Cute and catchy

Rating: 8/10 (12 August 2019)

I must confess that I was a bit unsure about watching Disney's version of the tale of Rapunzel - partially because I secretly enjoyed the original tale and was worried about what they would do with it and also partially due to the fact that I didn't think it would make that great a film. But, I decided to sit down and watch it, anyway.
I had grown used to Disney's new style of story telling - in movies such as Zootopia, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and Big Hero 6, and Brave. I quite love this new style, which felt more...I don't know, real. So, when the movie started, I was quite surprised to find that Tangled wasn't like any of these movies, and was done in old Disney style with narrations, and immediately revealing who the villain is, and several other big reveals right at the start instead of being revealed later in the movie like they do now. It was like a mixture of old Disney classic story telling with a bit of Looney Tunes thrown in.
At first I was unsure how this would play out, but I actually quite enjoy how they told in the old Disney classic way. In fact, without the narration at the start, I don't think some parts of the film (particularly with Mother Gothel and Rapunzel at the start) would have made much sense.
The animation and attention to detail was quite good and very enjoyable. I rather like and appreciate some of the changes made to the story - such as instead of a prince, the movie makers make it a thief called Flynn Rider, a thief that you just can't help but love. Flynn is full of himself, witty, great at thieving, sly, and just a really likeable guy - oh, and Rapunzel's love interest. Zachary Levi does an excellent job with Flynn - made him quite funny. Mandy Moore does a great job as the main character Rapunzel. She is the perfect voice for the naive, outgoing, bubbly, fish-out-of-water character that Rapunzel is. But Rapunzel can also handle herself and her natural charm helps them out of bad situations in hilarious ways.
The songs were quite good and catchy - my personal favourite is I've got a dream. Very hilarious and old-fashioned Disney song. I also loved how Disney made a crack or two at themselves in the movie.
And because it's Disney, we can excuse the implausibility of some of the scenes and some of the all-around cheesy and silly parts - though there was one scene which I thought was a bit overdone and quite stupid. At first it was funny, but as it continued it began to feel stupid and pushed.
The climax was excellent and very tense and emotional. I couldn't help but notice similarities between Tangled and Frozen - such as with Rapunzel and Anna both being outgoing females who are isolated from the world and both going on an adventure and teaming up with rough diamonds like Flynn and Kristoff. Then there's the climax. I noticed quite a few similarities there. I thought it was interesting, considering the fan theory of Tangled and Frozen taking place in the same universe and Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel being cousins.
Donna Murphy was very, very good as Mother Gothel - Disney's last classic villain. Very evil, conniving, dark villain. Overall it is a great movie - particularly due to the old-fashioned classic storytelling style it was told in. There was a very minor hiccup, but otherwise quite good and I love it. If you like classic Disney movies, then this movie is for you.