The writer-director duo who brought us The Little Mermaid and Aladdin are back with another sumptuous animated fantasy tale. This one’s based on a novel by ED Baker, and will be Disney’s first traditional 2D film since 2004. It is, of course, a fairy tale. The setting is New Orleans in the Jazz Age of the 1920s. Tiana is a waitress at the very bottom of the social ladder, until her life is changed by a talking frog. The leggy character in question turns out to be Prince Naveen, labouring under a spell cast by the evil Dr. Facilier. Together they begin a quest to get the spell reversed…
Big name voices include Oprah Winfrey and John Goodman, while Pixar’s usual go-to guy Randy Newman provides the music.
After dabbling with fruitless novelties in the early 2000s (Atlantis, Treasure Planet), Walt Disney’s hand-drawn animation department returns to more traditional fare in the guise of a fairytale. Where better to set it than in America’s deep south, a land rich in mysticism, where our heroes navigate ornate New Orleans mansions and swampy alligator-infested bayous, whilst evading devilish voodoo practitioners like the villain, Dr Facilier.
The Princess and the Frog is dazzlingly colourful and, considering the advances in computer-generated imagery in recent years, more than matches its contemporaries in levels of artistry. The painted backgrounds are beautiful, and the colourful details, whether the lamps of a paddle steamer reflected on the river or the purple plumes of smoke from Facilier’s arsenal, are vivid.
What stops this short of being a Disney classic, however, is the lacklustre music. Despite referencing Dixieland jazz and Cajun jigs, Randy Newman’s songs aren’t very memorable. The story, too, is fun but never thrilling.
But whilst it doesn’t reach the heights of Disney’s early ‘90s renaissance, The Princess and the Frog is a welcome return to form for the Mouse House and will be a holiday treat for children.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
that was a good my son liked it
goodo!
i really liked the movie not because i like it because you could see all the kids eyes stuck onto the movie it was outstandin
Love it
Seriously... This type of movie is so deadly original. I'm sure that other Walt Disney movies can improve. The plot is so simple, the animation too. Compared to other Walt Disney movies this is one of the works that has not yet made its marks to children's hearts. This movie does not provide an entertaining view but rather dull with an un-educational plot. Let's hope the producers and the creators of the film can improve their quality standards to create a more fascinating and amusing cartoon film next time.
The Princess and the Frog inspires memories of Disney's Golden Age it doesn't quite live up to, as I've said, but it's spritely and high-spirited, and will allow kids to enjoy it without visually assaulting them.
Delightful, lively family fun.
The animation, sparkling and graceful, also ranks as the studio's best traditional work in ages.
Marks Disney's rediscovery of a strong narrative loaded with vibrant characters and mind-bending, hilarious situations.
In an amazing year for animation, The Princess and the Frog is up at the top. Go on, give it a big kiss.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 31st Dec 2009.
Release date: December 31st 2009.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
