Read more: Disney, Princess, Frog, Feature, Movie, Review
Once upon a time, in a “Land Far Away” Disney Princesses such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella waited for their Prince to come and save the day, this is not the case in Disney’s latest animated feature.
The Story:
The Princess and The Frog takes place in the robust city of New Orleans. The featured character is Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), who is not your typical princess, but instead a hard working waitress with a desire to fulfill her departed father’s dream of opening her own restaurant. Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) is a music loving, party boy prince from Maldonia. His family has cut him off financially, so he’s looking for a wealthy girl to marry so he can avoid having to earn a living. Through a twist of fate and a little voodoo the prince is betrayed and turned into a frog by the evil Dr. Facilier (Keith David). When Naveen sees Tiana dressed as a princess for a costume party he believes that she can save him with her kiss, instead the plan backfires and Tiana transforms as well. With the help of a jazz loving alligator (Michael-Leon Wolly) and a Cajun lightning bug (Jim Commings) Tiana and Naveen set out to break the curse and learn important life lessons along the way.
My Thoughts:
Let me just say the obvious to start out with, it’s about time that Disney added an African-American Princess to their lineup, it’s long over due. But more then that, they created a princess who is strong, driven and ambitious. She doesn't need to be saved, she just needs a chance to earn her dream. She is a great example for all little girls that you can stand on your own two feet and achieve dreams bigger then finding your prince charming.
The story is full of obvious lessons and more subtle ones as well. Tiana learns that while it’s important to work hard to achieve your goals, there are more important things in life like family and friends. Naveen learns that money and partying aren’t everything and that hard work and caring for others are more important. In addition Prince Naveen’s traitorous valet Lawrence brings lessons about the downfalls of envy and deception, Louis the alligator and Ray the firefly both add a lesson on not judging a book by its cover and never giving up on your dreams.
The Princess and The Frog is full of colorful musical numbers with Louisiana flare, Disney did a wonderful job capturing the spirit of New Orleans in the musical numbers. However, there are some darker moments involving Dr. Facilier and his voodoo magic. I saw the movie with my 4-year-old niece and 3-year-old nephew and neither were frightened by the sinister character I can see how some small children might be if they are easily scared.
Overall I think Disney’s “The Princess and The Frog” is a great take on the old fairytale and destined to become one of the classics.
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