*****DO NOT READ BEYOND IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE*****
All the characters were entirely likable and believable. I'll give an analysis of each of the main ones below
RAPUNZEL
Rapunzel was absolutely adorable. One of my favorite moments of her was when she first leaves the tower. She goes through bipolar phases where she either dancing for joy and shouting “best day ever!” and “I’m never going back!” or she’s crying into her knees and declaring “I am a horrible daughter” or (my favorite) “I’m a despicable human being”. I found it to be quite hilarious and Flynn’s impatient facial expressions just made it better. Her hair was very well animated. I can’t imagine how painstakingly difficult it must have been for the animators to make it looks so real. I really felt bad for her throughout most of the movie. First, she has never left her tower because her “mother” has forbidden it, saying the world is full of scary, horrible men who want to steal her magical hair and use it for evil. Second, Mother Gothel is constantly putting her down; even though her jabbing remarks would always be followed by “I’m just teasing” or whatever, I still could not even stand it. The worst was somewhere near the middle of the movie when Rapunzel says that she thinks Flynn likes her and Gothel states, “Why would he like you?-- come on now, really! Look at you. You think that he’s impressed?” OMGG I just wanted to punch her. I think one of the all time most awful moments for Rapunzel (excluding the climax in the tower) was when she believed that Flynn left her for the Stabbington brothers to take, and just when they were at the peak of their blossoming romance. FLYNN RIDER (AKA EUGENE FITZHERBERT)
Flynn was an interesting character. Over-confident and self-serving, but he has a gooey core that Rapunzel manages to uncover. He was just as much a main character as Rapunzel. He was not there just because she needed a love-interest. Tangled was every bit of his story as it was Rapunzel’s. He is probably the funniest leading man Disney has ever had (not to mention one of the best looking :P). He had most of the best lines. I was rather interested in his background. Even though he at first said “I don’t do backstory”, he eventually told Rapunzel about his past. His real name is Eugene Fitzherbert (strange name, but whatever) and he grew up an orphan with only his storybook hero, Flynnegan Rider, to keep him going (which is where her got his bandit name). Actually, funny story, right after I saw the movie, I read a review and somebody asked, “I haven’t seen it yet, does Rapunzel end up with Flynn?” and the response was, “No. She ends up with someone named Eugene.” It made me LOL. Well, that person deserved it, it’s a Disney movie for crying out loud! Of course Rapunzel ends up with Flynn! Anyways, back to my analysis: I kind of felt bad for it, but I laughed a lot because the poor guy just never catches a break. From the very beginning he is being pursued by the soldiers and a crazy horse, and if he’s not being chased, he being whacked over the head or somehow injuring himself. I liked him a lot though. He was never actually mean to Rapunzel. The worst he did was to take her to the Snuggly Duckling, hoping to scare her back into the tower. He is unbearably sweet though, especially at the boat scene. Gah! Just the way he
looks at her is enough to make a hopeless romantic (such as myself) melt into a puddle of happiness. I mean just look at that face------------>PASCAL
Pascal was adorable and the perfect companion for Rapunzel. I thought it was so clever and unique to put a chameleon in the movie. How often do you see that? He was very protective of Rapunzel and was probably the only REAL love Rapunzel knew before Flynn came along. He was always encouraging Rapunzel to do what she feared such as leave the tower or giving Flynn his satchel back. I loved it when he turned red and covered his eyes when Rapunzel and Flynn were about to kiss on the boat. One of his truly awesome moments was when Gothel was trying to drag Rapunzel off, bound and gagged, and he went and tugged on Gothel’s dress. His little squeaks and groans were the so cute. He was too adorable.MAXIMUS
Now on to my Dad’s favorite character, Maximus the horse. He was most definitely the show stealer. Although he did not talk, his body language and facial expressions were absolutely hilarious. He is the super-cop of the movie. His main goal is to capture Flynn Rider no matter what it takes. He has climbed out on precarious tree limbs, broken down a giant dam, and survived all types of obstacles. No other horse is as daring as Maximus. I loved that Flynn called him Max. I’m not sure why, I guess I just thought it was kind of cute. It showed their developing friendship. Flynn goes from calling him “flea bag” or “bad horse” to giving him a nickname. Maximus acted more like a dog rather than a horse which I found to be hysterical. He was one of the bravest characters of the movie and he was one of the main drives that kept the story going. First off, he broke the dam that led to several important events for Rapunzel and Flynn. Also, he was the reason why Flynn was rescued from prison/execution. MOTHER GOTHEL
Gothel was a great villain. She was manipulative, cunning, greedy, and sly. She also had a motive for her evil, she wasn’t just a straight up evil person only because she could, she needed Rapunzel’s magical hair to keep her young. She’s probably like 500 years old in the movie. I laughed so hard when Rapunzel really wanted to talk to her about going to see the lights so she sang her incantation super fast and Gothel just sort of poofs back to looking young. It was hilarious. Boy did I love to hate her though. I thought she had a spectacular singing voice, probably one of the most powerful out of any of the characters, she was fantastic in Mother Knows Best (Reprise).PUB THUGS
The thugs were a crack up. They all seem horrible and intimidating, but they have some of the silliest dreams like baking cupcakes or collecting ceramic unicorns. My favorite thug was the short one that dressed up like Cupid. The best part was when the guards are taking Flynn to be hanged when suddenly all of the doors close and the short thug looks through one and asks “What’s the password?”. It was probably the hardest I laughed through the entire movie. MOVING ON...
