Dirs. Ron Clements & John Musker, US, 2009, 97 mins, animation
Cast. Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, John Goodman
Review by Michelle Moore
The Princess and the Frog sees a return to the classic Disney style, the days when Cinderella , Beauty and the Best and The Little Mermaid ruled every young girl's dreams. In a similar fashion, The Princess and the Frog consists of not only an interesting narrative and enjoyable onscreen characters, but songs you will want to sing alone to at every possible moment and really get involved with.
Our story begins with two little girls, from very different backgrounds, listening to the tale of ‘The Princess and the Frog'. Moving forward 10 years, those little girls are now both grown up, their different backgrounds and values very much in evidence. One works hard for a living whilst trying to buy a restaurant for her father; the other sponges off hers, while sitting around waiting for her Prince Charming to appear. When magic – in the shape of some good old fashioned voodoo - is introduced, a visiting prince is transformed into a frog and looks for the kiss of a princess to turn him back into his princely self, but instead finds the kiss of a waitress who is also then transformed into a frog. It is when both are at this reptilian state that they realise there is more to life than your background, looks and prosperity, your dreams and personality are just as imperative.
This film holds a lot of comparisons to previous Disney classics, from the alligator swimming and singing along the river ( Jungle Book ) to the meeting of prince charming, recurring Disney motif, as in Belle meeting the Beast, Ariel and Prince Eric and, of course, Cinderella entrancing Prince Charming. However, the fairy story comes of age in this film, with the story developing over time and its exploration of how social class and upbringing are no barriers to happy endings. Its approach to teaching children to look deeper than what is on the outside of a person is admirable.
Admittedly it can get a little eerie for younger children when the voodoo man begins to call upon the powers of darkness, and his musical number adds to this atmosphere. However, the other musical numbers, such as ‘Almost There', are beautiful and hold that traditional Disney touch, like the first time you saw Belle, Cinderella or Ariel singing. Boys as well as girls will adore The Princess and The Frog and will be singing along to all the songs in no times. This marks a welcome return to the traditional Disney style, one which has been missed for many years.
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