This film is different with its animation, so let's start with that. The animation, now 3D/CGI, is very appealing and proficient. The character movements are all good, and the comedy achieved with the animation is just as good as any Jones or Avery piece.
Rapunzel is a good character, who is strong-willed but devoted to her mother. Her search for the truth about her past drives her, and she's naive in a way that's entirely justified by her isolation. She's a pretty endearing character, especially when her situation is shown.
Flynn Rider is also pretty good. Yeah, he's the lovable jerk, but he isn't too annoying, and we get to see his softer side early on, which is good. His attitude is refreshingly left out of the conflict and just develops to a more positive state. He only lacks Rapunzel's trust due to manipulations. Whose manipulations?
Mother Gothel's. Gothel, in my opinion, is the best Disney villain. She may not be magic or that bombastic, but that's what works. She's a chillingly real depiction of an abusive parent, keeping Rapunzel for her hair, which de-ages her. Everything she does serves to belittle Rapunzel under pretense of love, and her most genuine affections are only directed at the hair. She is smart and ruthless when needed, and her abuse scars Rapunzel, leaving us to love the poor girl even more. She has excellent writing and animation and is the most despicable villain I've seen in Disney.
Pascal is a great animal companion. Maximus is funny but goes a bit too far for me at times.
The plot as a whole is pretty sweet and simple, but enchanting nonetheless.
The negatives? While it works for Flynn's story, the action sequences are a bit gratuitous and jar a little with the story, and the whole "don't be afraid of the real world" message is a little idealistic and naive in itself. Gothel may make Rapunzel more scared than necessary, but some caution is warranted.
But overall, it's a fine movie and has a lot of great stuff. Definitely worth a watch.
A new era of Disney...and a good one.
This film is different with its animation, so let's start with that. The animation, now 3D/CGI, is very appealing and proficient. The character movements are all good, and the comedy achieved with the animation is just as good as any Jones or Avery piece.
Rapunzel is a good character, who is strong-willed but devoted to her mother. Her search for the truth about her past drives her, and she's naive in a way that's entirely justified by her isolation. She's a pretty endearing character, especially when her situation is shown.
Flynn Rider is also pretty good. Yeah, he's the lovable jerk, but he isn't too annoying, and we get to see his softer side early on, which is good. His attitude is refreshingly left out of the conflict and just develops to a more positive state. He only lacks Rapunzel's trust due to manipulations. Whose manipulations?
Mother Gothel's. Gothel, in my opinion, is the best Disney villain. She may not be magic or that bombastic, but that's what works. She's a chillingly real depiction of an abusive parent, keeping Rapunzel for her hair, which de-ages her. Everything she does serves to belittle Rapunzel under pretense of love, and her most genuine affections are only directed at the hair. She is smart and ruthless when needed, and her abuse scars Rapunzel, leaving us to love the poor girl even more. She has excellent writing and animation and is the most despicable villain I've seen in Disney.
Pascal is a great animal companion. Maximus is funny but goes a bit too far for me at times.
The plot as a whole is pretty sweet and simple, but enchanting nonetheless.
The negatives? While it works for Flynn's story, the action sequences are a bit gratuitous and jar a little with the story, and the whole "don't be afraid of the real world" message is a little idealistic and naive in itself. Gothel may make Rapunzel more scared than necessary, but some caution is warranted.
But overall, it's a fine movie and has a lot of great stuff. Definitely worth a watch.