For the third year running, I spent New Year's Eve at my Grandparents' house in Kissimmee, Florida. Mom and I headed over to Downtown Disney to see the shops and lights and to go see a movie. This year's New Year's Eve movie was The Princess and the Frog. It was precious and adorable and had a great message about hard work, etc. Should I do a full movie review? Okay, I've got an hour or so before I need to start making dinner, so why not.
The Princess and the Frog- 2009Directed by Ron Clements & John Musker
Starring Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David
The classic storybook tale is turned on it's ear in Disney's adaptation, moving the setting from far-far away to New Orleans, Louisiana. A young woman with a big dream (Tiana) knows the importance of hard work when it comes to accomplishing her goals. When she makes the acquaintance of Prince Naveen (who has been turned into a frog), she agrees to kiss him to turn him into a prince on the condition that he help her get the rest of the money she needs for his restaurant. Unfortunately, she turns into a frog, too, and they must go on an adventure through the Bayou and discover that what they want isn't always what they need (Did I mention this is a Disney Movie?).
What makes this movie spectacular is not the story, it's the art. Back from the dead, this movie is completely hand-drawn animation and it is spectacular. I have missed this so much and when it started, I thought to myself "This is the first Disney movie that I've seen in a long time." While there were some hiccups in the animation (a layer or two didn't move like the others in a few shots), Disney animators still got it.
The shots of the firefly swarm was spectacular and the black-magic voo-doo scenes were great. One thing that was missing in this film that Disney seems to specialize in is a distinctive style. There seemed at times to be too much going on and too many ideas happening to really flow. Color schemes could have been a little better (especially in the cemetery, where everything is dark and gem toned, suddenly bright primary-colored voo-doo dolls pop up and they don't match at all).
The music was, as to be expected, amazing. Unlike the animation, it was able to stay true to one style. Disney has always been a master at their music, so it really was no surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dr. Facilier had, without a doubt, the best songs and was, for the most part, the most interesting and well-developed/ well-executed character in the film. It the entire film had looked and sounded as polished as his character was, it would win the Animated Film Oscar (Sorry...I'm betting it's going to go to Up! this year).
Overall, this is definitely a film worth seeing for anyone who grew up in the 90's/ misses the old hand-drawn animation feel of classic Disney movies, but don't go in expecting it to be the next Beauty and the Beast/ Hunchback/ Aladdin/ etc.
Rating: B
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