Amy Ratcliffe said in her review, “Because it's been
featured in promotional material, it's not a spoiler to say Rapunzel's hair is
back -- which is fortunate, since I already mentioned it.” The movie tells how
Rapunzel once again ends up with over 50 feet of barely manageable hair
(Ratcliffe asks, “seriously, how does she not have excruciating headaches all
the time? Do the magical aspects of the hair save her from the pain? I need
answers”). Her hair antics play an important part in the story, and they do
come with a mostly believable explanation for its return, overall, but the main
theme is bigger than stronger glands. Rapunzel is struggling with a lack of
freedom.
Think about it. She’s spent most of her life locked
away by herself in a tower. She’s only recently experienced freedom. Yes, a
little time has passed since she was reunited with her parents, the king and
queen of Corona, but she hasn’t had must of a chance to explore. She needs to
breathe and experience life. However, she has to start learning the ins and
outs of being a princess under the supervision of an overprotective father who’s
never really forgiven himself for letting Rapunzel get kidnapped when she was a
newborn.
This is not looking good for her even with Eugene,
Pascal, and Maximus with her.
Rapunzel feels muted. Her unfamiliarity with normal
customs, like wearing shoes, is handled in a funny way. The character’s as charming
and attractive as ever, so you can’t help but feel for her as she trips around
her new job. Ratcliffe compared, “It did come off as similar to what Merida
goes through in Brave, but Rapunzel's circumstances make it somewhat different
(not different enough for me to stop thinking about Merida though).”
As mentioned, many of Rapunzel’s traits we got to know
in the animated film are in full effect here. Her relationship with Eugene is
fun and lighthearted. Ratcliffe said, “They're rocks for each other.” However,
he’s getting used to castle life easier than Rapunzel. This adds up since he’s
had a life of traveling about wherever he wanted. She’s only just beginning to
understand the diversity of the world around her. Having the original voice cast
for the duo (Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi) return helps carry the spirit of the
original film into this journey.
Because it’s Disney, new songs are in this film.
Composed by Alan Menkin with lyrics by Glenn Slater, the two songs introduced
in here are well down and further the story. One looks at whether the happily
ever after life Rapunzel ended up with is actually her version of happily ever
after and another is somewhat a tribute to the “When Will My Life Begin (Reprise).”
Rapunzel finds a way to dodge her guards and have an adventure because she’s
Rapunzel, and this upbeat song accompanies her. Will the songs be classics?
Time will tell. Ratcliffe credited, “At the very least, they complement the
story and they're deftly written and catchy.”
There’s another element in this film: the animation
style. Rather than being CGI like the film, both “Before Ever After” and “Tangled:
The Series” are done in 2D animation. Ratcliffe admitted, “To this I say, thank
freaking goodness. I like CGI. Disney in particular does lovely things with the
medium. However, it's a delight to be reminded of what 2D animation can bring
to the table. The look is a touch stylized, and it fits the fairy tale setting
like a perfectly sized glass slipper. The backgrounds are tempting distractions
from the characters, but the 2D approach gives the casts' expressions and
gestures life.” Pascal’s mouth has not changed one bit, and every line of
disapproval on his small face comes across in the animation.
Overall, “Tangled: Before Ever After” is an enjoyable
and entertaining return to Corona. The elements you like from the film are all
here, and they have the chance to continue and develop in a new story. The strict
father part of the story is tiring, but since Rapunzel is rather capable and energetic,
hopefully that wasn’t an element for long in the series.
I was surprised that they had decided to come out with
a series to “Tangled,” but then again, it is one of the best Disney princess
films that they had come out with in the past decade or so. The show apparently
was so successful that it ran for three seasons. As someone who has never seen
the show, I really enjoyed this pilot. See it if you have a Disney+ because it
is actually good. I don’t know if I will ever watch the series, but I think it
was good. Maybe I will see it one day, but I don’t know.
Tomorrow I will look at a film that is a mixed bag
because there are some stuff in it that I like and others that I don’t, but may
not be one to see around the holiday time in “Disney Month 2022.”
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