Tangled - 3 1/2 smiles

Although this movie isn’t a Pixar production (and therefore missing the layers of meaning that result in such superb storytelling), “Tangled” is better than your average animated movie directed at children and their parents. All of the necessary elements for a Disney ‘princess’ movie are in place: the plucky princess; a chaste romance; a cute animal sidekick; an evil villain; songs by Alan Menken; and, of course, a happy ending. And I don’t feel that I missed anything seeing this in 2-D. If I know that the movie was intended to be in 3-D from the start of production, rather than converted after the movie is finished, I’d be more likely to see it in 3-D. Nonetheless, “Tangled” will appeal to adults as much as children and it’s a perfect way to spend some together time over the holidays.

Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) is a princess stolen from the palace nursery while an infant and raised by the wicked Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy). Rapunzel, unaware that she is kept isolated in a tower because her hair has the power to continuously restore Mother Gothel’s youth, dreams of the day when she will be allowed to visit the place where beautiful lanterns float into the sky. Her chance comes as she’s nearing her 18^th birthday and Mother Gothel is away. The thief Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi), seeking a place to hide, climbs Rapunzl’s tower. Instead of finding the tower empty, he encounters a determined young woman with an iron frying pan who knocks him out and ties him up. Then she bargains with him: if he acts as her guide to see the lanterns, she will return to him the contents of a satchel he had on him when he invaded her room. The characters are charming, the villainess gets her just desserts, and the overall visual experience, especially then hundreds of lanterns are sent aloft into the night sky, is satisfying. I’m sure you’ll enjoy “Tangled.” 11/26/10