Tangled
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
Inspired by the classic fairy tale “Rapunzel” created by the Brothers Grimm, Disney’s “Tangled” is a unique coming of age story about a young girl with magic golden hair and a malevolent witch who will go to extraordinary measures to ensure that a child’s precious secret remains locked away in a tower forever.
The golden flower in the film symbolizes both a positive and a negative use of magic. For Mother Gothel, the magic of the golden flower symbolizes her own selfish desire to remain young and beautiful forever. When the flower’s magic is taken from her after Rapunzel’s mother falls ill, Mother Gothel goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure that her “golden flower” is restored to her by abducting the infant princess, Rapunzel, after she discovers that the flower’s magic flows through Rapunzel’s hair. Ironically, it is this same magic that flows through Rapunzel’s hair – or rather the lack of it - that leads to Mother Gothel’s tragic demise.
For Rapunzel, the power flowing through her golden hair reflects magic in a positive light. When Rapunzel’s mother falls ill, it is the magic of the golden flower that heals her and allows her life to be restored. When Rapunzel meets the handsome thief, Flynn Rider, she uses the magic in her hair to heal his hand after they battle the royal guards. When Flynn is fatally wounded by Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s magic is extinguished when Flynn cuts her hair to protect her from the malevolent villainess. Although her magic is gone, it is Rapunzel’s love for Flynn that allows his life to be restored.
The floating lanterns in the story play a vital role in allowing Rapunzel to be reunited with her true family. When Rapunzel is born, the king and queen light a lantern to commemorate the birth of their beloved daughter. After Rapunzel is taken by Mother Gothel, the lanterns serve a double purpose. For the king and queen, the lighting the lanterns on Rapunzel’s birthday represents their heartfelt desire to see their daughter brought safely home. For Rapunzel, the lanterns represent her desire to leave her lonely life in her tower and fulfill her lifelong dream; a dream that will ultimately allow her to find her way home again.
Disney’s “Tangled” is a hilarious and heartwarming film that will charm both children and adults alike. The story is a clever reinterpretation of the original classic, the animation is stunning, and the characters – particularly the dashing Flynn Rider and the comical sidekicks, Maximus the horse and Pascal the chameleon, are unforgettable. While not in the same class as “Beauty and the Beast” or “The Lion King”, I would still highly recommend this film.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
Inspired by the classic fairy tale “Rapunzel” created by the Brothers Grimm, Disney’s “Tangled” is a unique coming of age story about a young girl with magic golden hair and a malevolent witch who will go to extraordinary measures to ensure that a child’s precious secret remains locked away in a tower forever.
The golden flower in the film symbolizes both a positive and a negative use of magic. For Mother Gothel, the magic of the golden flower symbolizes her own selfish desire to remain young and beautiful forever. When the flower’s magic is taken from her after Rapunzel’s mother falls ill, Mother Gothel goes to extraordinary lengths to ensure that her “golden flower” is restored to her by abducting the infant princess, Rapunzel, after she discovers that the flower’s magic flows through Rapunzel’s hair. Ironically, it is this same magic that flows through Rapunzel’s hair – or rather the lack of it - that leads to Mother Gothel’s tragic demise.
For Rapunzel, the power flowing through her golden hair reflects magic in a positive light. When Rapunzel’s mother falls ill, it is the magic of the golden flower that heals her and allows her life to be restored. When Rapunzel meets the handsome thief, Flynn Rider, she uses the magic in her hair to heal his hand after they battle the royal guards. When Flynn is fatally wounded by Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s magic is extinguished when Flynn cuts her hair to protect her from the malevolent villainess. Although her magic is gone, it is Rapunzel’s love for Flynn that allows his life to be restored.
The floating lanterns in the story play a vital role in allowing Rapunzel to be reunited with her true family. When Rapunzel is born, the king and queen light a lantern to commemorate the birth of their beloved daughter. After Rapunzel is taken by Mother Gothel, the lanterns serve a double purpose. For the king and queen, the lighting the lanterns on Rapunzel’s birthday represents their heartfelt desire to see their daughter brought safely home. For Rapunzel, the lanterns represent her desire to leave her lonely life in her tower and fulfill her lifelong dream; a dream that will ultimately allow her to find her way home again.
Disney’s “Tangled” is a hilarious and heartwarming film that will charm both children and adults alike. The story is a clever reinterpretation of the original classic, the animation is stunning, and the characters – particularly the dashing Flynn Rider and the comical sidekicks, Maximus the horse and Pascal the chameleon, are unforgettable. While not in the same class as “Beauty and the Beast” or “The Lion King”, I would still highly recommend this film.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.