Tangled
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Richard Kiel,
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Rating: 4.5/5
Disney has a long standing history of bringing some of the most loved animation movies to the big screen and in 2011 that tradition continues.
Tangled is the fiftieth animation movie for Disney, as they re-tell the story of Rapunzel, and this is up there with some of their best work.
When the kingdom's most wanted-and most charming-bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) hides out in a mysterious tower, he's taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair.
Flynn's curious captor, who's looking for her ticket out of the tower where she's been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs.
I defy you to not get swept up and away in the latest heart warming animation from Disney as Tangled brings together a hilarious script, colourful characters and, of course, lots of singing.
Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi bring their characters to life and deliver their performances with real charm. There is clear chemistry between the pair and their developing relationship pushes the story forward.
The animation is, as you would expect, simply beautiful as Disney as they blend the digital work with the more traditional hand drawn images.
The script is incredibly funny with some great gags, and modern day references that work really well. There are also two great non-speaking characters, in the form of Maximus and Pascal, that provide plenty of the laughs without ever speaking a word.
The movie blends some great action scenes, how Rapunzel uses her hair is just great, with some very powerful and emotion moments - the lantern moment in particular is very moving.
But as you may expect Tangled delivers a very powerful message of having dreams and holding onto them - as well as being a story of friendship and trust.
I will admit that I have been a life long Disney fan and am always excited, despite being twenty five, when a new movie hit’s the big screen and Tangled really is no disappointment.
The music is infectious - Mother Knows Best from Gothel - superbly voiced by Donna Murphy - is by far the best song in the movie.
While this is a movie for the kids trust me it’s just as much fun for the adults as Tangled, much like Shrek did before it, does tip it’s hat to the older generations to get them involved,
Tangled will be one of the best animation movies that we will have the pleasure of watching this year and it can rightly take it’s place next to the other Disney classics.
Tangled is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw