Feeling that a reptile would complement Rapunzel's quirky personality, the directors ultimately decided to make the character a chameleon as opposed to a traditional woodland creature.

Meanwhile, Maximus was originally conceived as a very serious horse based on actor Tommy Lee Jones until the animators decided to make him a funnier and more likeable character.

The unusual decision to make Pascal and Maximus incomprehensible to both the audience and human characters with Welker providing them with realistic sound effects was inspired by the performances of silent film actors Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

"[2] When they were approached to direct Tangled in 2008, directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard decided that it would be best to update the story "for a modern audience",[2] soon discovering "that the problem with having a prison character [like Rapunzel] ... is that they don't have anyone to talk to.

[5] Howard explained that Maximus was originally conceived as a "pretty serious" character, but eventually developed into a funnier and more likeable horse as the animators continued to draw him with dog-like attributes.

[8] Analyzing the characters' roles in the film, HitFix observed that "There's a simplicity to it all that I admire, and you throw in a few anthropomorphized animals so everyone laughs a lot, and that's the Disney recipe".

Fearless in the face of danger, relentless in pursuit, and possessed of a nose befitting a bloodhound, this equine super-sleuth won't let anything stop him getting his man.

[12] The idea to make Pascal and Maximus mute was inspired by the performances of actors Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton in Silent films.

[14] Additionally, the directors explained in an interview with Orange that Pascal and Maximus' silence was also inspired by the roles of Princess Aurora's animal friends in Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959), following the film's rules and guidelines that even though they do not talk, they remain "very expressive" nonetheless[15] and "act and understand without words.

Because the original film "buttons up" well, the directors wanted to avoid simply creating a movie wedding featuring Rapunzel and Flynn because "that's not entertainment", so Greno and Howard conceived a funny story about Pascal and Maximus instead, providing the animators and writers with "an opportunity to do a lot of slapstick" that was mostly absent in Tangled.

"[25] In the short, Pascal and Maximus encounter "a trail of comical chaos that includes flying lanterns, a flock of doves, a wine barrel barricade and a very sticky finale".

Seeking refuge from Maximus, Flynn hides in Gothel's tower where he is quickly incapacitated by Rapunzel, and he and Pascal immediately adopt a love-hate relationship.

Determined to see the mysterious "floating lights" in time for her eighteenth birthday, Rapunzel agrees to return Flynn's crown to him only after he escorts her to safely to the kingdom.

In the kingdom, Flynn, Rapunzel and Pascal embark on a canoe ride to see the floating lights, revealed to be lanterns, up-close, while Maximus is forced to wait ashore as there is not enough room for him.

Pascal and Maximus encounter several obstacles and hindrances in their attempt, eventually crashing into a tar factor upon retrieving the rings from a flock of flying doves.

"[34] Kerry Lengel of The Arizona Republic enthused, "In true Disney fashion, two of the most memorable characters are animals: Pascal ... and Maximus, a barrel-chested horse with the tracking skills of a bloodhound and a sense of duty straight out of Gilbert and Sullivan.

[37] Similarly, Lindsey Ward of Canoe.ca predicted Tangled Ever After, writing, "Kids and adults alike will also fall for Rapunzel's trusty chameleon sidekick Pascal and palace horse Maximus -- whose hilarious role as Flynn's foe-turned-BFF might just earn him his own spin-off.

"[39] Writing for the Miami Herald, Rene Rodriguez described both characters as "terrific,"[40] while Alison Gang of U-T San Diego called them "hilarious.

"[42] Joe Neumaier of the Daily News appreciated the fact that although "There are laughs involving ... Rapunzel's silent chameleon sidekick ... directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard keep the tale grounded.

"[45] Norman Wilner of Now wrote that "the best performance is a silent one delivered by ... Maximus, a guardsman's horse clearly modelled on Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive – but funnier.

"[59] ABC Online "like[d] the way the animals were used", explaining, "They don't talk ... it really is funny", accrediting this to executive producer John Lasseter's influence on the film.

[60] Criticizing the script's "abundant chatter," Justin Chang of Variety commended the filmmaker's "shrewd decision to have the animal sidekicks ... express themselves without the benefit of speech.

[65] The Illinois Times' Chuck Koplinski wrote, "Throw in two animal sidekicks – wily horse Maximus and protective chameleon Pascal – and you have a film that, while not as moving as the Pixar movies, is a satisfying lark.

"[66] TV Guide opined that although "There's nothing particularly innovative about Dan Fogelman's screenplay", the author wrote that "a cute animal sidekick ... extend[s] to the visual aspects of the film".

[67] Similarly, Simon Reynolds of Digital Spy wrote, "This ride's a familiar one, but with humourous [sic] sidekicks such as horse-who-thinks-he's-a-dog Maximus and chameleon Pascal, it's thoroughly enjoyable.

"[68] Although Dave White of Movies.com strongly panned Tangled, he dubbed Pascal and Maximus the film's "Most Memorable Cliché", writing that the characters "are better than the movie deserves."

[73] Tyler Hanley Palo Alto Weekly, however, praised the entire ensemble as a whole, calling Rapunzel, Flynn, Pascal and Maximus "a thoroughly enjoyable quartet.

[79] Tom Huddleston of Total Film predicted that the popularity of Pascal and Maximus, combined with the success of Tangled, would ultimately provide Disney with promising merchandising opportunities, describing the characters as "tie-in toys you just pre-ordered in your head,"[34] while Keith Uhlich of Time Out called them "action-figure ready.

"[80] Pascal's likeness has since been adapted into a wide variety of items, including toys, decorations and ornaments, costumes, clothing, jewellery and cosmetics, as demonstrated by the Disney Store's website.