The Princess and the Frog

Steve West: “It was ok.”

Full of New Orleans backwoods stereotypes, voodoo, and jazz, this animated production lacks in likeable characters. It's redeemed by a pleasant musical score but Disney repeats the dead parent theme again. Not their best effort.

− December 12, 2009 • more by Steve • log in or create an account to reply

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Scott Hardie: “It ruled.”

Minor but fun. As one critic wrote, Randy Newman had kind of Randy Newmaned himself out at that point; the studio needed a new musical direction. The animation is pleasingly bouncy, the character design is very colorful and appealingly detailed, and I appreciated the underlying thematic conflict between the two voodoo characters, each the reverse of the other's worldview. The movie doesn't shy away from darkness and doesn't try to "fix" it, either, except for a bit of violent retribution against some frog hunters. It even describes wishing upon a star as insufficient for making dreams come true, which is practically heresy for the corporate brand. This doesn't feel like it was destined for greatness like some of the studio's other classics, but it has plenty to recommend.

− June 15, 2024 • more by Scott • log in or create an account to reply

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Samir Mehta: “It ruled.”

The best way for Disney to say goodbye to classic animation. Masterful art work and character design, amazing songs (that capture the diversity and fun of New Orleans and American music), and an all time best princess (Tiana is the best, most relatable princess and also the only one that is “American” in what she embodies) and a peak villain. Just pure gold all the way through. Great side kicks and a funny, if feckless, prince.

− June 15, 2024 • more by Samir • log in or create an account to reply