Term Paper Outline: Tangled

I. Introduction

1. Disney's Tangled.

2. Thesis: The universe in Tangled bends the laws of physics in a subtle way to give life to the animation while still being believable.


II. Body Paragraphs

1. Rapunzel's hair is 70 feet long, yet it is portrayed as much lighter than it should be.

A. Rapunzel is able to dash quickly away from the window while her entire length of hair is draped outside.
B. Rapunzel is able to hoist herself up out of the river bank while her entire length of hair is soaking wet.
C. Rapunzel is able to support her hair when it is completely braided, and off the ground.
D. The animators chose to make Rapunzel's hair lighter so that she can interact with the world uninhibited.


2. The thieves are nimble and lightweight like cats.

A. The thieves can scale the castle, and jump from tower to tower swiftly and soundlessly.
B. Eugene is able survive falls from great heights.
C. Eugene can make huge leaps and land on his feet.

3. Maximus the horse's actions are exaggerated to create comic relief.

A. Maximus visibly stretches when he falls.
B. He can catch Eugene without collapsing from the impact.
C. He can jump incredible lengths.
D. He is anthropomorphic. He can nudge, punch, crawl, and change positions extremely fast.


III. Conclusion

1. The physics in Tangled is carefully manipulated to create a world in which characters can interact in a way unlike any other medium.

A. If it were true to life, it would look rigid, but the animation is believable even though the physics is not accurate.
B. These characters could not exist in the real world. Rapunzel would collapse under her hair, and Eugene and the thieves wouldn't be able to complete the feats that they do.