--- title: "Tangled: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/tangled/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/tangled" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 22 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Tangled (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 22 reviews: 16 positive, 3 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics come away pleased, and the praise settles on the same things. The animation is the department most often singled out: the quality of the light, the movement of the hair, and the lantern sequence above all. Mother Gothel is widely called a memorable villain, and the horse and the chameleon are credited with stealing scenes. The broad view is that Disney has found its way back to the fairy-tale musical it used to make, with a quicker pace and a drier tone. The reservations gather around the songs, which many find serviceable rather than memorable, and around the banter, which some find glib, with the leads bland beside the supporting cast. The spread is wide. The Guardian calls it leaden and cynical, raiding weaker Shrek ideas; NME sees a dated throwback beside Pixar; Eye for Film finds it flat and short of wit. Oddly, the dissenters cannot agree whether it is too modern or too old-fashioned. ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 2 January 2011. This is the best-looking Disney film since Sleeping Beauty, with gorgeous light, action sequences and a modern tone that still feels like classic Disney. It benefits from strong character development for Rapunzel and Flynn plus a memorable villain in Mother Gothel. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/tangled-review/) ## Total Film — Jonathan Crocker Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 January 2011. Disney delivers its most enjoyable animated film since The Emperor's New Groove with this smart, emotional and action-packed Rapunzel retooling. It excels in mother/daughter dynamics, vibrant visuals and standout animal sidekicks. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/tangled-review/) ## The AV Club — Tasha Robinson Rating B+. 23 November 2010. It's a rambunctious modern fairy tale full of chases, smart banter and big emotions that feels like a Pixar product, with luminous animation and nuanced characters. The critic calls it a respectable coda to Disney fairy tales, done right despite familiar formula. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/tangled-1798166623) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2010. The film succeeds after a shaky start by balancing adventure, romance, and sweetness, with strong computer animation and memorable sequences like the lantern scene singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-et-tangled-20101124-story.html) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. Describes it as a resounding success with polished storytelling, witty scripting, and relatable emotions that appeal to all ages, praising the action sequences and uplifting moments. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-rp5nmp/tangled/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 November 2010. The critic praises the film's blend of classic sentimentality and contemporary elements in this Rapunzel update, highlighting its engaging storytelling, strong character work, and rapturous 3D sequences like the lantern scene. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/tangled/5020316.article) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2010. It's a remarkably sincere and heartfelt rendering of the classic fairy tale, a faithful adaptation and allegory for growing up that rejects sarcastic pop-culture smirkfests. The critic singles out the impressive 3D animation, music, and sensual awakening moments enhanced by the format. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/tangled/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2011. Disney has finally remembered how to make a proper cartoon with this joyous Rapunzel retelling full of action, humour, romance and show tunes. It updates the classic formula with contemporary mother/daughter dynamics while remaining satisfyingly Disney-ish. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/tangled-nathan-greno-amp-byron-howard-100-mins-pg-barney-s-version-richard-j-lewis-134-mins-15-2198231.html) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2011. Tangled revamps the Rapunzel story into a winning combination of naivety, optimism and spirit, with impressive animation, strong vocal performances and effective 3D use despite some image dulling. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tangled-3-d-kctglztjpd0) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 24 November 2010. It's a goofy good time with a jolly vibe of people goofing on the Brothers Grimm, full of felicitous touches and strong voice work especially from the villain. The critic notes it's no big deal but nowhere near as hard on the eyes as the Shrek movies. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2010/11/movie_review_tangled_is_no_big.html) ## The New York Times Rating Critic's Pick. 23 November 2010. The critic finds the film a tastefully modernized version of classic Disney storytelling, a lavish romantic musical fairy tale that updates familiar magic without losing its essence. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/movies/24tangled.html) ## The Telegraph — Tim Robey Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2011. The film offers a savvy sense of humour and serviceable songs while remaining a traditional romance at heart, with strong supporting characters and a memorable villainess. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8286988/Tangled-review.html) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2010. Old-fashioned storytelling prevails over sassy attitude in this revisionist Rapunzel tale, which is snappily paced with musical pizzazz but hampered by glib banter and uneven visuals. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/tangled-1117943999/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2010. The critic finds it a passably entertaining but not exceptional Disney animated feature, a hodgepodge of old and new techniques. He praises the villainess's incisive portrayal and the flawlessly prettified rendering of nature and characters. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tangled-film-review-42752/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 25 January 2011. The review finds the film brisk and witty but notes it veers between charming and glib, with bland leads, ultimately entertaining but far from classic Disney. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/tangled) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2011. The critic finds Disney's Rapunzel update leaden and uninspired, raiding weaker Shrek ideas and featuring laboured Broadway-style songs in what feels like a cynical money-machine. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/27/tangled-review) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 4 out of 5. 28 January 2011. The critic finds Tangled a strong step forward for Disney, praising its modern take on the Rapunzel story, strong characters, supporting voices, and especially the stunning visuals and action pace. Minor complaint about the songs not matching previous highs. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/tangled-review-2/) ## Collider — Bill Graham Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2010. The critic finds that Tangled successfully balances modernizing a classic tale with Disney traditions through strong characters, expressive sidekicks, fluid animation especially the hair, and versatile Menken score. The mixture of tones occasionally feels off but the heart and fun carry it through. [Read the review](https://collider.com/tangled-review-movi/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2011. It's a lively and fun swashbuckler with good voice work and striking moments, but the songs aren't as memorable and it lacks the heart and soul of Disney's best. Overall, shows the studio finding its way back to form. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a289654/tangled/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 November 2010. The critic finds the film pretty to look at but flat and lacking in character compared to The Princess and the Frog. Its earnest, straightforward fairy-tale approach is ultimately beguiling despite the squareness. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-tangled-is-safe-disney-princess-stuff-20101122/) ## Eye for Film — Amber Wilkinson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 2 December 2010. The film feels curiously flat despite its CGI and 3D elements, with missed opportunities and a lack of magic or wit in the script. Praise goes to the non-speaking animated characters like the chameleon and horse that steal scenes. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/tangled-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson) ## NME — James McMahon Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2011. The review sees Tangled as a dated, fusty throwback compared to modern animation like Pixar's, criticizing the formulaic elements, emphasis on the male lead, and lack of innovation, though acknowledging some charm as a signpost to Disney's lineage. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-movie-11826-320470) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/tangled.md