Disney's The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog is Disney's 49th animated classic, made in 2009. Inspired by the fairytales by the same name, this film is set the 1920's New Orleans, Louisiana, during the Jazz Age, when swing music was really popular.

Like all the previous Disney movies, The Princess and the Frog focuses on the theme of the titular Princess or character wishing on a star and making their dreams come true, and that dream comes true, which is prominently shown in Snow White, Pinocchio, and Cinderella.

Plot

Tiana has always wanted to open up a restaurant of her own, with hard work and some wishing and dreaming on the side, she sets to fulfil her father's dream, but things change when she finds a frog, claiming to Prince Naveen, Prince of Maldonia. Kissing the frog, leads both titular characters on an adventure of self-discovery, love, and the meaning of finding out what really matters in life.

Review

Characters: 10/10

All the characters in this movie each have their own distinct personality and having all the characters' personal subplots intertwined is really fantastic. I especially enjoy Raymond the firefly's romantic views about his beloved, Evangeline and how it sort of reflects Tiana and Naveen's relationship for the latter part of the movie.

The fact that they have the spoiled Charlotte "Lottie" La Bouff somehow still being realistic without her personality being overdone meshing with her friendship with the calm, down-to-earth Tiana is a great aspect of how well Disney did the characterizations of their characters.

Animation: 10/10

The animation is another great thing about this movie. The way the characters are very expressive and the backgrounds of each scene really helps set the mood and make the characters stand out even more. Of course, the characters that are there for comedy relief (Lottie, Louis, and Mama Odie) actually look as comical as they act.

Music: 9/10

Usually if the animation and characters didn't break the movie then the music would but this time, the music that plays throughout The Princess and the Princess has definitely "made" this movie and with the Jazz music playing throughout this film, it really helps with making you think the movie really was set in the twenties and in Cajun country. I always get a little spooked when the Shadowman (also called Doctor Facilier) comes on screen.

Story: 9/10

Considering I'm not all that familiar with the fairy tale by the same name, I can't really say that I enjoyed story of The Princess and the Frog on that basis alone, but that didn't deter me from enjoying the movie as a whole. I enjoyed the fact that Disney explored a mildly dark theme of messing with Hoodoo (often referred to as Voodoo magic) and the fact that this takes place in the 1920's and in Louisiana where Hoodoo is said to have been born.

A big drawback I had with the plot of this Disney classic is how quickly Tiana and Naveen's relationship progresses, but other than that, this movie struck a big chord in my heart and the overall story and plot, paired up with the animation, music, and characters made me fall in love with this movie quite hard.

Overall: 10/10

This Disney film is definitely a big hit with me and my younger cousins. Being that I'm a big lover of the Jazz Age and I've always had a fascination with reading up on Hoodoo, I guarantee you that after watching this film, it'll leave you begging for more.

So, if you want a Disney full of catchy foot tapping dances or a good exploration of Louisiana in the 1920's, then The Princess and the Frog is the movie for you.