The Princess & the Frog (B or 3/4 stars)
Walt Disney animation is BACK after a lengthy absence. The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin - remember those Disney classics? Well, it looks like we may be entering a Renaissance period, as 'Princess & the Frog' is the 1st film since then to have made anywhere near a similar impact. This movie lacks the knock-out wit, storytelling, & characterizations of those films. But it's still well drawn, cute as a button, offers great messages for kids, & contains some fairly snappy, shimmy-in-your-seat tunes. 'TP&tF' is a retelling of the classic story 'The Frog Prince'. In this story, set in the jazz era of New Orleans, a hardworking waitress named Tiana must kiss the carefree (but nearly penniless) Prince Naveen - who's been transformed into a frog. Only this time, due to the nature of the spell cast upon Naveen, after Tiana kisses him ... she, too turns into a frog.
But before that happens, we meet the characters back in their roots. Tiana (voiced wonderfully by Tony award winning Anika Noni Rose, also of Dreamgirls) is a sweet, determined young black woman who works hard as a waitress; holding down not 1, but 2 jobs. Her life dream - encouraged by her loving, but deceased father (Terrence Howard) - is to amass enough $$ to one day open her own restaurant, 'Tiana's Place'. Her best friend, a blonde, busty Lotte (Jennifer Cody), has her own life dream; to marry a prince! For Lotte, her dream seems to be coming true, as Prince Naveen of Maldovia is visiting New Orleans. Unfortunately for him, this is when he falls under the voodoo frog spell of the sinister, conniving Dr. Facilier (Keith David).
The 1st woman he meets is Tiana, dressed as a princess at a costume ball. Figuring her to be a genuine princess, he convinces her to kiss him, but the results prove disastrous. Still, their fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious & poignant adventure through Louisiana's mystical bayous; where they meet Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley), a jubilant trumpet-playing alligator, & Ray (Jim Cummings), a Cajun firefly. With their help, as well as the bayou's blind voodoo priestess Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis) - who lives in a boat in a tree - can Tiana & Naveen avoid further mischief from Dr. Facilier, break the spell, & achieve their dreams?
One of the best themes presented throughout the film is juxtaposing Tiana's hard work ethic with Prince Naveen's laidback, easy-going lifestyle. She epitomizes the American Dream - working hard, challenging her class status, & reaping rewards. Meanwhile, he's never worked a day in his life, and is only trying to score a debutante (namely, Lotte) to further his riches. But by the end, Tiana & Naveen learn things about themselves that - not only allow them to fall in love - but make them better people. Much has been made about this film adding the 1st black heroine in the Disney animated catalogue. And I say: it's about time! Tiana is a wonderful character: delicate, yet strong; with inner beauty & verve. All the other characters are broadly sketched, but nonetheless adorable. Naveen, irksome early on, makes for a charming leading man by the end. Dr. Facilier is the perfect villain; showcasing his black magic in campy style. Oprah lends her voice to Tiana's kind mother. I really enjoyed Mama Odie in the strange 'fairy godmother' role. And my favorite characters were the hysterical, loveable Louis & Ray.
I loved the opening of the film; setting up the story, as well as the importance of time, place, & culture (a love letter to New Orleans). Randy Newman lends 7 original songs (one of my favorite aspects of Disney animated films) combining elements of jazz, gospel & soul. They're catchy, & work well within the movie's context; though, none of them are as iconic/memorable as other Disney's classics (maybe Tiana's "Almost There"). As mentioned, there's nothing truly outstanding about the movie. Some plot points/themes could have been taken out, & others expanded. But the hand drawn animation is sparkling & graceful. And for 90 breezy, old-fashioned, fun-filled minutes, I was entertained, if not enthralled. Wrongs are righted, love prevails, & dreams really do come true.
But before that happens, we meet the characters back in their roots. Tiana (voiced wonderfully by Tony award winning Anika Noni Rose, also of Dreamgirls) is a sweet, determined young black woman who works hard as a waitress; holding down not 1, but 2 jobs. Her life dream - encouraged by her loving, but deceased father (Terrence Howard) - is to amass enough $$ to one day open her own restaurant, 'Tiana's Place'. Her best friend, a blonde, busty Lotte (Jennifer Cody), has her own life dream; to marry a prince! For Lotte, her dream seems to be coming true, as Prince Naveen of Maldovia is visiting New Orleans. Unfortunately for him, this is when he falls under the voodoo frog spell of the sinister, conniving Dr. Facilier (Keith David).
The 1st woman he meets is Tiana, dressed as a princess at a costume ball. Figuring her to be a genuine princess, he convinces her to kiss him, but the results prove disastrous. Still, their fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious & poignant adventure through Louisiana's mystical bayous; where they meet Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley), a jubilant trumpet-playing alligator, & Ray (Jim Cummings), a Cajun firefly. With their help, as well as the bayou's blind voodoo priestess Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis) - who lives in a boat in a tree - can Tiana & Naveen avoid further mischief from Dr. Facilier, break the spell, & achieve their dreams?
One of the best themes presented throughout the film is juxtaposing Tiana's hard work ethic with Prince Naveen's laidback, easy-going lifestyle. She epitomizes the American Dream - working hard, challenging her class status, & reaping rewards. Meanwhile, he's never worked a day in his life, and is only trying to score a debutante (namely, Lotte) to further his riches. But by the end, Tiana & Naveen learn things about themselves that - not only allow them to fall in love - but make them better people. Much has been made about this film adding the 1st black heroine in the Disney animated catalogue. And I say: it's about time! Tiana is a wonderful character: delicate, yet strong; with inner beauty & verve. All the other characters are broadly sketched, but nonetheless adorable. Naveen, irksome early on, makes for a charming leading man by the end. Dr. Facilier is the perfect villain; showcasing his black magic in campy style. Oprah lends her voice to Tiana's kind mother. I really enjoyed Mama Odie in the strange 'fairy godmother' role. And my favorite characters were the hysterical, loveable Louis & Ray.
I loved the opening of the film; setting up the story, as well as the importance of time, place, & culture (a love letter to New Orleans). Randy Newman lends 7 original songs (one of my favorite aspects of Disney animated films) combining elements of jazz, gospel & soul. They're catchy, & work well within the movie's context; though, none of them are as iconic/memorable as other Disney's classics (maybe Tiana's "Almost There"). As mentioned, there's nothing truly outstanding about the movie. Some plot points/themes could have been taken out, & others expanded. But the hand drawn animation is sparkling & graceful. And for 90 breezy, old-fashioned, fun-filled minutes, I was entertained, if not enthralled. Wrongs are righted, love prevails, & dreams really do come true.