Title: Tangled 3D
Format: 4 Disc Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy
Directed By: Nathan Greno, Bryon Howard
Written By: Dan Fogelman (screenplay) Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (fairy tale)
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi
Studio: Disney
Film Rating: 
Blu-ray Rating:
Review by: Thomas Braaksma
The Film
Disney marks its 50th Animated Release with a reimagining of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel in Tangled 3D. Tangled carries this honor gracefully with one of Disney’s best films not released under the Pixar name in a long time. The film also brings one of the best uses of the 3D experience into the home.
Tangled is the story we all know of Rapunzel and her long, beautiful hair, trapped in a high tower with whom she thinks is her mother but is actually a wicked witch. There is, of course, the unlikely hero Flynn Rider, a thief that stumbles across Rapunzel while fleeing the royal guard after stealing the crown with some malicious goons. These characters are all done in typical Disney fashion, but there are some additional characters; a protective lizard that is Rapunzel’s only friend and a royal guard’s horse determined to capture Rider.
The story seems to be the same old prince and princess story Disney has been pumping out for as long as can be remembered, but this time they do it with a twist. It comes off more like a hybrid of Shrek and Beauty and the Beast. There is relevant, witty comedy mixed with the classic Disney storytelling and musical numbers. Granted, the movie does go a little heavy on the musical numbers, with about twelve throughout the film.
The 3D is what really shines in this movie. This is one of the first films that used 3D to add depth to the scenes instead of just trying to impress the audience with throwing stuff out at them. While there are those moments when Rapunzel and Rider fly out towards the viewer as they swing on her hair, that’s not what stands out. What stands out is when you are enveloped into this fairy tale world by the many layers created. The use of 3D for depth is what should make 3D last more then just another fad. Tangled pulls this off perfectly and does so without the blurriness that 3D movies seem to always seem to carry.
The Blu-ray
Tangled might be Disney’s 50th animated release, but they definitely didn’t go all out to celebrate it. The bonus features are truly lacking. This includes so-called deleted scenes that are really just scribbled still shots with a voiceover track. They also throw in a making of featurette and two versions of a storybook-style opening for the film, which ultimately were scrapped in favor of a fresher approach for the film. However, Disney does what they do best with this release, and that is to pack it with as many formats of the film as they can. There is the 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital Copy. With the transfer of formats going on this is a great way to be able to watch the film wherever the viewer is.
Tangled 3D ends up holding its own with Disney’s classics as it becomes the 50th member of their respected catalog. A flawless use of 3D and a refreshing and comical look at the Disney princess franchise makes Tangled a movie that fans of animated classics or the new breeds like Pixar will thoroughly enjoy. That is, if they don’t mind sitting through a handful of songs that might just get trapped in their heads whether they want them to or not.
For more info, adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled
Pads & Panels received a copy of the Blu-ray courtesy of the studio for review purposes.
