strengths of the many films that came before it.  Combining the familiarity of a fairy tale, some toe-tapping musical numbers, and the boundless possibilities of computer animation, the movie is an undeniable joy to watch.

Every Disney tale has a twist from the storyline which takes it in a more dynamic direction, and what lifts Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) off the page and onto the screen is the revelation that her long hair has healing and rejuvenating powers.  Of course, this means that the old hag who desires to be youthful forever hoards her away in a tower so that only she can exploit the hair.  She yearns for contact aside from her lizard Pascal and greedy stepmom almost as much as she wants to get out and see the city and kingdom for herself.

Enter Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi), an outlaw with a more gorgeous nose than wanted posters give him credit for and a love of stealing from the exceptionally wealthy and privileged.  After snatching the crown jewels, he hides in Rapunzel’s tower and from there, the adventure begins.  It’s a fun journey with the two of them that begins with her exaltation of grass, trees, and the earth since she has never experienced anything other than the tower.

There are plenty of other interruptions along their trip to the castle for the magical floating lights, often times accompanied by fun, engaging songs from Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” among others).  While you don’t leave the theater whistling them, you sure get into the rhythm while watching.  Great supporting characters are hardly in short supply, with a group of jolly giants, a diaper-toting dwarf, and a proud horse with a personality through the roof leading “Tangled” to heartfelt hilarity.  While it may not be quite at a classic level, it leaves a trail of happiness as long as Rapunzel’s hair.  A- /