I cried three times (that I remember). The first was when the king was crying right before he and the queen went out to release the first lantern in memory of their lost daughter. The second was the whole scene when the Stabbington brothers made it seem like Flynn abandoned Rapunzel and then tried to kidnap her. The third was, of course, when Flynn died.
I noticed how very similar Tangled was to The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Main character has a fake guardian who lies saying that the outside world is a terrible place. The fake guardian is constantly putting down the main character. Main character longs to get out despite the warnings and ends up sneaking out. Main character confronts fake guardian saying that they are the horrible ones, not the outside world. Fake guardian tries to kill main character’s friend/love-interest. Fake guardian falls to their death.
Also, I noticed how similar Rapunzel’s first encounter with Flynn was similar to Ariel and Eric’s from the Little Mermaid. (Not the knocking out part). Male lead is unconscious, female lead has never seen a human (or in Rapunzel’s case, a man) before, female lead moves male lead’s bangs, female lead stares at male lead obviously thinking he is handsome.
As long as I’m alluding to other Disney movies, I have to comment on the ending tower scene. EPIC!!! I noticed many similarities to Beauty and the Beast. The villain stabs the male lead then falls to their death, male lead dies as female lead cries over his body, last minute magic happens and there’s lots of cool lights in the air, male lead comes back to life followed by a first kiss (accompanied by awesome triumphant music). I was bawling at this scene. Flynn’s voice actor, Zachary Levi, did a spectacular job at making it seem like Flynn was in real pain. I didn’t know whether to be excited that Flynn cuts off her hair, or sad. I knew it would mean Gothel would die and Rapunzel would be free from her imprisonment, but it also meant Flynn could not be healed. So, unsure, I just cried. The animation as Rapunzel’s tear was healing Flynn was probably the the most beautiful animation of the whole movie. The tear thing was great, because it stuck to the original fairytale of Rapunzel’s tears healing the prince of his blindness. I love the first thing Flynn says when he is revived: “Did I ever tell you I have a thing for brunettes?”, it made me cry harder (of happiness). Of course you look forward to the kiss, but what really got me was the tackle/hug Rapunzel gives Flynn right before she kisses him; it just tugged at my heartstrings. Alan Menken’s music just made the entire scene all the more incredible.
Afton and I noticed that Rapunzel has super long blonde hair, then has really short brown hair. We found this funny because Afton has super long blonde hair and I have really short brown hair. Despite what most people have said, I think Rapunzel looks cute with her short brown hair (and not just because I have short brown hair). I do like her better with blonde hair, but the brown is good too.
