Movies for a Cozy Night in: Tangled

     Have you ever gone through the week telling yourself that you would do something fun over the weekend? You make mental notes about going out when you’re suffering through homework, or trying to listen in class - at pretty much any slow point in a day. But when Friday finally comes, you are so tired that it seems more appropriate to cozy up to some Netflix or a DVD. If this happens to you, know that you are not alone. In fact, there is a long list of movies that are perfect to watch under these circumstances. One of my personal favorites is Disney’s Tangled.

     Based on the popular German fairytale about a long-haired princess named Rapunzel, Tangled is a modern take on the classic that is fast-paced, funny, and full of magic. The movie centers on the young and restless Rapunzel as she approaches her eighteenth birthday. She has been held captive in a tower her whole life by Mother Gothel, a woman who is only using her for her hair’s magical regenerative powers. Rapunzel’s hair has kept Mother Gothel alive and young for years, but her youth is threatened when Rapunzel leaves with a wanted bandit named Flynn Rider in pursuit of a lifelong wish – to see the floating stars that appear each year on her birthday.

     The movie’s simple plot allows room for tons of comedy and action, both of which come as a pleasant surprise, considering the romantic story it is based on. I am usually hooked by the comedy before Rapunzel even leaves the tower. For example, Pascal, her spunky chameleon friend, never fails to amuse with his instinctive disdain for Flynn Rider. The film is packed with action sequences as well, including a high speed chase on a faulty dam. Each fight, chase, and tumble is heightened by skillful scoring and realistic special effects. The water in the dam scene is so detailed that one can almost feel it.  Lastly, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, the voices of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, are convincing and relatable in their roles. The dialogue between these characters is refreshingly candid.

     All in all, Tangled is the perfect movie to watch after an exhausting week. The action, comedy, and modern characters really spice up the traditional romantic story, making it the complete package. I would rate it five stars because it is truly entertainment for everyone.

by: Jasmine Benjamin