Disney films have evolved through the years. From featuring the main female characters being damsels in distress to now having them as heroines, who still have style but with lots of gusto and bravado.We see that in Tinkerbell, the feisty little fairy with lots of innovative ideas, who is brave and would dare to do anything just for an adventure. Now, we have a new version of Rapunzel – Tangled.
Thanks to the people at Walt Disney Studios Australia, I scored myself tickets for a media preview of Tangled a few weeks back. I brought along Miss 7 and Master 5, as Miss 8 had to go to a birthday party – her loss! The movie was in 3D and featured – who else, Rapunzel, but not as we know it. In this version, she has been kidnapped and raised by the evil Gothel, whose vanity has made her selfish and heartless. She has locked Rapunzel up in a high tower, deep into the forest, where nobody could find her. All those years, Rapunzel was brought up to believe that Gothel was her mother and that because of the magic of her hair, she was safer up in the tower. That is, until a chanced meeting with Flynn Ryder – the town’s thief, who has coincidentally stolen the princesses crown. Yes, Princess Rapunzel of course.
This movie has it’s fair share of comedy, lively songs, and beautiful romance. Rapunzel who at first we see is afraid of trusting Flynn, and rightly so, grows fond of him and as she steps out onto the real world, she discovers a world her “mother” claims to be mean and cruel, to actually be full of fun, laughter and adventure. Rapunzel isn’t some demure damsel in distress either. She’s feisty, with loads of attitude. I loved the fact that it was shown in 3D and so did my kids. I could see not just Master 5 but other children in the cinema trying to catch the butterfly on the screen – it was hilarious! There was a little bit of passive aggressiveness coming from Gothel, who continually tries to manipulate Rapunzel into thinking that she was the only safe thing in the world. It wasn’t scary or anything, but as an adult I could feel that oozing out of Gothel.
I won’t spoil the movie by telling you the ending. But, I would say, it is fun and entertaining for both the young and old to enjoy. Even the boys will get a kick out of this, as it’s not the usual Disney romantic animation. So, if you’re stuck on what movies to catch this holiday, Tangled will be out at the cinemas on the 6th January 2011. Don’t miss it!
