Disneyís first classically animated black princess, Tiana (voiced by Tony winner Anika Noni Rose), is a twist on an old classic. A young girl in New Orleans kisses a frog that was once a prince, and turns into a frog herself. Also unique is the diverse mix of ethnicities among its characters. Setting the film in the Louisiana Bayou allows for characters of Caribbean, European and African descent.† With a catchy score by the legendary Randy Newman, a charming prince, a beautiful young ingÈnue and a myriad of wacky supporting characters (including a Cajun firefly named Ray), this film is everything youíd expect it to be.
It seems only right that in the age of progressivism, where the free world is led by a black man, that Disney follow suit.† Unfortunately, the facelift was merely cosmetic. ìThe Princess and the Frogíí still forces Tiana into the same dilemma that every Disney princess faces: marriage. It starts out promising.
Tianaís dream of opening her own restaurant portrays her as being not just pretty but hard working and self-sufficient, personifying the idea that wishing upon a star helps express dreams, but determination and hard work make them come true. She puts up a fight, but itís no use. The Princess and the Frog dissolves into formula, and overshadows its true message.
But forget that. This movie is fun. It has all the charm and humor of any Disney classic. Its villain is menacing and meticulous and its heroine beautiful and rebellious. Its handsome prince is possibly the handsomest of them all, with those eyes.
The songs arenít as strong as previous Disney films, but their Zydeco flavor makes them unique, and Tianaís big number ìAlmost There” is a fun twist on the typical princess ballad. With its summer-eve color palate and some kaleidoscopic voodoo sequences, ìThe Princess and the Frog” is visually breathtaking.
I suppose the best way to judge this film is to ask the most important critics of them all: children. I went to see this with my 11-year-old sister. The theater was filled with children and parents, all boiling over with excitement. There was that electricity in the air that only the magic of Disney can create. When it was over, my sister turned to me and simply said, ìThat was awesome.” The jury has spoken.