Erin and Rachel discuss Tangled (2010), the 50th animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and one of Rachel’s favorites. Based on the fairytale of Rapunzel, this coming-of-age tale features songs from Disney veteran Alan Menken and impressive computer animation. Although Erin and Rachel disagree about the viability of the romantic plot, they agree that Mother Gothel is an effective villain and Pascal is a delightful sidekick.

Deconstructing Disney

[email protected] (Erin Westin, Rachel Casey)

Tangled

APR 22, 2026120 MIN
Deconstructing Disney

Tangled

APR 22, 2026120 MIN

Description

Episode Summary Erin and Rachel discuss Tangled (2010), the 50th animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and one of Rachel’s favorites. Based on the fairytale of Rapunzel, this coming-of-age tale features songs from Disney veteran Alan Menken and impressive computer animation. Although Erin and Rachel disagree about the viability of the romantic plot, they agree that Mother Gothel is an effective villain and Pascal is a delightful sidekick. Episode References 羽静. (2014, August 4). Imagining Disney's Tangled (Full Documentary). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaeG79Y0-GM Afonasina, S. (2013). Tangled Gender Issues. Overthinking It. https://www.overthinkingit.com/2013/03/18/tangled-gender-issues/ Amin, S. (2024). Feminist witnessing: Everywhere all at once: Coercive control and the impacts of feminist law reform efforts on popular culture. Australian Feminist Law Journal, 50(1), 49-64. doi: 10.1080/13200968.2024.2366776 Behrendt, M. (2022). “That’s how you know he’s your love”: The male singing voice and Disney’s (re)interpretation of the male romantic lead. Sound Stage Screen, 2(2), 5-32. Brew, S. (2015, January 21). Exclusive: why Disney never made Tangled 2. Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/exclusive-why-disney-never-made-tangled-2/ Burlingame, J. (2010, November 10). Alan Menken: ‘Tangled’ up in cues. Variety. https://variety.com/2010/digital/news/alan-menken-tangled-up-in-cues-1118027102/ Carter, C. (2013). An Analysis of the Character Animation in Disney’s Tangled. Senses of Cinema, (67). https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2013/feature-articles/an-analysis-of-the-character-animation-in-disneys-tangled/ Catmull, E., & Wallace, A. (2014). Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration. Random House Publishing Group. Chang, J. (2010, November 7). Tangled. Variety. https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/tangled-1117943999/ Culturesmash. (2011, March 27). 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Animation Director Glen Keane Exclusive Interview TANGLED. Collider. https://collider.com/glen-keane-interview-tangled/ Greno, N., & Howard, B. (Directors). (2010). Tangled [Film]. Walt Disney Animation Studios. Hammond, P. (2010, September 9). Oscar's Animation Race Just Got 'Tangled'. Deadline. https://deadline.com/2010/09/oscars-animation-race-just-got-tangled-66061/ Hill, J. (2005, November 3). “Rapunzel Unbraided” gets retooled. Jim Hill Media. https://limegreen-loris-912771.hostingersite.com/rapunzel-unbraided-gets-retooled/ Kapurch, K. (2015). Rapunzel loves Merida: Melodramatic expressions of lesbian girlhood and teen romance in Tangled, Brave, and femslash. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 19(4), 436-453. doi: 10.1080/10894160.2015.1057079 Komaniecki, R. [@Komaniecki_R]. (2024, June 17). I've spent weeks listening to every single song from every single Disney animated musical… [Post]. X. https://x.com/Komaniecki_R/status/1802808419587616924 Kurtti, J. (2015). The Art of Tangled. Chronicle Books LLC. The Late Late Show with James Corden. (2021, December 7). Zachary Levi Faked Being British To Land Disney Role. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrNmXftckMg Markovitz, A. (2010, November 24). How did Rapunzel become 'Tangled'? Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard set the record straight. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2010/11/24/tangled-rapunzel-nathan-greno-byron-howard/ McCarthy, T. (2010, November 7). 'Tangled' – Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tangled-film-review-42752/ Minow, N. (2013, January 10). Interview: Glen Keane of ‘Tangled’. Belief Net. https://web.archive.org/web/20130110021537/http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2010/11/interview-glen-keane-of-tangle.html Miraudo, S. (2010, December 27). Interview: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard; directors of Tangled. Quickflix. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811035447/http://blog.quickflix.com.au/2010/12/27/interview-nathan-greno-and-byron-howard-directors-of-tangled/ Paluso, M. (2011, March 29). Once Upon a Time. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2011/03/onceupon/ Porluciernagas (2013, October 29). In brightest day: The emotional abuse of Tangled [Blogpost]. Lady Geek Girl and friends. https://ladygeekgirl.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/in-brightest-day-the-emotional-abuse-of-tangled/ Rockwood, M. (2023, April 24). Antisemitism in fantasy and fair tales. Rockwood Editing. https://www.rookwoodediting.com/post/antisemitism-in-fantasy-and-fairy-tales Roundtable Interview with Glen Keane – March 17, 2011. (2011, March 17). DAPs Magic. https://web.archive.org/web/20120921063943/http://www.dapsmagic.com/geekscorner/geek-links/daps-magic-interviews/roundtable-interview-with-glen-keane-march-17-2011/ Scott, A. O. (2010, November 23). ‘Tangled,’ the New Old-Fashioned Disney - Review. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/movies/24tangled.html Tujare, K. (2022). Rapunzel, Rapunzel, has finally let down her hair!: The feminist evolution of “Rapunzel” from the nineteenth century to the twenty-first century. Bookbird, 60(1), 77-85. doi: 10.1353/bkb.2022.0007 Full bibliography available here.