“You know, if you’re going to let every little thing get to you, it’s going to be a very long night.” —Prince Naveen
Today’s quick review: The Princess and the Frog. After years of hard work, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), a New Orleans waitress, has almost saved up enough money to buy her own restaurant. Her plans hit a snag when she meets Naveen (Bruno Campos), a prince who was turned into a frog by Dr. Facilier (Keith David). Naveen offers her a handsome reward if she helps him return to human form, and together they embark on a journey to break the curse.
The Princess and the Frog is a family animated fantasy romance set in New Orleans. A hard-working waitress and a carefree prince set out to undo a voodoo curse and restore the prince to his rightful place. The Princess and the Frog is a fun adventure with a jazzy soundtrack, likable characters, and dynamic animation. It does not do much to change up the Disney formula, but its craftsmanship and enthusiasm make it an enjoyable watch.
Motion is what brings The Princess and the Frog to life. The art style only really comes together when the characters are in motion, dancing across the screen or bouncing around the bayou. The love story clicks when Tiana and Naveen are challenged, are forced to work together, and come to see each other in a new light. On the other side of the plot, Dr. Facilier leaves a lasting impression despite only having a modest amount of screen time.
The drawback to The Princess and the Frog is that its down moments are not that impressive. The humdrum of Tiana’s life, the moments when the plot pauses to shift gears, and several of the supporting characters are not as enchanting as they could be. The Princess and the Frog has some of the magic it needs, but it only works when the story is moving forward. Likewise, the soundtrack is solid and varied, but outclassed by the best of the genre.
The Princess and the Frog is a pleasant watch that fans of the genre will enjoy. Give it a shot if you are interested in animated musicals, fairy tale adaptations, and family-friendly adventures. However, those who dislike the genre will not get much out of the movie, and critical viewers should note that the movie is missing some of the superlative quality seen in Disney’s best. Anyone interested should try it out.
For another animated movie about an unwanted transformation, try Shrek, Brave, or Spies in Disguise. For a similar style of storybook romance, try Beauty and the Beast. For another fairy tale adaptation, try Tangled.
[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780521/). I give it a 7.0 for lively animation and a charming story.