I've been awaiting this movie for quite awhile. After that long-ago announcement that Disney was done with the hand-drawn stuff a release like this is certainly exciting. And while I'm a fan of the Pixar gems, hand-drawn animation has a quality hard to match. Not only that, but the popularity of "Enchanted" suggested that maybe Disney fans are nostalgic for the traditional fairy tale story line and Broadway-style music.
That being said, this is not quite at the level of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King" in either scope or emotion. I realize that is a fine balance to walk for fear of becoming cheesy, but it seems that no one in this really felt anything to any strong degree. Oh, there were emotions and they were fair, but I think a little more passion in the characters could have given this story the "dash of Tabasco sauce" it needed for real kick. And there was plenty of fodder for emotions. Our new princess Tiana is a workaholic hell-bent on opening her own restaurant against all odds. Prince Naveen has been cut off by his royal family. Then they are both magically transformed into frogs. There is plenty to work with here. But instead we're left with a fun yet too-lighthearted romp through the bayou.
Some scary intensity comes in due time, though, and, SPOILER, viewers should be warned there is a tragic character death that ironically is one of the movies sweetest moments. I just don't think it's fair that bit of great emotion stood fairly on its own.
And then there are the songs. Oh, the songs. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Disney sing-along. But save for a few exceptions (notably the exquisite "Ma Belle Evangeline") they weren't much more than pleasant. Honestly, some of them were a bit cheesy with lyrics doing the character development jobs the plot and the characters themselves should have been doing.
Now to the good stuff and the reasons for my 7/10. The animation is pretty. I think it's nice New Orleans gets a Disney tribute. I found it to be a good and imaginative plot. The villain did not get as much screen time as he deserved, and I mean this only as a compliment (and how could one not love his freaky little voodoo doll companions?)
There's also the romance. Again, I wish there had been a little more to it, but I certainly appreciated what they had and perhaps that's the source of my craving for more emotion. I always love a good opposites-attract story, and who could be more badly matched than workaholic Tiana and spoiled playboy Naveen? They truly had some adorable moments. They are fantastic, lovable characters. In fact, the movie doesn't have a single character I found a waste of an animator. Disney knows its heroines and heroes and sidekicks, and here they are done well.
I also liked the way some of the more serious issues were handled. Yes, the story takes place in a rather awkward time and setting for a woman of color like Tiana. It's not thrown to the forefront of the story and much of the situation will be appreciated by only alert viewers. But, honestly, the one "serious" topic I noticed was the concept of money that might strike a chord with many in today's economy. Honestly, rich girl Charlotte seems to be the only one interested in love rather than money.
Slapstick humor has also made a comeback. There is a lot of physical comedy here that will have kids and adults laughing. It fits well with the charming characters and soon becomes comfortable in the film.
"The Princess and the Frog" is a fine movie that should please audiences and resurrect a love for Disney's golden age. "Beauty and the Beast" it is not, but it can certainly hold its own magic and I for one welcome it with open arms.
That being said, this is not quite at the level of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King" in either scope or emotion. I realize that is a fine balance to walk for fear of becoming cheesy, but it seems that no one in this really felt anything to any strong degree. Oh, there were emotions and they were fair, but I think a little more passion in the characters could have given this story the "dash of Tabasco sauce" it needed for real kick. And there was plenty of fodder for emotions. Our new princess Tiana is a workaholic hell-bent on opening her own restaurant against all odds. Prince Naveen has been cut off by his royal family. Then they are both magically transformed into frogs. There is plenty to work with here. But instead we're left with a fun yet too-lighthearted romp through the bayou.
Some scary intensity comes in due time, though, and, SPOILER, viewers should be warned there is a tragic character death that ironically is one of the movies sweetest moments. I just don't think it's fair that bit of great emotion stood fairly on its own.
And then there are the songs. Oh, the songs. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Disney sing-along. But save for a few exceptions (notably the exquisite "Ma Belle Evangeline") they weren't much more than pleasant. Honestly, some of them were a bit cheesy with lyrics doing the character development jobs the plot and the characters themselves should have been doing.
Now to the good stuff and the reasons for my 7/10. The animation is pretty. I think it's nice New Orleans gets a Disney tribute. I found it to be a good and imaginative plot. The villain did not get as much screen time as he deserved, and I mean this only as a compliment (and how could one not love his freaky little voodoo doll companions?)
There's also the romance. Again, I wish there had been a little more to it, but I certainly appreciated what they had and perhaps that's the source of my craving for more emotion. I always love a good opposites-attract story, and who could be more badly matched than workaholic Tiana and spoiled playboy Naveen? They truly had some adorable moments. They are fantastic, lovable characters. In fact, the movie doesn't have a single character I found a waste of an animator. Disney knows its heroines and heroes and sidekicks, and here they are done well.
I also liked the way some of the more serious issues were handled. Yes, the story takes place in a rather awkward time and setting for a woman of color like Tiana. It's not thrown to the forefront of the story and much of the situation will be appreciated by only alert viewers. But, honestly, the one "serious" topic I noticed was the concept of money that might strike a chord with many in today's economy. Honestly, rich girl Charlotte seems to be the only one interested in love rather than money.
Slapstick humor has also made a comeback. There is a lot of physical comedy here that will have kids and adults laughing. It fits well with the charming characters and soon becomes comfortable in the film.
"The Princess and the Frog" is a fine movie that should please audiences and resurrect a love for Disney's golden age. "Beauty and the Beast" it is not, but it can certainly hold its own magic and I for one welcome it with open arms.
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