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Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures.

Written by: Dan Fogelman, adapted from the fairy tale, “Rapunzel” by The Brothers Grimm.

The standard-bearer for animated films since essentially the 1930′s boom period for motion pictures, Walt Disney Studios consistently raised the bar and amazed audiences with each and every film they made. A Disney feature was really the first “event” movie and Disney was heralded for the groundbreaking animated films for decades. Disney animation suffered a bit of a lull creatively and publicly in the 1970′s up through the mid-1980′s, but it was with 1989′s “The Little Mermaid” that Disney saw their animation division soar to new critical and public acclaim. Once again, it seemed, they could not miss. But at the turn of the 21st century, their in-house rival Pixar had cornered the market on brilliant storytelling and innovative computer animation, taking a foothold as the new animation leader. As DreamWorks landed hit after hit (“Shrek” started it off in 2001) and other studios invested in computer-based animation with strong box office returns to match, Disney lost significant ground in the industry that it put on the map. At one point, the studio announced they were no longer producing hand-drawn features and only working in computer animation. When Disney faced criticism and dismay at their decision, Disney quickly reversed its course, putting a huge campaign behind 2009′s traditionally drawn “The Princess and the Frog”. The film previewed well and many thought that Disney was on the verge of making a most gallant return to the top of the animation ladder. When the film netted modest success and left many underwhelmed at the final product, Disney turned attentions to their next project, “Rapunzel.”

Fearing that the title would turn male viewers away from the project, the film was retitled “Tangled” and reportedly the male character, Flynn, was given more focus and attention. The result? A stellar return to form as Disney may have that heralded comeback they expected in 2009, a year later than they initially anticipated.

On the eve of her 18th birthday, Rapunzel is more determined than ever to make her mother give her the chance and opportunity to travel to that foreign and distant world outside of her isolated existence in a 70-foot tower. The tower has been her home her entire life and she is kept by her narcissistic and paranoid mother, Gothel. Gothel has locked Rapunzel away largely because of the magical healing powers that Rapunzel carries within her beautiful and extraordinarily long blonde hair. While she does have a companion, a chameleon named Pascal, Rapunzel is curious about the magical lanterns which float to the sky every year on her birthday. Her goal is to see the lantern show in person, an idea her mother rejects soundly and without question.

Flynn Rider is a petty criminal who along with his partners in crime have stumbled into the thieving of a tiara, bejeweled with expensive gems. As they make their escape, Flynn pulls a double cross and takes the tiara, breaks away from his friends, and finds himself chased down by Maximus, a police stallion. Flynn happens upon the secluded tower and breaks in. Believing the tower to be vacant, Flynn thinks he has outwitted the authorities and his new enemies, until a frying pan, a chameleon, and a young girl make their presence felt swiftly and memorably.

With “Tangled”, we largely have the Rapunzel fairy tale revisited with musical numbers thrown in and a careful balance established between Rapunzel and the male character, Flynn. Additionally, the vintage Disney supporting cast of charismatic animals are back and fresh again with a hilarious chameleon and a horse with canine characteristics – a rather unexpected and quite engaging surprise.

Directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greco have collaborated previously on Disney’s 2008 Oscar-nominated “Bolt”. Sharing the director’s chair this time around (Howard was “Bolt”s director), the duo have the Disney sensibilities and trademark characteristics dialed in rather acutely. Bringing in the well-respected and 8-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken is a bonus, as “Tangled” incorporates some affecting music, including one track during a lantern scene that ranks with the finest of Disney’s musical moments over the past several decades.

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi exhibit tremendous comedic timing and chemistry in their tug of war of animosity, curiosity, and eventual pingings of the heart which result from their experiences together. Donna Murphy vocalizes Gothel perfectly and conveys a naturalistic fear and panic that is not too distant from any parent, who loves their child, as they shed their teenage years and strive for self-sufficiency away from their parents. Gothel’s emotional dilemma is one of the surprises “Tangled” delivers, as it makes for a more thoughtful and contemplative film than one may expect.

One striking quality of the film is how visually stunning it is. Although computer animated, the film is presented in painstaking detail to replicate the feel and look of Disney’s classic hand-drawn animation style. The effect is unique and frankly lost to a large extent in the 3-D format. At times, the scenes resemble paintings to canvas and yet marry a look of the past to the more modernized style audiences are now accustomed to. There are scenes and moments that captivate the viewer, adding more weight to the argument that this might be the finest year for animated films in many years.

“Tangled” is terrific and entertaining. For those longing for Disney to churn out something from their last boom period (“The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Lion King”) and not another lackluster and underwhelming effort (“Meet the Robinsons”, “Atlantis…”, “Brother Bear”), prospects are surging upwards again. “Tangled” will please the entire family – it strikes a successful balance of witty dialogue, genuine humor, engaging music, and memorable characters.

Should I See It?

For those who fondly recall the Disney films of the last 20+ years, “Tangled” will take you back to the era of mermaids, lion kings, aladdins, and beauties and beasts.

The film is very funny, has engaging music, and has a heartfelt message that will appeal to everyone in the family.

Unique in its look, hand-drawn appearance with modernized computer animation makes the film stand apart from many of the year’s animated features.

A decent amount of music exists in the film, and for some viewers young and/or old, the music will take people out of the story.

Sticking to their guns – reinventing the classic Disney film formula again and again may wear on viewers who are more accustomed to the rapid-fire comedic timings of “Shrek”, adventure films such as “How To Train Your Dragon” or more recent films such as “Megamind” and/or “Despicable Me”…

Skip the 3D. Visually, the film is quite impressive in 2D.