Classic Story, Animation with Disney Twist

The Princess and the Frog

film review

by Mandy Rodgers

2009

Rated: G

Director: Ron Clements & John Musker

Starring: (voices) Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jennifer Cody, Jim Cummings, Peter Bartlett, Jennifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard and John Goodman

            To keep things candid, I have been waiting with baited breath for Disney to regroup and make a feature film using hand drawn, 2-D animation since the 2004 misstep Home on the Range. A back to basics, classically styled film for all ages. Pixar’s growing list of films rethink animation as a tool for filmmaking and none have been short of phenomenal, but the hand drawn films can take audiences places that computer-generated images simply can’t yet.

            Several years ago, The Princess and the Frog began its journey to the big screen, and though the box office receipts are not earth-shattering, the film hopefully will show the need for this kind of animation in filmmaking and emerging childhoods. This special retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm story “The Frog Prince” revolves around Disney’s first African-American heroine as well, the young Tiana, who actually isn’t a princess at all—to start.

            Voiced by relatively the unknown (like much of the voice talent) Rose, Tiana is the first career-oriented heroine in Disney’s 75 years. She yearns to open her own restaurant in her hometown of New Orleans at a spot her and her father James (Howard) picked out years ago—fulfilling a dream they both had. She’s worked diligently her entire life and can solely focuses on the renovated spot for her Cajun-influenced dishes in the Jazz-era Louisiana city.

Tiana’s mother Eudora (Winfrey) is employed with the wealthy La Bouff family as a seamstress and nanny for the spoiled, yet somehow charming, Charlotte (Cody). One fateful day Prince Naveen (Campos) of Maldonia visits the Big Easy, and Charlotte immediately decides they should marry. However, unexpected turns of events happen—highlighted by evil Dr. Facilier’s (David) villainous plans—and Naveen is turned into a frog. More confusion surrounding Tiana’s identity occurs, and she too is transformed into a slimy amphibian, forcing the two frogs to travel through the bayou searching for a way to fix their current conundrum.

            The bulk of The Princess and the Frog is spent with the two protagonists unexpectedly slurping flies and leaping with long green legs, which gives the film a sense of two worlds in one—the talking animal land and the mystical human world. Though Tiana and Naveen are polar opposites and hate each other at first, of course true love blossoms during their journey with delightful comrades like Ray (Cummings), the romantic firefly, and Louis (Wooley,) the music-loving alligator. These two characters provide the most laughs and fun in the plucky, fast-paced fairytale.

            With Clements’ and Musker’s seasoned direction (the duo was responsible for The Little Mermaid and Aladdin), The Princess and the Frog succeeds in bringing a likable 2-D animated fairytale film to the cinema, complete with Randy Newman’s toe-tapping original songs that don’t just serve for simple soundtrack fare but help push the story along.

The movie’s main couple does not fit the typical bill of Disney legend, and I wonder if some were offended by Tiana’s misfortune and less-than-enviable position in society or Naveen’s skirt-chasing prince lacking the riches to accompany the title. I considered Tiana’s career-minded focus a refreshing and realistic change from the typical “Someday my prince will come” collection of heroines and Naveen’s flaws were actually appealing vs. too-good-to-be-true Prince Charmings, but others might not see it that way.

            Disney’s latest outing is no The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast, but it’s a great step back into the formula that gave the House of Mouse much of its acclaim. The voice acting is so practically perfect, Mary Poppins herself would adore the efforts. Also, after the beautiful yet downtrodden Up and the clever but apocalyptic Wall-E, kids are ready for a happily ever after story from Disney animators. All of the necessary elements of a timeless fairytale are there—approachable hero/heroine, ghastly villain, hilarious sidekicks and an amusing story to tie it all together.

Just like Tiana will join Belle, Jasmine and Snow White in the popular princess collection merchandise, The Princess and the Frog will easily slide into the Disney vault alongside the likes of Bambi, Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty.