 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Tangled
- Review Date: November 14, 2010
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Fantastic princess adventure is fun, with great messages.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reimagining of the classic Rapunzel tale is one Disney "princess" movie that's sure to entertain both boys and girls. Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) isn't the typical princess in need of rescuing; she does her fair share of saving Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi) -- who's no Prince Charming. There's a lot of romantic chemistry between them (flirting, gazing, and eventually hand-holding, embracing, and a kiss or two), as well as a couple of creepy scenes in which the youthful-looking Mother Gothel uses her beauty to lure men to do what she wants. Expect some brief but memorable cartoon violence -- one character dies, another one nearly dies after being pierced by a knife, and there are plenty of last-minute escapes from arrows, horse-mounted soldiers, fire, etc. The movie's messages about girl power and seeing beyond appearances are positive and inspiring; kids will learn that we all have dreams, and we should do everything we can to make them come true.
What's the story?
Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, TANGLED follows the story of Princess Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore), who -- thanks to a special flower that her mother the queen ate during a difficult pregnancy -- has magical, ever-growing hair with the power to heal and rejuvenate. But it's only used to keep her Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) -- a deceitful old crone who kidnapped Rapunzel as a baby -- looking young and beautiful. Locked away in a hidden tower, Rapunzel's deepest wish is to see the beautiful "stars" that light up the sky on her birthday every year. When a rogue thief named Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi) discovers her tower, she keeps him trapped in her hair until he promises to take her to see the soaring lanterns ... and get her back to the tower before Mother Gothel returns from a three-day errand. In exchange, Rapunzel vows to return the jeweled crown that Flynn stole. On their adventure, the two grow closer and closer -- but Mother Gothel and Flynn's rivals will do their best to keep Rapunzel from realizing the truth.
Is it any good?
It's a relief to see that Disney can still conjure up a princess movie to rival its all-time greats. In 2009 there was the lovely, hopeful Tiana in The Princess and the Frog, and now there's another fairy tale heroine who's worthy of adoration: Tangled's Rapunzel. She's guileless, strong, and beautiful -- and so breathtakingly good that you can't help but weep with her when she thinks all hope is lost. And her chemistry with Flynn is so heart-flutteringly good that you don't even need to use the kids as an excuse to watch: This is a perfect date-night pick. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and trust, something completely missing in many earlier Disney movies. And it's Flynn who nearly dies and requires Rapunzel to save him, not the other way around! What a refreshing turn on the age-old damsel-in-distress meets dashing-prince story.
As for the dramatic tension, it's best in the form of Mother Gothel -- brilliantly played by Murphy, whose signature Broadway voice (on fabulous display in the amazing number "Mother Knows Best") adds the necessary punch to Moore's sweet, airy vocals. Mother is, at least as princess film villains go, a personal favorite. In a youth-obsessed culture, who couldn't extend the tiniest bit of sympathy for an ancient, shriveled old hag who'd rather look like a young Sophia Loren-meets-Cher? Composer Alan Menken's songs -- from Murphy's show-stopper to Moore's eternally optimistic "When Will My Life Begin," the inspiring "I've Got a Dream," and the love song "I See the Light" -- are all great, as is singer-songwriter Grace Potter's theme, "Something I Want." Tangled has it all -- lovable characters, fantastic songs, and a powerful message about how your life can change if other people believe in you and your dreams.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the message that it's never too late to realize a dream -- whether it's seeing lanterns or becoming a pianist. Do you have any "someday" dreams?
How is Rapunzel similar to and different from other Disney princesses? Is she the typical damsel in distress?
Kids: What made you want to see this movie -- the story or all the ads and product tie-ins? Do you want a product because the movie characters are pictured on it?
Do you think Mother loved Rapunzel, or was she just using her? What about Rapunzel's feelings for Mother? Why did Rapunzel think Flynn wouldn't love her if she didn't have her magical blond hair anymore?