FAVORITE MOMENTS:
*Rapunzel’s mood swings
*The lantern scene
*Flynn and Maximus tripping each other to get to the satchel on the tree branch
*Flynn containing his hysteria after Rapunzel heals his hand
*Pascal chuckling when he thought Rapunzel couldn’t find him during hide and seek
*The “What’s the password” moment
*When the thugs catapulted Flynn out of the castle
*Rapunzel trying to stuff Flynn in her closet (particularly when she gets him in, but he falls out again and totally flattens her XD)
*When Flynn is staring at Rapunzel after she gets her hair braided and Maximus waggles his eyebrows suggestively at him
*Rapunzel and Pascal trying to figure out what the crown is
*Maximus hiding behind a rock and bush shaped like a horse
*Maximus pushes Flynn into the dancing circle
*Rapunzel scooting closer to Flynn at the campfire, wanting to hear his life story
*The kingdom dance/montage
*The bunny hoping out of the bushes
*The rats bouncing to the music in I’ve Got a Dream (and Pascal’s face as he watches them)
*Flynn declaring he doesn’t sing, followed by all the thugs pointing their weapons at him, then it cutting to Flynn dancing and singing on the bar
*The ENDING!!!!!
QUOTES THAT MADE ME LOL THE HARDEST:
“Well, I hope you’re here to apologize” --Flynn, as Maximus is standing over him furious
“What’s the password?” “What?” “Nope.” “Open this door!” “Not even close” --Short thug and Captain of the guard
“I am a despicable human being” -Rapunzel, lying flat on her face outside her tower
“They just can’t my nose right!” “Who cares?” “Well it’s easy for you to say. You guys look amazing” --Flynn and Stabbington brother, Flynn is looking at some wanted posters
“OK give me a boost and I’ll pull you up” “Give us the satchel first” “What? I can’t believe after all we’ve been through, you don’t trust me?” “*glares*” “Ouch.” --Flynn and Stabbington brother, when they reach a dead end.
“Now help us up, pretty boy” “Sorry, my hands are full” “RIDER!!!!” --Stabbington brother and Flynn, after Flynn has been boosted up and somehow stolen back the satchel from the brothers.
“*sneezes*” “Hay fever?” “Yeah... huh?” --Guard and Flynn, as Flynn is stealing the crown
“You all tired from chasing the bad man all over the place?” “Excuse me?” --Rapunzel and Flynn, as Rapunzel tries to calm down an angry Maximus
“I feel like this whole time, we just been misunderstanding one another and we’re really just...” “*impatient face*” “Yeah, you’re right. We should go” --Flynn, talking to Maximus after he helped him escape prison
“No can do. The kingdom and I aren’t exactly ‘simpatico’ right now” --Flynn, after Rapunzel asks him to take her to the light festival
“Oh no! Where is my satchel?” “I’ve hidden it somewhere you’ll never find it” “It’s in that pot isn’t it?” *POW!!* --Flynn and Rapunzel
“You broke my smolder” --Flynn, after Rapunzel accidentally lets him fall on his face
“Who are you? And how did you find me?” “I know not who you are, nor how I came to find you, but may I just say... hi. How ya doin’? The name’s Flynn Rider” --Rapunzel and Flynn
“Careful, it can probably smell fear” --Flynn, as Rapunzel is clinging to his back terrified as a bunny hops out of the bushes
“I’ll break her [Gothel’s] heart?” “In half” “I’ll squish her soul!?” “*squish* Like a grape” --Rapunzel and Flynn, as Flynn is trying to guilt trip Rapunzel into going back to her tower
“I do like ducklings” “Yay!” --Rapunzel and Flynn, discussing the Snuggly Duckling
“Oh now they’re just being mean” --Flynn, looking at a wanted poster of himself with the ugliest nose yet
“What about you?” “I’m sorry, me?” “What’s your dream?” “Oh no, sorry guys, I don’t sing” *swords whipped out* --Thugs and Flynn, before Flynn starts singing
“I believe this is the man you are looking for” “You got me!” --Thug and Short thug, to the guards who have come to arrest Flynn
“I have a surprise for you!” “I have one too!” “I’ll bet mine’s better!” “*mumbles* I seriously doubt that” --Gothel and Rapunzel, Gothel’s surprise is Rapunzel’s favorite meal and Rapunzel’s is an unconscious man in her closet
“I’ve always had superhuman good looks, but superhuman powers? Can you imagine the possibilities?” --Flynn, after his hand has been healed
“What? I paid for them... most of them” --Flynn, after giving Maximus a bag of apples
“He seems happy, he’s never told me otherwise” --Flynn, about Ulf the mime
“The party lasted a week, and to be honest, I don’t remember most of it” --Flynn
“I know the big question remaining: did we ever get married? Well, after YEARS of asking and asking…I finally said yes.” “Eugene!” “Alright, I asked her.” --Flynn and Rapunzel
