Tangled

Directed By: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard
Written By: Dan Fogelman and Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm (fairy tale)
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi and Donna Murphy
Rated: PG

MY RATING: A

Disney returns to it's time-honored roots.

Tangled is the classic story of Rapunzel retold.  Princess Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) received magical healing powers from a flower as a baby.  Mother Gothel, obsessed with maintaining her youth, discovers that Rapunzel holds the gift of healing in her golden hair so she kidnaps Rapunzel in the middle of the night.  Mother Gothel locks Rapunzel away high up in her tower where she spends her whole life yearning to venture into the world.  One day her wish is granted.  A thief on the run (Zachary Levi) stumbles upon Rapunzel where she convinces him to take her to the place where she's always dreamed of going.  So they set out on an adventurous journey that unlocks Rapunzel's mysterious past along the way. 

What a lovely little animated movie!  This was vintage Disney at it's best - a princess, an evil wicked witch and a handsome prince.  I love it!  Throw in some sweet, cute songs and there you have the Disney recipe.  I loved the animation, a mix of old and new!  They didn't try to make the characters look too realistic, it's obvious this is great animation.  They gave them big, bold, expressive, cartoon eyes but of course all of the details were there that only the digital age can deliver. 
I'm vaguely familiar with the Rapunzel story so this version was new and fresh to me.  I'm not sure if Disney stayed true to the original or if they totally revamped it but either way it felt current and classic at the same time. 
Mandy Moore's voice was a sweet, angelic touch!  Its like I heard a journalist say in an interview with Moore, seems like she's perfect to play a Disney princess.  And the leading "man," Zachary Levi was hilarious!  I had to look him up to see what live action projects he's worked on because he was crackin me up in Tangled.

All in all this movie was entertaining, sweet, funny, warm-hearted, well written, charming, cute and adventurous ... one to definitely add to your Disney collection!

I say definitely see this!