Plot: A Disney-fied version of the Rapunzel story. That's the short summary :) Yes, the one all the buzz is about. And rightly so.
Everyone keeps talking about this as a 'return' to the older style of Disney movies, and I can see what they mean. The sidekick characters, the little running jokes, the music (yay for Alan Menken!), being more story and less adventure movie (though there is adventure too). It's still got a modern touch (more little jokes than say, Snow White) but it's not Treasure Planet. And for sidekick characters, I liked the chameleon - his little hands were adorable!
I liked the voices in this one. Mandy Moore has the pipes for the musical numbers, without sounding too 'pop-y,' if you know what I mean. And even when she speaks, she sounds like a bubbly young personality, but not irritatingly so. I loved her bipolar reaction sequence to escaping the tower - too funny! The lead male is suitably fun and quippy, no Snow White's Prince here. (Favorite line: "You broke my smolder!"). But the one I really liked was Donna Murphy, the villainess's voice, Mother Gothel. I reeeeeally liked her song, "Mama Knows Best." She's won two Tonys, and the experience certainly shows! And as a side note, how many different Disney movies are there where the villain has the best song?? Just think about it!
Visually, it's beautifully rich and detailed. Like Sleeping Beauty, with the feel of old paintings or illuminated letters. It's CGI, not old style animation, but they didn't let the computer overwhelm the picture, if you know what I mean. Does that make sense? Something about the texture, I think...
Overall: 5 of 5. Beautiful animation, cute characters, good music. Kept me watching and I laughed out loud several times. One I definitely want on my shelf. And on repeated viewings, it might even rival Beauty and the Beast as my favorite Disney movie. Yes, I liked it that much!
And just because I liked the character posters for this one :)
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