Tangled vs. Frozen

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Which movie do you prefer?

Tangled
28
36%
Frozen
40
51%
I like both equally
7
9%
I dislike both equally
3
4%
 
Total votes: 78

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Musical Master
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Musical Master »

Disney's Divinity wrote:
Mooky wrote: Frozen > The Princess and the Frog (> Wreck-It Ralph :P ) > Tangled > Brave
This is how I would rank them, too.

I don't think I identified with Anna or Elsa as much as I did Tiana, and I think TP&TF's cast of characters is stronger (minus Louis), but Frozen is overall a much better film (music, comedy, structure, etc.) than TP&TF that I put it above it. Plus, a snowy setting is just more appealing than a swamp, let's be honest.
Same here, though for me it's like this.

Frozen > Wreck It Ralph > Tangled > The Princess and the Frog > Brave.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Avaitor »

The Princess and the Frog>Wreck-It Ralph>Frozen>Tangled>Brave

I'm still waiting for Frozen to come out on Blu-Ray before I see it again, so maybe the ranking will change. For now, I still say that Tangled's a little overrated, and Princess and the Frog is rather underrated.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by pap64 »

This was something I have been thinking about since I think until the next big CG animated musical comes from Disney, the Tangled vs. Frozen debate will rage on. Personally, it all boils down to personal preferences as I think both Tangled and Frozen are equally strong and equally flawed films that share more in common with each other than what people realize.

In addition to being fairy tale CG musicals, they are fairy tale CG musicals that take the classic Disney formula and try to re-invent it for the sake of the modern audience. Tangled injected self aware, cynical humor to its story through Flynn Rider, while Frozen took the classic tropes and inverted them slightly to make the story more progress and other than the established tropes of the Disney canon. Both share a lot of the creative talent, and Frozen exists because of how wildly successful Tangled was. Frozen and Tangled are like Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast in that both came off the heels of each other and people debate which one is actually better. Both Little Mermaid and Tangled are about Disney re-acquainting themselves with the classic formula while trying to present it to the modern audience, and both Beauty and the Beast and Frozen are about taking that same formula and making it bigger, while also making the Broadway influence bigger than in the previous film.

Tangled, in my opinion, has the better character development, while Frozen has the better story. Frozen is a very plot driven narrative where the characters are mainly there to serve a function in the story, while Tangled has a more character driven narrative as it all boils to what the characters want to do. Frozen has the better musical staging, but I feel it relies too much on the music to drive the point across. In Tangled, I feel the music is a bit of a complement to the story. As in, you could take the songs out of the movie and you would still have an entertaining story with solid character development. I feel that if you were to take out the songs from Frozen and the flaws would be more prominent since it relies on them to deliver a better sense of presence. Think about it...

How do we learn about the estranged relationship between Anna and Elsa? Through song.

How do we learn what each is feeling about coronation day? Through song.

How do Anna and Hans bond? Through song.

How does Elsa's character gets developed? Through song.

Frozen is a movie that relies on the song to tell the story, and I think the narrative would falter if you take them out. Tangled, on the other hand, has a lot of great moments that are not told through song, but rather naturally. Scenes include Flynn's first meeting with Rapunzel, the campfire scene, the whole scene prior to "I see the light", so on and so forth.

I've heard it say that Frozen is a more 'down to earth' film due to its tone and themes, and I definitely see that. Tangled is more of a warm, summer road trip movie where we have fun learning more about the characters. Frozen is a family melodrama where the source of all the film's problems lies in the relationship between Anna and Elsa.

Finally, both Tangled and Frozen have that one big element that make people either love or hate the film for it. In Tangled's case, it's the smug and cynicism present in its humor. I would argue that the smug and cynicism was needed in order to attract an audience that had become jaded to the whole Disney fairy tale musicals thanks to the likes of Shrek raising a whole generation of film viewers, and once they hooked them in they loaded the classic Disney charms in spades. But for a lot of people it became a drastic turn off that hurt the film for them. Frozen's issues is that it trues to both stray from formula while also sticking close to it, making for a film that at times feels uneven. There is also the Hans plot twist which drove people nuts, some because they feel it was a brilliant plot twist, others because it was a forced plot twist that didn't need to happen.

I already rambled on about how the two films are the same and different at the same time, but which one do I prefer? Tangled. When I first saw the movie in 2010, I was very happy. For years, all I wanted was a modern CG fairy tale musical that would compete with the far more cynical movies out at the time, and after waiting for nearly a decade for one, I finally got it with Tangled. I felt that even with all its cynicism and smugness, it's a very warm, honest and genuine film that gives us some of the best character in the canon. I also think it's a prettier film than Frozen due to both the colors and aesthetics and the heavy Glen Keane influences. Frozen was a movie that left me conflicted. So conflicted in fact that I actually didn't know if I had loved what I saw or hated it. Objectively, I can see why it has left such a deep impact in people, and why some would say it's a "better" movie. And after I saw it, I have grown to love and appreciate it more. But Tangled still wins my heart.

