Tangled review

[secondlina]

 

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY brendala ! Have a Shaggy/Velma sketch because I looooove you!

On to the review! (spoiler free)

Tangled was good. I don't really have a favorite between it and Megamind, since they are both so different. Like the fourth Shrek, I enjoyed that Tangled explored why Rapunzel stayed in the tower and the effects the long stay had on her. She's very afraid of the outside world, but also excited to reach out and run in it (this creates an interesting scene where Rapunzel is exhilarated but feel guilt). This makes the character of mother Gothel interesting too. Not many of the versions of the fairy tale explore the relationship between Rapunzel and Gothel, and in most versions of the fairy tales, we don't even know WHY Gothel took the kid in the first place (aside from revenge on her parents). This really gives Gothel a new dimension. If anything, the movie is more about Gothel and Rapunzel then Rapunzel and Flynn. We barely get a backstory for Flynn. However, all the characters were great, but Maximus the horse takes the cake.

I enjoyed the overall beauty of the film (i'm off to buy a million lanterns, folks). Mostly, I really enjoyed how the characters were always a mix of realistic movement and wacky cartoony poses. Toes would curl in a normal fashion, as the character defies gravity. IT'S GREAT!

I also really love the fact that Rapunzel's hair is almost a character in itself. It's really used all the time. My favorite scene is probably Rapunzel, afraid, HIDING in her hair. It's adorable.

Something else I really enjoyed was what they choose to do with the music. For instance, they reduced the amount of songs to about 3. Two of those songs get a reprise, but it's short. I find in this case, limiting the music did the movie good. The princess and the frog had too much music (They really could have just kept three tunes : The villain song, "Almost there" and the song with the vodoo mistress). It weighted the movie down. Here, this helped. The movie focused more on the characters moving. Lots of physical comedy.

They also have a few characters that don't speak. The king and queen never speak. I find that amazing. All the rest of the voice acting is terrific too.

This movie also explores a bit something I always wanted to write a story about. People with magical healing powers are in terrible danger. Because people would fight over them. I always wanted to do a comic about a poor girl with healing powers being chased down. Maybe I still will.

Generally, great film. Beautiful. Follow nicely the original tale, with a refreshing remake of the Rapunzel character. Girls in towers need some loving and character development, after all.

- Isa

Comments

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

I liked that they did keep an element of the original story as well, even if I didn't realize it until after the fact. (The real question now, does Rapunzel have any healing power anymore, or did she sacrifice the last of it for Eugene?) I do agree about the music as well. My sister's husband had been watching the original Dr. Doolittle musical, and there are so many songs that the story just drags! It's painful!

Anyway, I'd love to watch Tangled without any sound to it, the animation alone is amazing. Did you notice how their clothing shifted as the characters moved? I love it!

There's an older movie my mom made me watch way back when about a woman who gains the ability to heal, and how it impacts her life. The movie did touch on how people would use, revere, and fear her for her supernatural ability. It's worth watching...once I remember what it's called. o_O;

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I think that was the last of it, since the movie opened with a single "drop of sunshine" and we kinda saw the "soul" of the flower while it was healing.

I liked the clothing, but I was far more impressed by the hair. 3D programs for clothing were developed pretty quickly, but skin and hair was always tricky. :D

Hey, if you get the title, send it my way. :D

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm only talking to you about this then. My sister's husband, who knows everything there is to know about stories and how things work, was convinced that Rapunzel's tear wasn't all of her remaining healing power. For me, if someone sacrifices their amazing ability to save another, it really cheapens things for it not to "use up" the amazing ability. She brought him back from death, that's above and beyond what she or the flower had done previously to that. (And as you said, since it showed the "soul" of the flower, that also indicated to me that the tear contained it all.)

I loved it all! I loved watching everyones' hair move, from when Rapunzel flicked Flynn's bangs from his face, to Rapunzel's hair itself. Heck, I was amazed at Mother Gothel's hair - she had frizz! I loved the detail!

I asked my mom, and you think I'd be able to remember this.. The movie was called Resurrection. It's an 80s movie, but worth watching. Just pack a tissue along if you do watch it.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I agree on the whole "last of it" thing being more dramatic/romantic. Plus it fits the "drop" from the beginning.

I was amused by the fact that, not only did Gothel have a frizz, but larger breast, a bit of a tummy, dimples... She was a fantastic looking 35-40 year old.

[dqbunny.livejournal.com]

That is an absolutely lovely picture of Rapunzel and Eugene, and I agree with your review as well. The animation is just gorgeous, and I kept watching Rapunzel's dress all the time.I agree with you on the music as well. Paring it down suit this film pretty well, but I was OK with The Princess and the Frog as well. It'll be interesting rewatching that after seeing this. But, first, Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on Blu-ray!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I loved the princess and the frog, but I would have knocked out the going down the bayou and the almost human songs. Or at least combined them. OR SOMETHING.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

I wrote it all in my journal, so I shouldn't spam you with my thoughts on the film. ^^ Especially on the part that the king and queen don't have their own lines.

