TANGLED

Lovely, lively and with songs that make it a prime candidate for an eventual Broadway musical, Tangled takes a simple Grimm fairy tale and makes it soar.

Say what you will – and, believe me, as a skeptic going in, I said the same things – but this latest Disney offering harkens back to its princess hey-day and delivers a plucky heroine, a dashing rogue and a couple of animal-kingdom co-stars who steal many of the scenes they’re in.

Mandy Moore voices Rapunzel, a princess who was stolen from her royal parents by an evil hag named Gothel (voiced by Donna Murphy) after it was discovered that Rapunzel’s golden hair possessed magical powers. Most important to Gothel: its power to turn back time and make her young again. Thing is, if the hair is cut, it loses its magic, so Gothel keeps Rapunzel locked in a tower, where the hair grows and grows and grows. Rapunzel’s only company is her pet chameleon, Pascal, and she longs to visit the outside world.

When charming thief Flynn Ryder (voiced by Zachary Levi of TV’s Chuck) stumbles upon Rapunzel’s tower and seeks refuge, a deal is spawned and the duo set out for an adventure to the kingdom. Too bad Gothel’s none-too-pleased about it. Neither are the palace guards, and a particularly (and hilariously) determined steed named Maximus, who are already on the hunt for Flynn. Not to mention that Rapunzel’s anxiety over venturing out from her home for the first time threatens to derail the whole journey.

Contemporary without being cheesy or lame, Tangled skips along at a nice clip, peppered with quick wit and wonderful moments of heart. Rapunzel’s yearning for life outside her tower is surprisingly poignant, and her realization of a long-held dream had me crying because it was so simple but beautiful. Both lead characters are hugely likable and engaging, simultaneously funny and sweet, and rooting for their success is terribly easy. Rapunzel isn’t a damsel in distress and Flynn isn’t a hero – they’re just two flawed people who find camaraderie and, slowly, love with each other.

Oh, and Pascal and Maximus? Beyond adorable and terrific. Neither speaks, but both are blessed with clever guttural noises and facial expressions that convey what they’re thinking and feeling in a much more delightful way than words ever could.

Disney-musical veteran Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) once again delivers smart, sing-able songs that serve the story perfectly. They don’t feel out of place or superfluous, and they never slow the proceedings down. Again, they’re the stuff from which stage productions are made, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tangled: The Musical on the Great White Way at some point.

BLU-RAY AND DVD NOTES

The Blu-Ray release of Tangled includes a behind-the-scenes featurette hosted by Mandy Moore and Zach Levi, Untangled: The Making of a Fairy Tale, plus deleted scenes and extended songs ("When Will My Life Begin" and "Mother Knows Best"). Tangled is also the 50th feature animated film from the Disney Studios, so there is a montage countdown celebrating that, plus there are a bunch of the clever teasers used to promote Tangled. The DVD includes two alternate opening sequences (described by co-directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard), also included on the Blu-Ray.