But like I said, it's all a matter of preference. It's like asking which one you prefer; boxers or briefs, hot dogs or hamburgers, summer or winter, pepsi or coke, Disneyland or Walt Disney World. You know, that it all boils down to what you want, how you feel about it, and how it helps you make your world a little better.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by thelittleursula »

thedisneyspirit wrote:I watched Tangled last night, and surprisingly it held up pretty good. It was the first time I felt teary eyed towards the end with Flynn's death and Rapunzel's reunion with her parents (that cheesy voice-over ending completely ruins it though). I still think the songs come out of nowhere, and don't really leave much of an impact in the film, but the story works.

But I prefer Frozen by a longshot. I guess it boils down to character, I loved all the characters and their interactions in that film, whereas I found Gothel overdramatic and Pascal very annoying. And Flynn's comedy just doesn't do it for me.
Yeah same here c:

Minus the Pascal part :c
thedisneyspirit wrote: Brave shouldn't be in there because it's not even a Disney film. :D Just a cheap film with Pixar ripping off Disney
Some people do prefer the Pixar movie over the Disney movie though.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by estefan »

Also, Brenda Chapman was one of the lead story people on The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. So it's moreso her bringing her own personal experience and storytelling techniques from working at Disney Animation to Pixar. Brave wouldn't even exist without her. I'm really tired of the term "rip-off" being thrown willy-nilly, when any small amount of research will tell what's a rip-off and what's a writer with similar ideas.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Disney's Divinity »

I didn't know Brenda Chapman was part of TLM. I knew she was involved with B&tB. I always did think it was strange that Brave came across as a (bad) reworking of TLM.
pap64 wrote: Both Little Mermaid and Tangled are about Disney re-acquainting themselves with the classic formula while trying to present it to the modern audience, and both Beauty and the Beast and Frozen are about taking that same formula and making it bigger, while also making the Broadway influence bigger than in the previous film.
I'm not sure... It's definitely arguable that B&tB has the better soundtrack, but B&tB really only has big Broadway numbers with "Be Our Guest"/"Belle"/"Gaston." TLM has that in "Under the Sea"/"Kiss the Girl" plus more essentially theatrical songs like "Part of That World" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls." TLM, like Frozen, wouldn't work without its songs--which is the way it should be if you're going to do a musical, jmo.

Although I would have liked Alan Menken to have done Frozen, in ways it was interesting to hear the Lopezes' work because it feels more modern. I just wonder if the music will hold up to the passage of time as well as most of the Menken soundtracks have.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

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Disney's Divinity wrote: Although I would have liked Alan Menken to have done Frozen, in ways it was interesting to here the Lopezes' work because it feels more modern. I just wonder if the musical will hold up to the passage of time as well as most of the Menken soundtracks have.
It's funny that you would say that because my older sister and I, when we knock on each others doors we do sing DYWTBAS as a joke. :P

I think if Robert and his wife continue working with Disney and to improve themselves, I think he could be up there with Menken as having great soundtracks from start to finish.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by rexcrk »

Easily Tangled for me. I don't know what it is about it, but it really hit ALL the right notes for me, and managed to become my third-favorite ever (animated classic) Disney movie, right after Aladdin and Lion King.

Frozen was great and all, but I vastly prefer Tangled.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Atlantica »

That was a really wonderful post pap64, a joy to read.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Goliath »

frankf3 wrote:For me, I really do like both movies quite a bit, both I have to side with Tangled. I felt Tangled's pacing was much smoother for me and it had the right amount of character development. Frozen's pacing isn't as strong and I wish Kristoff had more development along with his relationship with Anna.
I agree with all this. I think 'Tangled' had a better, tighter story. 'Frozen' is too much about going back and forth between the kingdom and Elsa's hideout with too little interesting things happening. Also, it missed a good villain, which 'Tangled' did have. The songs also were better in Rapunzel's movie, I think. Not to mention her character was much more fun than either Anna or Elsa and Flynn was infinitely better than any of the guy characters in 'Frozen'.

So I voted for 'Tangled' as my favorite movie, which I also think is the best Disney classic since 'Lilo & Stitch'!

ETA: what a fantastic post, pap64! Completely agree with it! Very well said! :up:
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Atlantica »

With people talking about the music and comparing the two in the debate, I was just thinking that in all honesty, can you really compare the two soundtracks?