You're right, I failed to notice that it was more about the relationship between Rapunzel and Gothel. =0

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

There was, but there wasn't. I found Gothel got more development then Flynn.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

I still wish they gave us more background information on him. >_>;

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

You can imply a lot of it from what he told. He was raised an orphan, apparently in an orphanage where he read to the younger kids (there's indication right there he's a good guy at heart), and he dreamed of riches since he spent his entire life with nothing. Yeah, I'm all for fleshing out the character, but just from that I completely understood why he was so smitten with being a thief and only looking out for himself.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

That's true. Though it'd be nice if there was a flashback on him when he was a kid. 8D

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

He would have been so adorable! ...but sad. I can't imagine any kid going through life like that not having a lot of sadness.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

Like Aladdin! D:

[ichiban-victory.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness! That's right! And while we never saw a young Aladdin in the original movie, we saw him in a sequel! He was too cute! Heck, I don't know how they could make a sequel to Tangled, but I'd not mind a short or something that focused more on Flynn's background.

[amelia-seyroon.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome sauce.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I,m sure fanartists will give it a go!

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Awww, I looooove you, too. Thanks for the cute birthday art! ^_^

I need to use my Megamind pass before the darn thing expires (I'm waiting for one of my Guinness-Cosplay friends to come with me :P).


I can't wait to see Tangled!
My friends keep joking that I should cosplay as Rapunzel next time I go to a con. My hair is almost long enough to pull it off; but there's no way in heck I'm gonna dye it!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

Hey, yeah, you got a pass! You have no excuses NOT to go!

I'm sure people will be impressed with your hair anyways, especially if you flower-braid it.

[brendala.livejournal.com]

You're right. I should just forget my flaky friends and go to the movie by myself! LOL

I've never tried flower braids before. I bet they would be fun to wear with a long, flowey skirt. ^_^

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

If you do it, I command you to display pictures!

[brendala.livejournal.com]

Righto!

BTW, is it cool if I put a link to this post in the Scooby Comm? I promise to pimp Namesake to the comm members if you say "yes". ^_^

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Of course! :D

[amiraelizabeth.livejournal.com]

SQUEE! Cute! I haven't seen tangled yet. But I think this might be a movie marathon weekend - tangled, hp, and megamind...lol

And happy b-day to brendala.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I approve the marathon idea!!!! DO IT! :D

[torreadora.livejournal.com]

These sketches are both gorgeous (boyfriend's textured jerkin? amazing!), but, for obvious reasons, I'm in love times ten with your Shaggy/Velma sketch. Seeing a couple all pretzeled up comfortably, foreheads pressed together, pillow hair... Makes me crazy inside. Crazy with love. ^u^

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love that too! I love when couples are all squished together. It looks more cuddly and natural then epic couple poses. Shaggy and velma is just awesome to draw too, due to how lanky shaggy is!

[earthstar-moon.livejournal.com]

Love the drawings, both are such cute couples. ^_^

I thought it was an interesting choice to not have the king and queen speak. Just proves you can convey a lot of emotions without any words. The animation was just gorgeous, I love how much detail they put into the hair and clothes.

I can't wait to rewatch it on DVD.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

The hell with that - I'm going back to theatres next week! I always buy two tickets for animated movies nowadays. I'm crazy that way.

[chameleon9999.livejournal.com]

Flynn was totally hot, but holy crap, he got messed up a lot in this movie!

And that one scene with the king, for not talking that sure was emotional! I almost started crying a little.

Ah, your pic is so cute! (And all that crosshatching! You really are awesome at inking.)

I need more hi-res of Pascal to make icons...

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, the king's scene was so powerful!

I love crosshatching! I haven't done it much lately though. BUT I SHOULD!

[angelchan-2004.livejournal.com]

Such lovely pictures<333 I especially love Flynn's suave look on his face, haha! And the way Rapunzel's hair is kind of starting to wrap around her~

I really, really love how they developed the characters in this. They did a really good job, I think. And I can play with the development a bit with fic, too, which is also nice~

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

It's her hair cocoon!

:D

50th Movie

[kayla marie (from livejournal.com)]

I was browsing on facebook today, and I found this video on the official Disney Page. For some reason, I thought of you when I watched it and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqg3-5srs4

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Saw this movie this past weekend and I think it's safe to say I'm totally enamored. Rapunzel was adorable, Flynn was hot and Pascal was pretty cute for a chameleon. I actually liked the way Rapunzel's hair looked at the end. It was very cute that way and it kinda suited her.

[merc16.livejournal.com]

Hehehe I'm so glad you liked the film! <3