1. Mother Gothel showing a little positive attention to Rapunzel.  This would have added more dimension to her character.  Other Disney villains that show this are Gaston and Ursula.
2. Not have Rapunzel know the lights come out on her birthday; have her only feel an indescribable attachment to them.  This would make the reveal that they’re for her more grand, story-wise.
3. Flynn’s personality is great, but visually, I’m not a fan.  THIS IS 100% PERSONAL OPINION, but his hair style and little beard scream “douchebag” to me.  So, later in the movie when he admits to Rapunzel that his real name is Eugene, I was just thinking “obviously, you lying douchebag”, instead of “aww, he’s opening up, they’re falling in love.”
4. Compared to other Disney movies, I don’t feel the background visuals/architecture stands out at all.  Every Disney movie gives you a sense of being transported into a different world.  Tangled feels like generic fantasy ville.  In contrast, Wreck-It Ralph DEFINITELY had a vivid environment, so I know the company hasn’t lost their ability to do this.
5. The eye style is distracting.  I wish they had gone with the original toned-down design of this:

, 

rather than this: 

(see all that eye-white space?  Maybe that’s why Pascal is her buddy— he can eat the bugs before they fly into them)

Overall, I do enjoy the movie, but it’s one of my least favorite Disney musicals from the last two decades. 

Not Good Things:

• Rape is not cool.  I don’t enjoy reading about it.  And it’s just brushed off in the story as “these are the bad people, this is what bad people do.”  The gravity of the situation was lessened by the box these people were put in, which brings me to my next point,
• Why are all these brutish people brown?
• Oh, and INCEST WTF.  IN MULTIPLE PLACES.
• And finally, why am I reading about a grown man raping a 13 year old?  Yeah, she’s his wife, but SHE’S THIRT-FRICKIN-TEEN.  There was even this little blurb about her guiding him to having sex with her (which I think is there to help us readers feel better about it), but little girls can’t consent.  I don’t want to read too much into this, but from the way it is written, it sounds like the author is okay with this.. ew.

Good Things:

• Wolves, Arya, and Tyrion.  Yep.

I’m gonna keep reading, because it’s an interesting story and very gripping, but I might end up quitting at some point.  God, that sex scene was uncomfortable to read.  It still makes me cringe. 

“No?” he said, and she knew it was a question.  She took his hand and dfgkljslgjldkfgkldgdlkfjg “Yes,” she whispered as she sdklgjsdlkfjlskdjf.

*stabs eyes*

• Merida has a nice life and appreciates it.
• Merida’s parents have a loving, fun relationship.
• Merida groans, acts her age, and doesn’t want to rush into being an adult.  She has no love interest.
• Angus actually acts like a horse, not a human in a horse body.
• The witch is a refreshing take on the traditional witch, as she is neither good nor evil.  Same with the villain, Mordu.

I think this film is a good example for young girls.  It shows that you can love who you are, and that if you’re not ready to do something, you shouldn’t do it.  Merida makes a bad choice in the course of the film, but she faces the consequences bravely (no pun intended.)

We need more entertainment like this.  Girls in our society need these messages.  Thank goodness Miyazaki isn’t the only one dishing it out anymore.