Movie Review: The Princess and the Frog
Release Date: December 11 2009
Company: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Rated: G
I was really excited to see this movie when my two little sisters, my sister-in-law and I went to see it last week, but unfortunately, the movie didn't live up to the standards I expected from either the commercials for the movie or other Disney princess movies.
The Princess and the Frog takes place in Jazz Age New Orleans. Tiana is a hardworking young woman who wants nothing more than to fulfill her late father's dream of opening a restaurant, while Prince Naveen comes to the Big Easy looking for a good time and a rich bride, since his parents have cut him off from the family funds. Both their plans are disrupted by the sinister plots of the Shadow Man, and they must work together and make unusual friends to resume their rightful forms and normal lives.
The film reminds me of movies like Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Little Mermaid (1989), which is likely because two of the film's three directors, Ron Clement and John Musker, also wrote and/or directed the last two movies in that list. Their involvement and leadership affects many aspects of the movie: the 2D animation is superb, the music fantastic (I'm considering buying the soundtrack), the voices and accents spot-on, the characters developed and believable, and the setting real. The story, however, feels a bit weak, with too many loose ends. Why does the Shadow Man target Prince Naveen? What are the reasons behind the actions of Prince Naveen's butler? What happened to Tiana's dad? Why does Prince Naveen choose New Orleans if he has no money? Why are the Shadow Man's "friends on the other side" working with him? They don't seem to like him. What do they want? Questions like these are unsettling, especially in a G-rated, kid-targeted movie.
Speaking of the rating, this movie contains scary images that I think deserve a PG rating. I find the Shadow Man's manipulation of his own shadow interesting, but when he uses other shadows--the creepy kind--to do his bidding, I'm concerned that young children will get scared easily and even have nightmares.
The Princess and the Frog has been nominated for the 2010 Golden Globe Best Animated Feature Film award, as well as 15 other awards in categories such as Best Original Song, Voice Acting, and Character Animation.
All in all, The Princess and the Frog was worth my time and money. I'm glad I took the opportunity with my sisters to go see it, but I won't be seeing it again. I probably won't buy the DVD anytime soon.
As always, please feel free to comment on this post. I want to hear what you think about my reviews and what books, movies, or music you think I should review. Happy Holidays everyone!
