Disney Daze: The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Disney Animated Classic Number 49
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David & Michael-Leon Wooley

Directed by: Ron Clements & Jon Musker

Rating: ★★★★★

Finally, after watching many Disney films for this blog, we get to a real gem. The Princess and the Frog is a modern Disney classic, and I would hold it up there with the greats such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Notable for having the first and so far only black Disney princess (and possibly the only black female main character), the film was commended and critically praised. For once, I agree with the general consensus, as I really, really loved this film- it was great fun, had amazing animation, excellent songs, and a brilliant (and heart warming) story. 

Tiana (Rose), a New Orleans waitress with dreams of opening her own restaurant, is persuaded by Prince Naveen (Campos), who has been transformed into a frog by a voodoo priest Dr Facilier (David) to kiss him. She does so, and is transformed into a frog, as only a princess can break the spell, and Tiana is not one. The two frogs then escape from the evil Doctor into the bayou and try to find a sorcerer, Mama Odie, so that they can be turned back into humans. Along the way they learn about one another, meet a trumpet playing crocodile called Louis (Wooley) and begin to fall in love. Pure Disney.

Tiana prepares to kiss the frog version of Prince Naveen

The story is really fast paced and exciting- it is never dull for a moment. The main characters are brilliant- Tiana is a hard working, ambitious, endearing and intelligent lead, much like Belle in Beauty and the Beast; Prince Naveen is funny, arrogant and obnoxious, but incredibly likeable; Louis the crocodile, Ray the firefly, and Mama Odie are all excellent supporting characters who enhance the story and add comic relief; and Dr Facilier is an incredibly creepy and chilling villain. Just like other great Disney films, a lot of time is spent on characterisation and on the relationship between the two leads. We of course want them to end up together, and we want them both to be ‘transformed’ by love so that they both realise that there is more to life then material possessions. Unlike Tangled the prince and Tiana are on an equal footing, and are both fully developed properly, not just having the prince being the butt of the jokes, which is good to see. Why shouldn’t the male and female leads both be strong characters?

The film looks amazing, and both New Orleans and the bayou surrounding it are perfect settings for a Disney film- I’m surprised they haven’t focused on this environment before, and the carnival atmosphere and old fashioned buildings create an authentic back drop. 

The songs are catchy and enjoyable, and the singers are excellent. I particularly liked Tiana’s song in the run down building that she envisions one day becoming her restaurant, Mama Odie’s song on the boat in the bayou, and the firefly’s song to his precious ‘girlfriend’. 

Just like any other Disney classic, there are terrifyingly disturbing moments that even horrified me. The villain uses the power of voodoo to try to track the two frogs down, so shadows spill out of voodoo masks and jump out at characters, snatching them away. They also have an incredibly upsetting death scene which was mortifying beyond belief- I couldn’t quite believe how they killed off one of the main characters- it was so cruel and nasty! Also, the way that the villain gets his comeuppance would probably freak out children, and when you really think about the implications of it, would freak out adults too. 

The villian, Dr Facilier is pretty creepy, but the voodoo spirits he uses are worse...

I have to say that the whole drive of the film, and probably the key component to its success, is Tiana. Okay, yes, she is black, and yes there should be more black characters in Disney films. But that isn’t only what makes her special. Tiana’s dreams and ambitions and hard work and determination go against the modern world of our quick-fix celebrity culture, where everybody wants to be ‘famous’ for no reason, and many people equate wealth with success. Sure, Tiana wants to be successful, and part of that is having enough money to open up her own restaurant, but she isn’t doing it for fame or fortune, but because she wants to prove to herself, and her father, that all of his hard work meant something to her, and that everything he did for her was to allow her to be able to do what she loves to do (which is cooking) and so succeed in following and achieving her dream. This theme touched me on a personal level, and I’m sure that is why I loved the movie so much. The relationship between Prince Naveen and Tiana is not forced, mainly because they both go on a journey of self discover together, and also see the best in each other, which is why they fall in love. If only it was that simple in real life.

So, basically, if you have just read this review, and you aren’t yet desperately scrabbling around to find a copy of The Princess and the Frog, or aren’t setting it to record on your digi box, then you really should be. Not many films can make me feel those powerful heart warming emotions that I once felt when I was a chil, but this one did, which is quite an achievement. 

So if this film worked its magic on me, and (temporarily) transformed me into a gooey hearted sentimental fool, then it would probably work its magic on anyone.