Okay. So, I have now seen the movie
Tangled three times. In a week. While I personally consider it inferior to
Frozen, I decided I just need to take a little pause to note the redeeming value in the movie so I could appreciate it more.
- Change -- Of course, who doesn't like it when the bad guy turns a new leaf and changes his ways? While it does seem somewhat unlikely that "falling in love" with someone else is enough motivation to bring about lasting change in a person, I think this aspect can point to a higher ideal. You see, change can be wrought out of Love. The movie focuses on human love but that's because that is the ultimate, pinnacle experience in regards to a "secular" or "atheistic" world. However, love between people is way trumped by love from and for God, Love Himself. The latter is what brings true and lasting change because it is not brought about by frail, human effort but is empowered by the Spirit.
- Perseverance -- I saw this little theme show up twice. First, the king and queen continued lighting the lanterns every year in hopes of her return and not giving up when it would appear that hope should be long gone. Second, at the end of the movie Rapunzel is wrenching free from the witch mother and tells her that she will never stop struggling but fight against her every day for the rest of her life. (I always inwardly cheer here :) ) Because injustice and evil need to actively fought against every day. Never give in. Never give up.
- Sacrifice -- Rapunzel and her beau each offer up their own lives for the life of the other at the end of the movie. I mean, it's a beautiful scene and an emotional moment -- such a perfect illustration of sacrificial love. They epitomize John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
