Dvd
The Princess And The Frog
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.
Starring Anika Noni Rose, Oprah Winfrey, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman, Bruno Campos
Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker
Written by Ron Clements, John Musker (based on the novel by ED Baker)
Kids, Fantasy, Family, Animated | 1hr 37mins | Rated (G) | Origin: USA | Official Site »
The Talk
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Flicks review
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4
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.
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The people's reviews
10 reviews
Press Reviews
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Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
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.
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NZ Herald (Francesca Rudkin)
4
Delightful, lively family fun.
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San Fransico Chronicle
The animation, sparkling and graceful, also ranks as the studio's best traditional work in ages.
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The Hollywood Reporter
Marks Disney's rediscovery of a strong narrative loaded with vibrant characters and mind-bending, hilarious situations.
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Time Magazine
In an amazing year for animation, The Princess and the Frog is up at the top. Go on, give it a big kiss.
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TV3 (Kate Rodger)
4
This is a return to old school hand-drawn animation for Disney, and it's proven already an excellent move for the House of Mouse with a film well-received overseas by critics and the box office alike.
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Variety
This cheeky update of a classic fairy tale boasts almost as many talking points as merchandising opportunities.
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ViewAuckland.co.nz (Matt Turner)
4
Disney's return to traditional hand-drawn animation is a hugely enjoyable fairytale adventure with likeable characters, decent songs and some great gags, though some of the scenes may be too scary for very young children.
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