An animated apocalypse waits around the corner: Disney aims to break from princesses. But the shimmering dresses & typical tiaras went out with a THX “Bang!” Their last princess film, Tangled, pays homage to Rapunzel’s predecessors, showing definitive scenes and snide insinuations which remind us of our favorite childhood crowns.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Tangled displays alternative families as unacceptable again, retraining the Evil Stepmother stereotype to fit the mold of the Evil Fake Mother. Mother Gothel represents every shred of negativity from the potential perspective of an embittered daughter. When Mother Gothel (voiced by Donna Murphy) leaves to gather Rapunzel’s birthday present, she puts ripe apples in a basket and wears a cape with a hood, reminiscent of the disguise the Queen uses to trick Snow White. & the grandiose oval mirror Mother looks into as she belittles Rapunzel recalls the Queen’s magic mirror.
Cinderella (1950)
The obvious Cinderella similarity would be – can you guess? – cleaning house. As Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore -- once a Disney star, always a Disney star) sings “When Will My Life Begin,” she explains her daily routine: “start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean/Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up.” Of course, the difference lies in the rest of their days. Cinderella’s entire day consists of cleaning, as per her role of servant; Rapunzel, our Renaissance princess, only cleans from 7 till 7:15am, and then reads, knits, paints, climbs and enjoys all manner of other hobbies. Cinderella’s enslaved to servitude; Rapunzel’s enslaved to anonymity.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Tangled harkens back to our original princess with a magical secret, Ariel, during the protagonist’s first kiss attempt. As Flynn and Rapunzel share a magical moment (accompanied by song, of course – this is Disney) in a rowboat on the water, they fall into each others’ eyes, realizing their love, and just as they prepare for a kiss – girl’s eyes close, both start to pucker – the villain’s twin sidekicks happen on the scene, tapping the intimacy out of the moment like ashes falling from a cigarette butt. Sound familiar?
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
When Rapunzel first leaves her tower, she swirls in the aromas of grass and dirt, embracing the earth as she looks up to see a dandelion’s seeds floating away from its stem – almost an exact replica of Belle’s dandelion scene on the hillside.
Another comparison can be drawn between Rapunzel’s first meeting with Flynn Rider and Belle’s first meeting with the Beast, with reversed gender roles. Rapunzel slinks out of the darkness, holding her frying pan menacingly; the Beast shows himself to Belle the same way, walking out from the darkness until his horrific form is in full light. Tangled certainly makes fun of the situation’s gravity – Flynn’s entirely at a dangerous stranger’s whim, just as Belle was, but instead of responding in terror and resignation, he responds with flirtation and anticipation. Patronizing female abusers while deifying male abusers? A whole new conversation. (Overacting, for the adults'/parents' humor benefits, pervades this film -- & I enthusiastically, with jaw dropped, grin strong & arms waving, thank Disney.)
Aladdin (1992)
Flynn Rider learned his moves from Aladdin. When we first meet the dashing love interest, he’s jumping from building to building like he’s a character in Assassin’s Creed. His parkour moves, his thievery and his charm links back to our favorite street thief. Flynn’s knavish smile even reminds us of Aladdin’s dashing grin.
In addition, they used the exact phrase “it’s crystal clear” in the lyrics for both films’ romantic ballad: Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” and Tangled’s “I See the Light.”
Of course, there’s still Sleeping Beauty (1959), Pocahontas (1995), Mulan (1998) and recent debut The Princess and the Frog (2010) to search for amidst the CGI adventures of Tangled. Apparently, my eye requires a second Tangled viewing.
Gamer Bonus
Weapon of choice. Frying pan. Princess Peach. Right down to the pink dress with white arms.
Nerd Bonus - Spoiler!
Good guys triumph over bad guys – not much of a spoiler, but the warning must be made for good form. During Mother’s final death throes, she pulls her black hood over her head, wails her terrible death rattle and tumbles out of the tower’s window in a cartoonish simulation of the Emperor’s death in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
