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Rapunzel (Tangled)

Rapunzel is a fictional character in Disney's animated film Tangled (2010). Based on the title character from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name, Rapunzel is a young princess kept unaware of her royal lineage by Mother Gothel, a vain woman who kidnaps her as a baby to hoard her hair's healing powers and remain young forever. Raised in a secluded tower, Rapunzel escapes with a wanted thief who promises to help her see the elusive floating lights in time for her 18th birthday, in exchange for a crown she has hidden from him. She is voiced by actress and singer Mandy Moore.

Rapunzel

Tangled (2010)

Elisha Ainsley
(Tangled: The Musical)

Princess of Corona

King Frederic (father)
Queen Arianna (mother)
Mother Gothel (abductor and acting mother)

Willow (maternal aunt)
Cassandra (foster sister)
King Edmund (father-in-law)

Kingdom of Corona

Created and animated by supervising animator Glen Keane, the character was adapted into a less passive heroine for the film by removing her from the confines of the tower. The character was originally to have been voiced by actresses Kristen Chenoweth and Reese Witherspoon, who eventually left the project and were replaced by Moore. Keane based her personality and interests on those of his own daughter, specifically painting. Special software was used to animate Rapunzel's 75-feet of long hair.


Critical reception of Rapunzel has been generally positive, with critics complimenting her spirited, lively personality and independence. The tenth Disney Princess, Rapunzel was officially inducted into the line-up on October 2, 2011, becoming the franchise's first computer-animated member and the first European princess in 20 years, the last being Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991). Her appearance and personality have drawn much comparison between her and one of the preceding Disney Princesses, Ariel from The Little Mermaid (1989), by whom she was inspired.

Development[edit]

Creation[edit]

Veteran Disney animator Glen Keane had planned to adapt the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel" into a feature-length animated film as early as 1996.[2][3] Keane was drawn to the idea of directing an animated adaptation of "Rapunzel" because he was especially intrigued by the concept of someone being "born with this gift inside of her and it had to come out", which he found similar to his experience working at Walt Disney Animation Studios.[4] Keane eventually resigned from his position as director after suffering a heart attack in 2008,[5][6] and he was replaced by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard.[7] Keane remained closely involved with the film, serving as both an executive producer and Rapunzel's supervising animator.[7]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

Critics were generally positive in their opinions of Rapunzel. The St. Paul Pioneer Press' Chris Hewitt described the character as "no damsel in distress",[90] while Sara Vizcarrondo of Boxoffice described the character as "a spunky heroine who could infiltrate the heavily guarded princess canon."[91] Stephen Whitty of The Star-Ledger dubbed Rapunzel "a fairly capable young woman".[92] Bruce Diones of The New Yorker wrote that Rapunzel has "a sharp wit and intelligent concerns",[93] while Claudia Puig of USA Today opined, "Rapunzel is ... believable in her teenage histrionics".[94] Calling the character a "delight", The Austin Chronicle's Marjorie Baumgarten wrote, "Rapunzel is a spunky gal, capable of defending herself".[95] Sandie Angulo Chen of Common Sense Media wrote that Rapunzel is a "guileless, strong, and beautiful" character who is "so breathtakingly good that you can't help but weep with her when she thinks all hope is lost." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Cathy Jakicic described Rapunzel as a "scrappy, self-reliant" heroine who "can rescue herself".[96] The Scotsman commented, "the film doesn't ... turn [Rapunzel] into a simpering damsel in distress."[97] Describing the character as "innocent but (inevitably) feisty", Empire's Helen O'Hara enjoyed the fact that both Rapunzel and Flynn are given "decent character development" while "bas[ing] their growing love story on more than a single longing glance."[98] Similarly, the Mountain Xpress praised Rapunzel and Flynn's relationship, writing, "what works best is the interplay between the two leads ... these animated characters are frankly more believable and charismatic than the human ones in ... Love and Other Drugs."[99] Todd Hertz of Christianity Today called Rapunzel "fun, dynamic, and wondrous".[100] In 2022, Matthew Stewart and Paul Sheehan of Gold Derby ranked Rapunzel as the third best Disney Princess saying, "Rapunzel’s brief yet eventful journey, during which she changes from a naive child into an enlightened young adult, is fascinating to witness. The creatives behind "Tangled" deserve praise for molding a one-dimensional fairy tale character (who, on the page, is outshone by her imposter mother) into a dynamic heroine well worth rooting for."[101]


Jim Schembri of The Age gave the character a very detailed, positive review, writing:

Official page

at Disney Princess

Rapunzel