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AGE
It Should Have Been Called "Twisted"
While "Tangled" is visually stunning and has strong music, it has ended up haunting and repelling this mom to the point where she quite honestly is still having nightmares about it three weeks after seeing it.
I understand I am in the minority, but --just as most reviewers of "The Secret of Kells" seemed to miss the fact it had a very strong religious message-- nowhere did I read a review of "Tangled" that made mention of the horrible, scary, disturbing fact that skulks behind the charming thief, singing barbarians, and witty animals. This movie is about an adult who abducts, imprisons and exploits a child. What is worse, the adult is not the standard issue Disney villainess. She is beautiful, and has manipulated her captive into submission and obedience through a steady diet of passive aggressive undercutting interspersed with rage and occasional kindesses. Worst of all, "Mother Gothel," refreshes her use by brushing Rapunzel's hair while Rapunzel sings, a grotesque perversion of parent/child intimacy.
Less disturbing, yet still really troubling, is the pervasive emphasis on death, dying, injury, and loss. These issues have been handled wonderfully by any number of children's movies ("Up" and "Princess and the Frog" are two recent examples); however, that's not the case here. The starkness of a stolen child, inconsolable parental loss, and unbridled greed that makes the villainess inhuman is just too much.
All of that said, my two children enjoyed it, although the five year old hid her eyes a number of times. There are funny parts. The animation is lovely. 3D is used to good effect, particularly in a truly stunning scene where lanterns are released into the night sky (a "celebration" of the stolen princess's birthday, her parents' desperate call into the unknown). None of this was for me enough to trump the wrong at this movie's heart.
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AGE
Every Good Kids' Movie Should Have a Stabbing Scene!
It really was a great movie -- funny, interesting, great animation, etc. -- but once again (thanks, Disney) way too violent for little kids. I usually agree with Common Sense on their age ratings, but I think they're off on this one. All Disney moves have peril and violence, but thisone has an actual murder scene, complete with stabbing. Never mind that the stabbing victim eventually survives; we're meant to believe he's been killed. And in case we're not sure, we get a an upclose look at the bloody entry point beneath the victim's cloak right afterward. The witch and two thugs are really quite scary, and the witch's horror face during her eventual demise is definitely the stuff of nightmares. I do believe that if this movie had actual people in it as opposed to (the very realistic looking) animated people, it might have been given a PG-13 rating. My advice to parents is to be aware that even though this is an animated feature and even though it's the retelling of a classic children's fairy tale, just remember it didn't manage to get a G rating. There's good reason for that.
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AGE
Didn't love it
Wow - I seem to be one of a few people on the planet who objects to this movie, but I found the kidnapping scene to be really anxiety provoking for my kids. And though I personally thought that they made the kidnapper believable, subtle in her abusiveness, complex, and interesting, my kids were really uncomfortable with her. She was a mix of emotional abuse, love, and desperation all wrapped up in one. There's a scene where the kidnapper stabs the main character's one and only friend. It's a little intense. If you've got adoptive or foster kids, definitely skip this one.
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AGE
I thought the concept of the "mother" not truly loving Rapunzel even though they exchanged "I love you", "I love you more", "I love you most" was difficult to grasp for younger audiences. It makes me think children could see their mother as being dishonest when they say "I love you". I had to leave the theater with my 6 year old since she was having anxiety while watching the movie. I also thought there were lots of gratuitous images of weaponry (knives, battle axes, etc.) threatening characters. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that Flinn actually was stabbed to death at the end, but I was.
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AGE
fine enough for older kids, but not for the little ones
Hated it. My 6yr old daughter said as we left the theater, "I didn't like it at all." She sat in my lap the entire time. One of her worst fears has always been that someone would steal her away from her family. This movie portrayed that in the opening scenes. It was terrifying for mamas and kids. And the worst was that the "witch" that stole her in essence becomes an "adoptive mom" - tells her she loves her, tells her she wants to protect her, and Rapunzel grows up calling her "mommy." The old Disney thing of "evil mama" is twisted even further by making this "mama" a kidnapper, and one who uses the words "love" and "protection" in ways that trick and deceive. The end message is that rebellion gets you out from under the mama's cruel thumb. Bad message for little kids who take things literally.
