Tangled

Disney release it's 50th feature film in what a return to form it is.

Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard

Main Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman

Runtime: 100 mins

Cert: PG

UK Release date: 28th January 2011

Kidnapped as a baby and raised by the evil witch Gothel (Donna Murphy), Princess Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has been locked in a tower since she was a baby and about to have her 18th Birthday. Her wish more then anything is to visit the kingdom that she sees from her bedroom window every night.

When a thief called Flynn (Zachary Levi) gets chased by a horse of the realm towards her tower, he takes refuge in it and Rapunzel finally see a way out of her dreaded tower. She makes a pact with Flynn and with her trusty side kick pet chameleon the three set off towards the kingdom to see the land she has always wanted to see and live.

Number 35 in the disney cannon and probably for me the last really good disney film was Hercules, a very underrated film that had catchy songs and a fun upbeat story. Then began the downward spiral. Last year's number 49 - The Princess and the frog was a welcome return to the disney princess tale, following a decade of poor performing films. There were still faults with it and it certainly wasn't classic disney.

Here we are however with number 50 - Tangled, a re-telling of the classic Rapunzel tale about a princess with long magical hair that is locked in a tower, and what a joy it is. It is by far the best Disney film (not including Pixar films) in years. Not only is it smart funny rich in humour, but it's also eye poppingly beautiful to look at. The animation is super and although it is fully 3D it reminds you of the older hand drawn disney classics. Films like this make the whole 3D experience worth while.

The Musical numbers (and yes there are many) are fun and upbeat and have a quality that makes you want to tap your feet. The Characters of Rapunzel and Flynn are voiced perfectly and instantly likeable. For me, this is a perfect Disney film with enough adult humour to keep the older children and parents happy. Let's hope number 51 is as good as this.

Walt would be proud.

Rating: 5 out of 5