Terrific “Tangled” is the hair … er … heir apparent to Disney’s fairy tale crown

Jim Hill

14 years ago

I have been writing professionally about The Walt Disney
Company for over 25 years now. Which is why I can tell you what it felt like to
be in a theater on November 17, 1989. Which was the night that "The Little Mermaid" was first released to theaters.

As the credits rolled, I remember turning to my date and
saying "Holy cr@p. Disney finally figured out how to make truly great animated films
again." Back then, it was just so startling to see something that was as tried
& true (and – let's be honest here – tired) as a Disney animated fairy tale
be reinvented as something energetic & exciting. A film that could entertain mainstream moviegoers. Rather than just the kids-and-families-only crowd.

Well, last night, I got to see a not-quite-finished version
of "Tangled." And after that screening on the Disney Lot, as I was being
introduced to Byron Howard & Nathan Greno, I couldn't help myself. I
actually blurted out: "Holy cr@p. You guys figured how to make great animated
movies again."

To their credit, Howard & Greno took my somewhat crude
compliment in the spirit with which it was intended. They recognized (given my
daughter and I were still dabbing our eyes after watching "Tangled" 's
happy-tears-filled finale) that we had been thoroughly entertained by this new
Walt Disney Animation Studios production.

I know, I know. We've all seen the trailers that are out
there for "Tangled." But they don't do justice to this new animated
feature. By playing up this motion picture's more contemporary sense of humor, rather
than highlighting "Tangled" 's sincerity, this film's huge heart, stunning visuals and solid
storytelling, Disney's doing a genuine disservice to this WDAS production. Making many would-be moviegoers think
that "Tangled" is some sort of a Shrek-ified take on Rapunzel.

Which isn't what "Tangled" is at all. Truth be told, his new Walt
Disney Animation Studios production doesn't have a cynical bone
in its body. It entertains you from beginning to end strictly on the merits of its
clever plot & engaging characters. Not to mention Alan Menken & Glenn
Slater's terrific score.

At the post-screening cocktail reception. Disney tried to replicate "Tangled" 's floating
lantern sequence by filling the Legend Plaza in front of the Team Disney building with
the same sort of lanterns. Photo by Jim Hill

Okay. Given that this was a screening of an unfinished film,
I'm not really allowed to review "Tangled." To get into any real specifics
about this animated feature. So all I can tell you now is … You're going to
love the gang of ruffians that hang out at the Snuggly Duckling. And Mother Gothel puts a modern / passive-aggressive / toxic parenting spin on the classic Disney villain. And that scene when Rapunzel
& Flynn are out in the bay, and the lanterns that fill the sky are then reflected
in the water below is almost achingly beautiful.

Voiced by Broadway veteran Donna Murphy, Mother Gothel mixes Ursula's charm & wit
with Judge Claude Frollo's parenting skills. In short, this is one mother than you don't
want to mess with. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

I mean, there's so much that Howard, Greno and their
creative team get right in "Tangled." Where they actually improve on scenes that
we've previously seen in other Disney animated fairy tales.

Take – for example – "Sleeping Beauty." Specifically the
aspect of that story where King Stefan & Queen Leah have been separated
from Princess Aurora for 16 years. As you watch this animated feature, you
never get a sense of how this separation from their daughter must have affected
the King & Queen. Stefan & Leah are basically ciphers in that story.
These characters don't engage you at all emotionally.

Now contrast that with this brief scene you get in "Tangled."
Where – on the night of Rapunzel's 18^th birthday – the King &
Queen are getting ready to appear before the kingdom. And for one heartfelt instance, you actually get to
see the huge toll that their nearly two-decades-long search has had on these royals. That they still grieve for their missing daughter.

That's what "Tangled" really does best. It takes something
that you think you've seen before (i.e. the Disney animated fairy tale) and
then turns it into something genuinely effective & entertaining for today's
audiences. Which is why this movie is sure to connect with adults, kids &
couples come November 24th. Which is when this new Walt Disney
Animation Studios release finally bows in theaters.

So you might want to make some room on that shelf where you've
been keeping your DVD versions of Disney's "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast
" and "Aladdin." Because next spring (when the Blu-ray of "Tangled" is
finally available for purchase), you're definitely going to want to slot this hair … er …
heir apparent to Disney's fairy tale
crown right alongside those great animated
features from the late 1980s / early 1990s.

Your thoughts?