Rapunzel's Back in Tangled: Before Ever After!

It won't take a genius to figure out that one of my all-time favorite Disney animated films is 2010's Tangled. I fell in love with it at first sight with the teaser vids showing the adorable Rapunzel (voiced and performed by Mandy Moore). But after watching the movie itself, it became my forever fave. Aside from the wonderful story, the absolutely stunning animation (and yes, Rapunzel's cute bare feet are perhaps the best-animated peds I've seen in a CG flick) there was Rapunzel herself- such a lovable and engaging heroine, and the music, while understated, was sublime.

Well, good news for me and other Tangled fans then- about seven years after we saw Rapunzel and Eugene live to happily ever after, we get MORE. Premiering last March 10 was an original Disney animated movie entitled Tangled: Before Ever After. The film is set after the events in Tangled, but before the wedding shown in the CG animated short, Tangled Ever After (hence the Before...). I have to admit I was totally disappointed by Ever After- Rapunzel was barely in it (the stars were her sidekicks Pascal and Maximilian), and we were also in suspense to know if she, like many other barefoot princesses in past Disney flicks- became domesticated and started wearing shoes.

Well, wonder no more! Tangled Before Ever After reveals that going barefoot seems to be part and parcel of Rapunzel's personage, even without her magical, golden tresses. But then, as events unfold, her short, brown locks are soon transformed once again into the magical blonde cascade that we all now and love. From there on, it's a nice adventure that only opens up even more stories to come as the movie serves as the prelude for Tangled: The Series, of which Disney has already approved at least two seasons of!


The Return of the Hair!

 Some things remain the same- pretty much most of the voice actors from the original film return. However, it's quite obvious that there has been at least one major change- the animation style. Tangled Before Ever After and the upcoming series are both in traditional 2D animation. However, the character and feel of the original are retained since the lead animation designer is Claire Keane, the same artist who worked on and did Rapunzel's in-movie art and paintings.

 Suffice to say, even in 2D, everyone pretty much retains what we love about them in the original- perhaps Rapunzel's feet are obviously not as detailed as before, but it's nice to see that they kept them, instead of copping out and having her wear suddenly wear shoes (like they did with Pocahontas, Esmeralda and Kida)- Rapunzel's bare feet after all represent her innocence and sense of adventure. Perhaps when she's older, settled down and married, maybe then she'll put on shoes and live quietly. But that's NOT anytime soon. HEHEH.



Tangled: The Series begins airing on Disney Channel late March.