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AGE
Fun, but some bad messages
Well, I saw this with my sensitive 7 year old and his friend. I really liked it - EXCEPT for the hag/mother. I kept thinking it was an uncomfortable "lesson" - she acts like she cares, she teaches that "mother knows best" but she is evil and manipulative - and it turns out that rebellion is the best thing this teenager ever did! Maybe I am a fuddy-duddy, but I really didn't like that message.
My son said afterword he liked it, but it was scary. He wouldn't elaborate, so I don't know exactly what scared him. Makes me wonder...maybe it wasn't a great choice (to my surprise). If your kids are older or less sensitive - it has some great parts.
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AGE
Warning: Violent Death Scene - Not Appropriate for Ages 7 and Under
I loved the movie. I laughed, cheered, applauded, and left feeling delighted. I thought that Rapunzel, Pascal, Flynn/Eugene, and Maximus were great role models for children ages 8 and up. However, I'm surprised that the official rating is on for ages 5 and up as the "Content Based Criteria for Determining Age Appropriateness" clearly state that movies for ages 7 and under should have no depictions of violence that would reasonably result in death or serious injury, even in cartoon characters, and Gothel/"Mother" dies quite dramatically at the end of the movie, falling to her death after being knocked out a high window and Flynn/Eugene is brought back from the brink of death after being stabbed. On the other hand, while there is action hero sword fighting (and frying pan fighting), there's minimal blood, and the violence is mostly portrayed as hurtful and causing suffering, making it acceptable for children ages 8 and up. The notable exception to the "portrayed as hurtful" criteria is the death of Gothel/"Mother," which the audience is clearly meant to welcome and celebrate (which is creepy and disturbing at any age, but utterly inappropriate for a children's movie). Movies for ages 7 and under should also not portray serious loss, bullying or coercion, and there's no doubt that being kidnapped from your loving home by a selfish witch/evil stepmother is a serious loss, and Gothel/"Mother" definitely both bullies and coerces Rapunzel into obeying her.
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AGE
Great movie, with some scary depictions of evil fake mother
Tangled is a great telling of the Rapunzel tale. Music is good, writing is very funny, characters are not overly threatening, with the exception of the Rapunzel's "mother," Gothel. I was uncomfortable with the depiction of the evil, fakester mother, as were my 5 year old twins (daughter especially). She was depicted as especially sinister and duplicitous, and I thought the movie overdid the depiction. My daughter had to leave the theater a couple of times during particularly threatening scenes with her. So I would say probably most appropriate for 6+, although both kids said they loved it when we came out of it. [And I enjoyed it very much!]
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AGE
The villian who kidnapped Rapunzel scared my kids - they wanted to leave
Sure this movie is entertaining, but from a child's point-of-view, it's very scary that the first scene shows a baby being kidnapped. This child, Rapunzel, is kept in seclusion by her abductor who pretends to be her Mother. This was VERY scary for my boys (ages 5 and 7). They wanted to leave and go home halfway through it. We ended up taking turns with them in the lobby, talking more about it, and let them come and go as they wanted to with the "scary parts". As an adult, I enjoyed the story, but this should all be considered (or discussed with the kids ??) before taking sensitive kids.
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AGE
Too dark for Disney
Great for adults but not for my 4 year old. I wished that I had listened to Common Sense Media instead of the neighbors. It was too scary for him, and we had to keep coming and going from the theatre to avoid the darker scenes. Rapunzel's "mother" is evil in a way that children cannot understand, and the message that she is willing to kidnap Rapunzel and use her hair's power rather than grow old is certainly not one that I would want children to hear. If you rent this, check it out first and find the scenes that you can fast forward through.
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies, adventures, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Directors: | Byron Howard, Nathan Greno |
| Cast: | Donna Murphy, Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 24, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | March 29, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | brief mild violence |
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