Director: Ron Clements, John Musker Starring: voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Oprah Winfrey Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes Theatrical Release: December 11, 2009 Shop for Princess and the Frog Merchandise

Plot Summary

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical “The Princess and the Frog,” an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. (from MovieWeb.com)

Film Review

A little late to the party with our review of Disney’s much-talked-about return to a classic hand-drawn style that has since taken a back seat to full-on CG storytelling. But what a better time to delve into a movie set in festive New Orleans, and featuring the studios’ first African-American princess. Here we are celebrating Black History Month, the Saints are just a few weeks removed from appearing in — and winning — their first ever Super Bowl, and this past Tuesday marked the annual Mardi Gras celebration made popular by residents of N’awlins. So when I finally had a moment to view The Princess and the Frog, suffice it to say I was certainly in the right frame of mind for a jazz-fueled adventure. But would my giddy mood be enough to get me through what amounts to just an updated take on an old fairy tale? In a word, youbetcha! (ok, so it’s not really a word…but neither is N’awlins and I used that already).

It took all of three minutes for me to realize this story was going to have a huge amount of heart and depth. The first few sequences establish main character young Tiana and her family as working-class dreamers with an understanding that dreams do in fact come true, but not without hard work. These principles were mainly set forth by Tiana’s father (James) who longed to one day own a highly-frequented restaurant in New Orleans. Tiana inherited her father’s passion for cooking at a young age and wanted to share in her father’s goal to own a successful establishment. Young Tiana would wish upon the evening star while holding a photo of an eatery scribbled with the words “Tiana’s Place.”

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An older Tiana literally worked day and night (working as a waitress for Cal’s in the evening and Duke’s in the morning) trying to save up enough money to purchase property to open up the restaurant. It was a breath of fresh air to see such a strong message in a Disney movie about achieving goals through hard work. No magic wands or fairy dust. What you accomplish in life is mainly up to you. This work ethic would become even more pronounced when Tiana meets Prince Naveen who had quite the opposite upbringing. Not wanting to give away too many plot details, I really just want to lament Disney for its foray into a very hopeful, but realistic storyline. Nearly every character along the way has their own wants and wishes, but in surprising fashion there are some mild to heavy circumstances. Certain events within the film may need to be explained to the younger ones.

Do not let my explanation of the underlying themes dissuade you from seeing this movie with your family. Make no mistake, Princess and the Frog is a triumphant return to glory for Disney easily on par with predecessors The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. The classic art style is actually a fresh look these days. After being bombarded with 3D this and Blu-ray that, it’s kinda cool to go back to a “simpler” time. It’s the equivalent of hitting up a corner lemonade stand on a Sunday afternoon. Pure nostalgia.

The colorful cast of characters introduced throughout is yet another classic Disney hallmark, right down to the all-important eccentric villain Dr. Facilier. You will love Louis the gator, Raymond the firefly and many other minor players. The chemistry between all of the personalities result in a big gumbo pot boiling over with witty and heartfelt dialog. But perhaps the most compelling character is the city in which the story takes place. As mentioned earlier, New Orleans is the backdrop for this tale — set in the 1920s — and it just about hits every one of the viewers’ senses. From the soulful jazz music pouring through the streets — a result of one of the best overall soundtracks — to the region-specific foods served up such as beignet and gumbo, New Orleans is replicated in its full stereotypical glory.

Overall, The Princess and the Frog captures the American working spirit coupled with dreaming big in a style which includes some real-life circumstances. It is a magnificent movie with firm messages about defining what is important to one’s self, and overcoming setbacks in order to achieve personal goals. Very inspirational. If you have not yet seen the film, I suggest you gather the family and take in one of the all-time Disney greats as the DVD/Blu-ray release date is set for March 16.

Also see – DTW Blu-ray/DVD Review: The Princess and the Frog