Tangled Ever After

Tangled Ever After (Short) was released in 2012 and is a delightful continuation of Disney’s Tangled (2010). It serves as a charming postlude with its own story, adding further depth to the lives of its beloved characters. The short film gleefully takes the viewer back to the whimsical kingdom of Corona, once again expressed through fantastic CGI animation and vibrant colours that are a signature of Disney sophistication.

Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprise their roles as the voices of the fair-haired princess, Rapunzel, and the endearing rogue-turned-hero, Flynn Rider, respectively. The fun-filled short film underlines the love story of the duo, focusing primarily on their wedding day. Entry of the slightly lesser-known yet equally memorable characters Pascal and Maximus, the royal horse, adds a delightful touch to the proceedings, but this duo is not just a side attraction this time around. They play a central role in the unfolding events of this enthusiastic story.

Tangled Ever After (Short) is built around an unanticipated hiccup that derails the otherwise picture-perfect royal wedding of Rapunzel and Flynn. Responding to their unassuming best of the best title of a "ring bearer", the chameleon, Pascal and horse, Maximus, find themselves in a chaotic whirlwind when they accidentally lose the wedding rings. What follows is a hilarious pursuit across the city to retrieve the precious rings before anyone realizes they're gone. The ensuing action is packed with dizzying, slapstick chase sequences and compromising situations that are incredibly humorous.

Just beyond the laughs, Tangled Ever After (Short) subtly weaves in uplifting messages about friendship and commitment. The lengths to which Pascal and Maximus go, in a bid to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch, underlines their loyalty and the value they place on their companionship with the human characters.

There is no compromise made on the animation quality, despite it being a short film. The visuals are as spectacular and detail-oriented as in the original movie. The same brightness and dynamic camera work that made the original Tangled a joy to watch are found equally in this short film. Every frame is exceptionally vibrant, enhanced with meticulous attention to detail - something that has become synonymous with Disney's animated films.

To enrich the narrative further, Alan Dale steps in to voice the Priest presiding over the wedding. Dale's melodious and soulful voice adds an element of warmth and sincerity that further eclipses the film's comic undertones. Each line delivered sounds perfectly intonated and captures the viewer's attention.

The fantastic voice acting is accentuated by the stellar sound effects and background score. The chase sequences would feel incomplete without the accompanying thrilling music and sound effects, effectively creating suspense and excitement. The familiar, soothing tunes from the original Tangled peppered throughout the short strike a note of nostalgia, tying the narrative back to the first movie.

Despite its short runtime of only six minutes, Tangled Ever After (Short) manages to pack in a lot of entertainment and emotion. Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard skillfully spin a story that is humorous, frenetic, and heartwarming. Simultaneously, they manage to maintain the original Tangled’s spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and unadulterated joy.

Tangled Ever After (Short) is an essential watch for every fan of the original Tangled, serving as a rightful love letter with a blend of action-packed sequences, humor, and heart-warming moments. It’s a testament to the filmmakers’ ability to craft a worthy follow-up to their popular feature film and forge deeper connections with the characters, even in a surprisingly short amount of time. So, even if it's for a brief return, it's genuinely delightful to be reunited with these characters and see their happy ever after unfold.