Frozen is an out and out, no holds barred Broadway show in animated form. Tangled is a musical themed around folk music, with one exception of Mother Knows Best. It would be more comparable to have Beauty and the Beast compared to Frozen, as they are both created musically for the same purpose. If you compare The Little Mermaid to Beauty and the Beast, BATB would come out as a winner (probably) as it is a bigger and more expansive score/song set, building on the Broadway theme. Critics even said that in that year, the greatest Broadway show was currently showing in the cinema. That in no way belittles Mermaids score/songs, which I feel, is full of more intimate moments that make the score (for me) superior as I crave that in musicals; small, intimate moments alongside big belters.

I just started thinking of this when I was listening to Tangled in my car on the way to work; When Will My Life Begin (Reprise 1), which was ultimately cut from the film but remains ingrained into the soundtrack and score, is so desperate and pleading. Rapunzel is utterly defeated and drowned in her mothers overbearing 'caring'.

I've got my mothers love,
I couldn't ask for more.
I've got so many things
That I should be thankful for…
Yes I have everything
Except I guess
…..a door
Perhaps its better that I stay in
But tell me
When will my life ….. begin ?


It is just so heartbreaking, and Mandy Moore sells it so well. Again, she isn't as technically vocally talented as Idina / Kirsten but she doesn't need to be. The sheer emotion that breaks through in that song is just so sad. That's what I feel was lacking in Frozen; these smaller, intimate moments. For The First Time In Forever (Reprise) could easily have been a quieter moment for sure. It was epic and amazing in the film, but it could have been something a little more …
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Disney's Divinity »

I personally find "For the First Time in Forever," its reprise, and "Let It Go" all intimate, only the emotions expressed are bursting, and rightfully so. "Reflection" is a big song, for instance, but it is still very intimate.

They are going for different sounds, but it's still arguable that one actually succeeds more at what it's going for than the other. I will say Mandy isn't Katy Perry/Miley Cyrus/Ke$ha levels of awful at least, and Levi is worse than her. Moreover, I believe "WWMLB?" or "I See the Light" would've been underwhelming even if there had been better singers.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

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I don't get the hate for Levi. He was a good voice for Flynn and a good singer.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Atlantica »

Gosh Divinity, I don't understand the real dislike for Mandy? She has an interesting voice and sings her songs in the movie so well.

Personally, I find her vocal performance 10 x better than that of Kirsten; I find her so generic sounding that Anna could be pretty much played by anyone.

I guess vocal performance / singing talent are two completely separate things, but Mandy just ticks those boxes for me I guess for a Disney movie.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen

Post by Kraken Guard »

Slowly pops head in and whispers:
Wreck-It Ralph. :P

As far as Tangled goes, it...
Honestly, it just doesn't catch my interest.
I've seen it before, but it's just not really... Memorable.
It just doesn't strike a cord with me. :|

Frozen?
Everyone is praising it as the greatest movie ever, and I'm just sorta sitting here looking like Turbo after RoadBlasters got plugged in and thinking to myself: 'Hunchback of Notre Dame was probably better.' :P

Of course I can't bring up The Black Cauldron because everybody is very quick to poo-poo'ing that movie.

Oh, Black Cauldron. If only there was someone out there who loved you.

All that aside, I am interested in seeing Frozen, and I have a feeling that it'll be better than Tangled.

But at the same time, Wreck-It Ralph is still fresh on my mind, so...
As someone who hasn't seen Frozen yet, I'm going with the option that is...
... Completely absent. :P
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Tangled vs. Frozen: Which one is actually better?

Post by Angeldude98 »

Ok, before anyone starts jumping the gun, I don't know if there's another thread with this topic already or not, and right now I don't feel like looking for it...

That said, I'd like to see opinions on this subject. I for one loved Frozen, but I also loved Tangled. I think both films are great, though for me Tangled has a more moving story. Every time I see it I get choked up in certain moments, especially when Rapunzel reunites with her parents (maybe because I miss my dad who passed away, idk). Anyway, Frozen also has a good story, though as an only child, I can't say I relate. I'm also a romantic so I loved the romance in Tangled which is missing in Frozen. That, and the fact that it also doesn't have a truly strong and memorable villain are the only two things I didn't like about Frozen. I bring this up due to the phenomenal hype that Frozen has had, and Tangled didn't get. So which one is the better film? Just wondering what the opinions are, that's all... :)
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen: Which one is actually better?

Post by Old Fish Tale »

I believe there's another thread just like this. But, for what it's worth, I think 'Rapunzel' (I'll always call it that) is the better film.
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen: Which one is actually better?

Post by milojthatch »

Tangled. Next question...
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Re: Tangled vs. Frozen: Which one is actually better?

Post by Atlantica »

Tangled.
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