Disney's The Princess and the Frog

[dvdjunkie]

Almost 15 years have passed since Walt Disney Animation Studios have done a hand-drawn 2-D animation movie and they haven't lost their touch.

"The Princess and the Frog" is an amazing accomplishment in both animation, and story. While some adults find it very dark in its legendary "swamp voodoo" of the Cajun people, the kids love it because of the characters that are part of this story.

The story concerns a young Princess Tiana who lives in New Orleans in the Jazz Age, which brings us to the music. It is downright toe-tapping and wants to make you dance in the aisles of the theater, but I suggest that you go buy the soundtrack and do your dancing at home.

Using a voice cast that includes Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, and Bruno Campos as the Prince Naveen, this movie moves quickly and does not slow down one bit. Other voices you might recognize in the movie include those of Keith David, Oprah Winfrey, John Goodman, and a scene-stealing alligator voiced by Emeril Lagasse (yes, that Emeril Lagasse).

I have not been to an animated movie that generated the response that Disney does with this one. Probably the best movie from the Disney studios since "The Little Mermaid", this movie brought the audience in the theater I viewed this movie in to their feet with a round of applause when it was all over.

On the Junkie Meter, "The Princess and The Frog" gets a fully-deserved Five Stars out of five stars. It is top-notch entertainment for the whole family and perfect for this holiday season.

[Hedvig]

Finally a Disney movie set in the 20's. This looks like a winner, the first they've turned out since Enchanted, which also featured classic animation. There is a reason why kids love technicolor movies. I keep going back to the films I loved as a kid and find that what I loved about movies like The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins was for the most part the visuals, that was the biggest reason (among many) why those particular films stayed in my mind. So a movie that looks absolutely beautiful, as The Princess and the Frog seems to do, is going to stimulate the imagination of today's kids.

I'll probably see it on DVD.

[Larry's 66 Diner]

Two other things I noted when TC and I went to see this film a couple weeks ago which were especially a nice treat:

1) Disney seems to have a penchant for making films in which the heroine has only a father and no mother; if there is a mother, she is usually a wicked step-mother. This time, the heroine had a mother and no father. :huh:

2) The heroine, as well as the other pivotal characters that surrounded her, were Black. Stereotypically, most major characters of past Disney animated films (which I can recall) are of the White race. It is sure nice to see the major characters being from a different racial/ethnic background for a change! :thumbsup:

Congratulations, Disney Studios, for a job well-done! Several thumbs-up! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[dvdjunkie]

Thanks for those notes Larry. You are right, this is the first time that a Disney movie has had a predominantly black cast, and I also give them a BIG thumbs up for this latest Disney Animated Classic "The Princess and the Frog". :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[tclion]

I wish I could share your notes Larry. I want to say that it doesn't matter what color The characters are. I just like the show and the message it brings....

The message of the whole show was about finding a way to make your life mean something with out letting everyone do everything for you.
I will be getting this show when it comes out on DVD

[Larry's 66 Diner]

That's a good point, TC, but the point I was making was from a casting and historic point of view. :thumbsup:

[tinyhippy]

My 3 year old is patiently awaiting the DVD release. We took her to see it in the theatre and she loved it! The soundtrack was really fun and catchy too.

[dvdjunkie]

The Princess and the Frog from Walt Disney Studios comes to DVD on March 16. It will be available in the standard version and the Blu-ray version, which has a Blu-ray disc, a standard disc, and a Digital Copy disc.

This was an amazing film, and I can't wait to get it on Blu-ray.