The first traditionally animated feature film from Disney since 2002's Home on the Range (and more importantly to little girls, the first to feature a new Disney princess since 1998's Mulan), The Princess and the Frog is a well crafted return to this cherished form of animation. While the film has its flaws and isn't playing on the same level of Beauty and the Beast or Sleeping Beauty, it's a step above more recent Disney 'toons like Hercules or Tarzan.
Co-directed and written by Ron Clements and John Musker, the same duo behind the better realized The Little Mermaid and the lesser Treasure Planet, you can tell that more careful consideration of creative planning went into Princess and the Frog than the animated Disney films from the latter half of the 1990s and early 2000s. While the Disney think tank was careful to not venture too far from the ingredients that have faired the best for their films -- the beautiful young princess, her handsome prince, a memorable villain and talking animal characters for comic relief -- there's also some chances taken. Much attention was given to the decision to make Princess Tiana, the film's heroine, the first Disney princess of African-American heritage but when you sit down and watch the film it's Tiana's spirited character and self-determination that quickly steals the spotlight. Even though the setting is 1920s New Orleans, Tiana embodies the characteristics of a modern young woman, one that's capable of taking the reigns of her destiny in her hands and doesn't need a man to find her way to happiness. It's a clear sign that the evolution of the Disney princess has continued on from Mulan and the message is clear: Disney gets it that little girls need to have some role models that aren't waiting for their Prince Charming to show up to be happy.
But even with those strong traits Tiana does come to learn that there can be room in her life for love. The actual mechanicals of how Tiana and her beau, the voodoo cursed Prince Naveen, fall in love do feel rushed and not on particularly solid ground, but if you're a little girl or a parent of one this weakness can be forgiven in favor of the film's other strengths.
At the top of this list is the film's wonderful art and character design by Ian Gooding and James Aaron Finch. In this version of New Orleans it's always a magic golden hue, communicating a warmth and friendliness that one wants to believe really existed like this. A close second is the creation of a great villain in the form of Dr. Facilier, the black magic practitioner voiced by Keith David. In particular there's a truly mesmerizing musical sequence in Facilier's summoning room between the doctor and Naveen that's an explosion of color and phantasmorical imagery that feels like an homage to Charming's battle with the Maleficent dragon in Sleeping Beauty.
All of the cast does an above-average job of voicing their characters. There's no weak links here, no celebrity casting that falls short (and that's including Oprah Winfrey's quick turn as Tiana's mother.) Along with Keith the other two voice standouts are Jim Cumming as Ray, the bayou firefly that has romantic feelings for a star in the sky, and Jennifer Cody as Charlotte, the rich and spoiled best friend of Tiana. It's easy to see why Cody won an Annie award for her work here; even in a supporting role every line that she delivers as Charlotte is memorable and full of southern spice and charm. It's also testament to Clements, Musker and Cody that you don't hate Charlotte for her imperfections, nor does her character arc end with a lesson served to her. It's a maturity that's not often seen for supporting characters in any animated films regardless of what studio puts them out.
I'd also be remiss to not mention a strong emotional surprise that comes late in the film and to the character of Ray. It's been a long time since a Disney animated film has made this kind of story point with one of its supporting characters, and the way that the filmmakers are able to turn your emotions around 180 degrees in the space of three minutes really took me for surprise. And while this kind of tug-at-your-heart-strings moment isn't new for Disney, it's something that the films made during the studio's second golden age of animation haven't had the nerve to do. Here, it works well.
The Princess and the Frog DVD release is different in that Disney chose to release the Blu-ray and standard format DVD together in one (along with a digital copy of the film on a third disc.) It's a welcome marketing decision, one that consumers like myself appreciate since I haven't made the plunge to buy a Blu-ray player yet. Typically, there's a good spread of bonus features are on the Blu that you can't play on the standard DVD. A commentary track by the directors is also included and a "Princess Portraits" game will give your kids another reason to play with the disc after they've finished watching the movie.
While The Princess and the Frog didn't turn out to be the anticipated return to animation greatness for Disney it's a solid little film that I think will gain a better appreciation with time. Maybe it's not a classic but it's certainly not a dud either.
[Buy The Princess and the Frog on DVD]
Review Score: 75 / 100
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emanthia
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Posted: 14 years 43 weeks ago
Thanks for writing this review. As someone who recently worked at Disney and had early viewings of this film, I hadn't seen the whole thing until this past weekend on DVD. I agree that this film may not have returned Disney to the height of classic animation (Pixar seems to be charging ahead of the Disney Animation Studios), but I honestly do believe it will get more and more recognition as it ages. Not because of its animation nor its script (like you pointed out, it has its issues), but because of its maturity and ability to handle sensitive issues with such skill without ignoring or running from issues with fear of how the audience will take it.
Tiana is a great character. What makes her historical is not simply because she's the first Disney African American princess - but it's because this very fact becomes secondary not only to the story but to the character herself. In a time when a young African American woman would have surely struggled to open a business, she shows determination, hard work and will (despite a utopian view point of the era in the film) will get you far. Some say this sets up an unrealistic expectation in little girls everywhere, but it's that very thought that keeps them down. Sure, Tiana gets what she wants in the end with a bit of magic, but before any of this happens, she has the money for a down payment. She overcomes the following obstacles in the end with determination.
And it's these messages that make the film historical. And no, this isn't word of mouth marketing for Disney. Ha! Don't work there anymore. I'm just agreeing with you.