The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog - A Walt Disney Pictures Release

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/

Release Date: December 11th, 2009

Rated G

Running time: 97 minutes

Ron Clements (dir.)

John Musker (dir.)

Ron Clements (original story & screenplay)

John Musker (original story & screenplay)

Greg Erb (original story)

Jason Oremland (original story)

Rob Edwards (screenplay)

Don Hall (story supervisor)

Randy Newman (music)

Anika Noni Rose as Tiana (voice)

Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen (voice)

Keith David as Dr. Facilier (voice)

Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis (voice)

Jennifer Cody as Charlotte (voice)

Jim Cummings as Ray (voice)

Peter Bartlett as Lawrence (voice)

Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie (voice)

Oprah Winfrey as Eudora (voice)

Terrence Howard as James (voice)

John Goodman as 'Big Daddy' La Bouff (voice)

Princess Tiana - ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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The Princess and the Frog Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

When Prince Naveen is turned into a frog by the evil Dr. Facilier, he mistakes waitress Tiana as a princess, and accepts her kiss. And because she is not actually a princess, she turns into a frog as well. They must enlist the help of voodoo priestess Mama Odie, if they want to be turned back into humans. This sets into motion a trip through the Louisiana Bayou, set against a backdrop of the 1920’s, and an awesome soundtrack of jazz music.

The Princess and the Frog is Disney’s first 2D animated film since 2004’s Home on the Range, and the best one in many years. The Princess and the Frog succeeds on many levels, including great characters and a classic villain.

Though you may see it advertised as such, this is certainly not just a film for little girls, as I’m sure it will be immensely enjoyed by pretty much everyone.

The look of the frogs is simple, yet incredibly appealing. Ray, the Cajun firefly, has been advertised as a joking sidekick. In reality, he actually provides some of the most touching and bitter-sweet moments in the film. But my favourite character has to be jazz-playing alligator, Louis.

It’s funny, heartfelt and surprisingly moving. Like other Disney films, there are messages and meaning underneath the action. The songs, written by Randy Newman, are all great. None of them become annoying, not one is out of place. The Princess and the Frog immediately takes it’s place among the best Disney films.

The Princess and the Frog is truly magnificent. The animation is beautiful, and the soundtrack is brilliant. Not only one of the best animated, but one of the best movies of the year.

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The Princess and the Frog Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

The Princess and the Frog, is a twist on the original fairy tale of the Frog Prince, waiting for a kiss to turn him human again. Except Tiana, the main character accidentally gets turned into a frog too...

Tiana is a young African-American woman who is working as a waitress, while trying to save up enough money for her own restaurant. Her rich friend meanwhile is just waiting for Prince Charming. But Tiana doesn't have time for that, because as her father always said, wishing only gets you part of the way. It takes commitment and work to help your dreams come true. When Prince Naveen comes into the picture, he is a very arrogant young man, who has never done anything for himself, and after being cut off from his parents financial funds, he has no idea what to do - except find a rich girl who'll have him. His plans go out the window though, when he gets caught up with 'The Shadow Man' - Dr. Facilier...

I found Tiana in The Princess and the Frog to be a very positive role model for young girls. She is strong-willed, and works hard, but in a believable way. The film is about her realizing that she might eventually want someone to share her dreams with - not someone to rescue her, but to stand by her.

I loved the score, as well as the songs in this movie which are all great fun, and work really well - this will be one soundtrack for the Christmas list. You have Randy Newman to thank for most of the music here. The animation is exquisite, and really should be seen on the big screen. It is nice to see a very classic, 2D animated Disney film again. This is definitely one of my favourites amongst them, and one of the best in more recent years. The voice acting was all spot on for their roles, Anika Noni Rose especially as Tiana. This role, had it been miscast, would have thrown the whole movie off.

Parts of the film are darker, as most classic fairy tale type stories are. For very young children, (under 6 crowd), parents should know their child, and exercise appropriate caution. This being said, for families, (and just about everyone else too), this is definitely one to catch during the Christmas break.

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The Princess and the Frog Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

You can’t go wrong with the classics. The Princess and the Frog has all the elements of a Disney classic, such as excellent animation, and really great songs.

The Princess and the Frog takes a new twist on an old fairy tale. The story has been updated to 1920’s New Orleans, right in the middle of the jazz era. Here, the “princess” Tiana is a young African American waitress, whose dream is to open up her own restaurant. In this twist, both the prince and the princess become frogs, traveling on an adventure through the bayous of New Orleans. The characters in this movie all worked for me, including a lovable alligator named Louis, and a lonely firefly named Ray.

What really makes this movie unique, however, is the music. Randy Newman has written an amazing soundtrack of New Orleans jazz, that is sure to be a classic in it’s own right.

Everything worked so well in this picture, that I would’t be surprised if it goes up for Best Picture. The Princess and the Frog is one movie you don’t want to miss.

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The Princess and the Frog Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Disney’s latest animated feature, The Princess and the Frog, is an absolute delight. Fans of classic Disney Princess stories such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, will not be disappointed.

Based on the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Frog, this tale is set in 1920’s New Orleans with African-America waitress Tiana as the main character. Only this time when Tiana kisses the frog the tale takes a twist.

There are so many rich characters in this movie. Tiana is one princess a lot of little girls will look up to with her work hard for your dreams attitude. Then there’s her best friend “Princess” Lottie, Prince Naveen/Frog, the appropriately scary villain, Dr. Facilier (the shadow voodoo man), Bayou voodoo woman, Mama Odie, Raymond the firefly and Louis the horn playing alligator.

The animation throughout this movie is excellent. Tiana’s dream sequences about her restaurant are very stylized and the voodoo man’s sequences are perfectly scary in a Heffalumps and Woozles kind of way. The segments with Louis and Ray are charming, sweet and fun.

What makes The Princess and the Frog so special is the amazing New Orleans jazz music and songs. This is one spectacular soundtrack. The mood is energetic and fun.

I loved everything about this movie, the animation, the music, the characters and the voice acting. The Princess and the Frog has so much soul and is just plain fun.

This is one movie the whole family will want to see in theatres over the holidays. Perfect for Princes and Princesses young and old. This one’s a classic.

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The Princess and the Frog Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

The Princess and the Frog marks a return to the hand-drawn 2D animation that Disney does best. Set in 1920s New Orleans with a largely African-American cast, it bears little resemblance to the classic tale. Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) is a waitress saving up for her own restaurant. The visiting African prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), changed to a frog by the voodoo sorcerer Dr. Facilier (Keith David), finds Tiana dressed as a princess at a costume ball and convinces her to kiss him. When she also becomes a frog, they go into the bayou to seek help from Mama Odie, a 97 year old blind voodoo queen, aided along the way by Louis the big trumpet-playing ‘gator and Ray the firefly.

Among the best Disney animated features, The Princess and the Frog is also a musical, with an excellent score and several of the year’s best songs by Randy Newman, in the jazz and zydeco genres that have enriched Louisiana and the rest of us.

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(L-R) Ray, Frog Tiana, Frog Naveen ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Consensus: The Princess and the Frog is an instant Disney classic, filled with lovable characters and a great soundtrack. With exquisite animation, this is one to bring the whole family to see on the big screen. **** (Out of 4)

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(L-R) Frog Tiana, Frog Naveen, Louis ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.