Impatiently dreading Tangled.

So I'm thinking about this upcoming Tangled movie. I've been following its development since it was barely a concept. From the start I was in love with the idea, looking forward to it more than to any other Disney movie in a long time. Yet when I saw the trailers (both of them) I was totally let down. Not by the visuals. Or rather, yes, but not in the way you'd think. The visuals look incredible:

Granted, not as mold-breaking as I thought they would be when I first heard that they wanted the movie to feel like an oil painting come to life (though some things get beautifully close to this effect) but that's because after a couple of years and some stunning concept art I guess my expectations were raised way too high.

No, it's about the characters. God, the characters. I've never seen characters in an animated movie that scream "STOCK!" more than those in this one, at least as far as the trailers go. Not only visually, but also personality wise. First there's that chameleon: your obligatory annoying little sidekick. Maximus, the horse, is just another version of Pegasus from Hercules, with the difference that Pegasus had a design that was fun to look at, while Maximus is Disney's typical tried-and-true horse as far as looks go. I loved Pegasus, which is probably the reason I hate this horse that is an unimaginative copy of him in his mannerisms and expressions. Admittedly, Pegasus's character wasn't that original as far as his personality went either, but at the time it wasn't something I'd seen overdone to death yet, so I enjoyed it.

And don't even get me started about that douche Flynn. Seriously, I want to kick him in the balls, he is SO annoying in the trailers. I can't stand to look at the guy. Maybe he's meant to give that vibe. I don't know. I just hope he endures a lot of suffering in the movie or else I'll be chucking something at the screen every time he appears:

Kill it.

Rapunzel seems like an airhead, albeit one who knows how to use her hair. I do like the fact that she doesn't seem weighed down by that MASSIVE amount of hair. This intentional disregard for logic is absolutely hilarious:

You may wonder why I complain so much about a movie that we've barely gotten a peek of in the trailers, but I waited for it for SO long, and the trailers were SUCH a letdown! I'm throwing my hopes down in a ditch now, and stomping on them, so that when I go see this movie (because I will go see it, no matter what the reviews say, having waited this long) I will have prepared myself for such utter disappointment, that it would have to be as bad as Howard the Duck for me not to enjoy it.

There is one factor that could make this movie my favorite in years despite what I've seen in the trailers: Alan Menken. He is my favorite Disney composer and one of my favorite composers ever. There isn't a score by him I don't absolutely love. Heck, I thought Enchanted was a pretty dumb movie (that, granted, had its moments) but it was Alan Menken's songs that made me go nuts for it, and years later I haven't grown tired of listening to the Enchanted soundtrack. Over. And over. And over!

I'm surprised the trailers for Tangled haven't shown any of the songs. And kind of glad. I do want them to be a surprise.

Agh, I'm filled with hope and apprehension and dread about this movie. More than likely I'm going to love Tangled, but until it's released I'll convince myself that I'm going to hate it, just in case.

-Marina