Glad to have you back for more Toony Tuesday.
Let's talk Tangled.
This 2010 Disney animated film was adapted from the beloved Grimm fairy tale of Rapunzel. YOU know, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair", all that jazz. Well, this version is more refreshed, expanded, and much more dramatic, with touches of humor and heart.
...well, from what I heard about.
Because unfortunately...I haven't seen it then...
But back in 2015 when Disney had announced a new TV series based on the film to debut in 2017, I've decided to finally watch it...in 2017. And it was beautiful. The tale is fresh, charming, hilarious in perfect bunches, fantastic characters with perfect casting (including Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi) and perfectly organic development and spectacular score and music that never gets old.
This film is definitely...(while being super specific) one of Disney's best computer-generated animated films...without the involvement of PIXAR. And considering they have a lot of them, that says a lot.
The film late had a sequel in a short called Tangled Ever After, in which (SPOILER ALERT) Rapunzel and Flynn--well, actually Eugene Fitzherbert get married, with their awesome partners in crime Pascal and Maximus (respectively) going on an outrageous adventure to rescue the princess and prince-to-be's rings. It's just as hilarious, charming, unexpected fresh and heartwarming as the films. Sure, some of jokes are expected, along with some nice nods to the film itself, but it was a great continuation to the story. Rapunzel and Eugene's nuptials sure brought a tear--I mean, was really cool, and the last open-ended joke with the cake was funny too.
Buuuuuut... before we get to that, we have a TV show to get through first.
Tangled: The Series continues the story after Rapunzel is rescued, and she and Flynn are together, and Flynn is now Eugene. Yeah.
This Disney Channel animated series, developed by
Shane Prigmore and Chris Sonnenburg, is the first animated series to air on the network in three-four years (since Gravity Falls and Wander Over Yonder). Already that sounds exciting (even if that implies the show will be primarily targeted to girls). But it is absolutely perfect viewing for the whole family (as in both guys and girls).
The main cast from the film has returned for the series, and already they haven't missed a step. Moore keeps the infinite beauty, bright-eyed wonder, sugary kindness, razor-sharp smarts (...of the sort) and unapologetic bravery as Rapunzel; Levi retains the heroics, cynicism, goofy charm, and manic activity as Eugene (you can tell I've only watched the film once).
The series also being us new characters to possibly love:
-Cassandra is Goldie's handmaiden and the daughter of the Captain of the Guard. She's an good character; her kinship with Punzie is something special and the contrast between their personalities is undeniably cute. Although, the rivalry she has with Eugene is pretty pointless. Both are one cynic too many and the fighting between them over Goldie is too...yeah. But considering what happens later in the franchise...that's not the case.
There's also Varian, the town's young wizard--I mean, alchemist who helps Punzie remove her extra hair problem by using his favorite things ever science and invention. I'm gonna say it--he's so adorable. His help to Punzie (yeah, I'm never doing that again)--Rapunzel, and his love of invention and SCIENCE! is super cute, along with his klutziness, overdramatic behavior, disregard for the consequences of his inventions and obsessi--I mean worship of Flynn Rider--with his meeting Eugene (whom he thinks actually is the real-life Flynn) is just hilarious. And his hair is pretty cool (goodness that stripe). I think he's my favorite side character in this series so far.
-Also returning in the series are Queen Arianna and King Frederic of Corona, Rapunzel's proud and loving parents who are still proud and loving of their daughter (and also voiced by Julie Bowen and Clancy Brown respectively). The Captain of the Guard also returned as well. And the eeeevil Mother Gothel also returned for more nasty mischief...maybe (she was in Rapunzel's nightmare...andtheendprobably.)
The animation is gorgeous; the fluidity is smooth, the movement is life-like, the many eye-popping colors are spectacular, and the designs of the characters and establishing locations is remarkable. The leads (and pretty much everyone else) look just as great in digital 2D as they did in computerized 3D. I love all of the animation and is just one of the many best parts of the series.
The series retains the charm, humor, drama and heart from the film. We now get to see it all every week in 22-minute form, and is perfectly sugary. From the theme song (nicely in-line with the film's music, which will also be done by composer and Disney mainstay Alan Menken) to the closing credits. The first episode "What the Hair?" is a great start-off point, with Goldie somehow retaining her long, strong, flowing, still-growing blond locks, with her (and Cassandra's) quest to find help in removing the spell that grants the (natural) extensions. The humorous moments had me rolling, the dramatic parts had me on the edge of my seat and the characters are still as entertaining as in the film.
This series certainly has the thumbs up from me. And it certainly has the thumbs-up from Disney Channel, as it already gave it a second-season renewal. I'm happy for this news, I can't wait for Season 2 (already?), and I can't wait for more of Season 1 (already!). As long as it keeps up the pacing and tone of the rest of the franchise, I'll be as giddy as Varian when he met Flynn--I mean, Eugene. This series is great for both the girls and the guys, as well as the rest of the family. If you love the film, you'll love the show. I guarantee it.
This has been my review of Tangled: The Series. And this has been Toony Tuesday.
Goodnight everybody, and may the good toons be yours...!
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