Tangled
up in Laughs
In 2010, Walt Disney Pictures released a film loosely
based on the classic fairytale Rapunzel.
The title of the film, Tangled, makes
an obvious reference to the hair for which the tale’s protagonist is
synonymous. This delightful animation details the heroic escape of a young
princess, Rapunzel, held captive by an evil woman, Mother Gothel. With the help
of a handsome thief, Flynn Rider, Rapunzel learns that life outside of her
tower is both beautiful and grotesque. Most importantly, through love and
sacrifice, the princess discovers her true self.
It stands to reason that the intended audience of this
film is children; however, the touching storyline and laugh-out-loud
entertainment render it suitable for people of all ages. A younger audience may
enjoy the bright colors and catchy songs; whereas, a more mature audience will
delight in the slapstick physical comedy. Tangled
delivers a powerful message about the dangers of judging a person or
situation without seeking evidence to support said judgement. Rapunzel assumes
that Mother Gothel is her actual mother, despite the fact that the woman keeps
her locked away in a tower. The girl longs for life outside of the tower, but
allows her “mother” to convince her that her safety is at stake if she so much
as thinks of leaving. In one rather questionable bar scene, several
rough-and-tumble drunks sing about their dreams of performing Mozart, falling
in love, and making cupcakes. At first sight, one would never suspect these
interests. Rapunzel assumes Mother Gothel is good because she appears to be
beautiful and non-threatening; she assumes the men in the bar are bad because
they are missing a few teeth and like to get rowdy. When she truly gets to know
these people, Rapunzel realizes that there is more than what meets the eye.
Another compelling message the film conveys is the power
of love. Rapunzel learns, because of her love for Flynn, that she possesses an
ability of which she never knew. As she grieves over his dying body, Rapunzel
sheds a tear that lands on Flynn and brings him back to life. Their struggles
to overcome their pasts result in a true love that changes them both inside and
out. Flynn, who soon reveals his true identity – Eugene – learns that
somethings are more important that riches. His love for Rapunzel costs him the
crown, but earns him a permanent place in the royal family.
The most notable strength of the work is its humor.
Pascal, the princess’s sidekick, is a tiny chameleon with a huge bravado.
Despite Flynn’s ability to effortlessly flick the tiny lizard from his
presence, Pascal stand his ground and elicits a ton of laughs. Keeping with the
“small but powerful” theme, Rapunzel owns the screen with her feisty frying pan
swinging and quick-witted schemes. Though the overall storyline is both
entertaining and compelling, one noticeable weakness presents itself in the
kidnapping of the princess. Mother Gothel, needing the magic of Rapunzel’s
hair, steals the princess from the royal family. In the original version of the
tale, the child’s father gives her to the sorceress to atone for taking herbs
from her garden. While this transaction seems a bit farfetched, it better
explains the span of time between Rapunzel’s kidnapping and her return to her
family. A royal family with unlimited funds and resources would not give up on
finding their daughter and resort to releasing lanterns in her memory; they
would not rest until their precious princess was found.
Disney’s Tangled is
a modern spin on the classic fairytale Rapunzel.
Its side-splitting laughs and girl-power message make for all-around family
fun. Though there are a few weaknesses in the storyline, the strengths are far
more prevalent. It shows the viewer that true love starts with discovering
oneself.
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