Toon Talk: Tangled - Nov 29, 2010

Toon Talk: Tangled
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In addition to being Disney�s 50th animated feature (didn�t they stop counting them?), Tangled is also Disney�s first computer animated fairy tale, as well as their first musical in the medium. However,Tangled�s most disappointing feature is the lackluster songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, which are serviceable at best, forgettable on the whole. Only the requisite love song �I See the Light� stands out, mostly due to its creative staging.

On the plus side, the computer animation is warmer and more flowing then usual, and the humor is easy-going, if not exactly guffaw-inducing. The film will appeal mostly to its target audience of tots and their families, even if they�ve seen a lot of Disney�s other princess outings.

Tangled also best describes the behind the scenes situations that occurred during the making of the film. For example, original director Glen Keane (the ace animator behind such iconic Disney characters as Ariel, the Beast and Aladdin) was replaced by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, who co-created the equally pedestrian Bolt (Keane does retain an executive producer credit). Also, the presumably more tween friendly Moore took over the Rapunzel vocals from Emmy and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth� one can only imagine the possibilities if they had kept this out-of-the-box casting choice, teamed with, say, Nathan Fillion as Flynn.

Sadly, it appears that whenever a hard choice was to be made with Tangled, they took the safe one. Considering the unique creativity Disney brought to another fairy tale, The Princess and the Frog, just last year, Tangled feels like a step backward.

Toon Talk Ratings: B-

Coming Soon:

  • It�s a Fantasia double feature as the 1940 classic and the 2000 sequel make their Disney Blu-ray debuts on November 30.
  • Also on November 30, take a look behind the curtain with the DVD debuts of three Disney documentaries: The Boys: The Sherman Brothers� Story, Waking Sleeping Beauty and Walt & El Grupo.
  • 28 years later, it�s time to go back to the video arcade for Tron: Legacy, opening in theaters December 17.

Discuss It

-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logos by William C. Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics

Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ... In addition to his Toon Talk reviews, Kirby is the creator of Movie Dearest, a blog for movie fans.

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted November 29, 2010

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