The Princess and the Frog

Del Vecho, P. (Producer), Clements, R. (Director) & Musker, J. (Director). (2009). The princess and the frog [Motion picture]. United States: Walt Disney.

Genre: Family/Fantasy/Musical
Format: DVD
Age Recommendation: All Ages

I was originally skeptical about The Princess and the Frog, as the last few animated Disney films released have not particularly met my personal expectations. Yet after having now watched The Princess and the Frog not once, but twice, I can say with much assurance that I absolutely LOVE this movie. Taking place in New Orleans during the rip-roaring twenties, the film is filled with jazz, humor, romance, and strong moral values. Tiana is a hard-working, strong-willed, African-Americna young woman, working two waitressing jobs with the hopes of someday opening her own restaurant. Prince Naveen, however, is a rich playboy cut off by his parents as a punishment for his bad behavior. When Prince Naveen comes to town, he gets mixed up with the big bad voodoo Dr. Facilier, who turns him into a frog. The plot takes a twist when Tiana and Prince Naveen first encounter each other, and Tiana, dressed as a princess for the ball, kisses the frog prince (at his urging) only to turn into a frog herself! From then on ensues a tale of adventure as the two frogs flee from Dr. Facilier's clutches to the Bayou swamp, then set out to return again and save the day with the help of their newfound friends, Louis the trumpet-playing alligator, and Ray the warm-hearted cajun firefly. I recommend this movie for all ages, yet some parents might find the voodoo magic present in the movie to be objectionable, especially as the dark shadows that act as the voodoo spirits can easily frighten small children. Some stereotyping is also present within the movie, as the cajuns, depicted as fireflies, are characterized as unintelligent, backwoods hillbillies. However, the theme of good vs. evil is ever present throughout the movie, with good prevailing in the end, and all the while enstilling the values of hard work and unconditional love within the viewers.

Dargis, M. (2009, November 25). That old bayou magic: Kiss and ribbit (and sing) [Review of the film The Princess and the Frog]. New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2010 from http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/movies/25frog.html?pagewanted=print.

A more in-depth review of the movie, Dargis's review gives both negative and positive aspects of the film. Whereas he is appreciative of the fact that Tiana is a hard-working heroine, he also finds this aspect to make her somewhat of a bore. "Although she can be a whirlwind of activity, as when she balances multiple plates at the cafe where she works double shifts, Tiana doesn’t have the verve of the spunky little girl who bounces through the first few minutes of the movie. What she does have, like most Disney heroines, is a prince charming." Dargis also becomes somewhat disappointed with the fact that Prince Naveen indeed ends up being Tiana's savior, for she can not achieve her dreams without him. Dargis is clearly not sold on the film, as he counterbalances every positive aspect with a negative one: "Gorgeously animated with bursts of bright purple and acid green — the realistic lines of the characters explosively give way to increasingly jagged, graphic and surreal shapes — this number erupts early in the story, setting false expectations for the rest of the movie and its songs and animation. Despite some ensuing comic relief, largely in the hefty form of a musical alligator, Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley), and a snaggletoothed Cajun firefly, Ray (Jim Cummings), the film sags without Dr. Facilier and his menace." Overall, Dargis gives this movie a so-so review, yet I would have to disagree with him given the fact that it's a movie aimed at an audience of children. In my opinion, Dargis is over-criticizing the film, going too in-depth with details that despite his opinion, would undoubtedly capture the hearts of young viewers. I found Princess and the Frog to be fun and fancy free, staying true to the long-held traditional tone of Disney films, yet Dargis's review would communicate otherwise.