Rapunzel - Newly Spoiled!

What would Christmas be without a new Disney film in the cinema? In 2010, the Mouse Company is once again bringing an animated film to our movie theaters that combines traditional Disney magic with modern 3D technology. And even after 50 full-length animated films, hardly any of the signature Disney magic seems to have been lost.

In the "newly spoiled" version of the fairy tale "Rapunzel", the story is told of the smart robber Flynn Rider (voiced by Moritz Bleibtreu in the German version), who has just stolen an expensive crown from the royal palace and run off his two accomplices. On his escape, he comes across a hidden tower - actually the perfect hiding place from his pursuers. But once inside the tower, Flynn has a painful encounter with a frying pan wielded by Rapunzel (Alexandra Neldel), a girl with long golden hair who has been in the tower with her mother Gothel since time immemorial and has never left it in her entire life. Flynn's appearance brings the big chance: she offers to let him go, along with his loot, which she has safely hidden while he was unconscious, if he accompanies her to freedom just once. For Rapunzel has a great desire to see up close, for once in her life, the beautiful lights that rise into the sky every year on her birthday of all days. What neither Rapunzel nor Flynn suspect: the lights have a very special meaning, which is directly connected to Rapunzel and her golden hair...

"Rapunzel - Newly Spoiled!" is a real hit. On the one hand, the film is technically on the most modern level. The computer animations are wonderful and the 3D effect, which is shown in selected cinemas, always comes into its own. On the other hand, the film seems somehow old-fashioned in a pleasant way, bringing with it all the set pieces that have made Disney's animated films so successful for decades: a fairy-tale story, of course, with a beautiful princess and a smart hero, lovable animal companions, lots of catchy songs and child-friendly humor without big rough edges. The very free interpretation admittedly no longer has much in common with the classic fairy tale of the Brothers Grimm, but that doesn't really have a negative impact.

On the contrary: even if the framework of the story is familiar and familiar, the film as a whole seems fresh and charming. It's clear to note that John Lasseter, one of Pixar's most creative minds, had a hand in this as a producer, bringing a bit of the genius that still seems fresh to Disney even after all these years. While the characters are drawn to clear Disney specifications (both figuratively and literally), they still don't come across as fuddy-duddy or unimaginative, just charming and endearing.

The same goes for the songs (though this review refers to the original English version), penned by Alan Menken ("Arielle the Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast"). Yes, the songs are very cheesy at times, but that's just the way it has to be. The songs are all catchy and fit seamlessly into the action, becoming part of the story. It's nice to see an animated film again where not all the characters end up dancing to a modern pop song, but for which new songs have been composed in the best Disney tradition. And even if many children are no longer used to these musical-like interludes - perhaps one reason why the enchanting "Kiss den Frosch" did surprisingly poorly - it would be more than desirable for "Rapunzel - Neu verföhnt!" to succeed in storming the cinema charts worldwide. Even if Disney's animated films are not the most original and there are many animated works that are more clever and appeal better to an older audience, films like "Rapunzel - Neu verföhnt!" with their childlike naivety are simply wonderful and should stay with us as long as possible. Because alone such incredibly funny characters as the chameleon Pascal, blessed with a great protective instinct, or the dutiful horse Maximus make a visit to the cinema - not only for children - absolutely recommendable - both in 3D, as well as in the traditional 2D version. The perfect film for the Christmas season and therefore definitely worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp