147 – Tangled (w/ Ella Kemp)

See those lanterns in the sky? That means one thing: film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back, and ready to let down their (metaphorical) hair with 2010’s Tangled. And they’re joined by a guest who may rank among the Four Favourites: Letterboxd’s Ella Kemp! Together, they discuss the film that set the template for Disney’s 3D princess movies, debating the film’s musical strengths, its top-tier animal sidekicks, its status as an adventure movie, and the mind-games of Mother Gothel. Plus: the Top Trumps deck speaks on the film’s MVP, Ella comes with major Letterboxd stats, Sam goes deep on the extended lore of the spin-off series, and Ben poses a big question: is this Disney’s Taylor Swift era? When will this pod begin? As soon as you press play.

Next up: Winnie The Pooh (2011)

Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Zootropolis 2. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.