The Princess and the Frog

A Beautiful New Disney Princess and a wonderful new take on an old fairytale

I couldn't wait for this movie to come out. I love the wonderful new graphics that Disney has been using in their newer films, but the classic and age old charm of The Princess and the Frog captured my heart. This is the film that makes one remember the beauty of Disney's artwork, and the hand-drawn animation wows the eye.

The movie is gorgeous, filled with enchanting characters and believable villians. The romance is there, as charming and romantic as the Disney films of the past. The lovely Tiana and the egotistical Prince Naveen light up the screen from the moment of their first encounter, charming the viewer with their dialogue and antics. The moral, as is evident in all Disney films, is so blatantly apparent---dream as much as you wish but, if you don't work at it, it ain't going to happen.

The Princess and the Frog is a stunning bit of classic Disney that appeals to young and old alike---and the musical score is one that will leave you humming the words to Evangeline for long afterward.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

LOVE this movie!

I am so happy I finally was able to buy this dvd. I first saw this movie at the movies when it first came out and I instantly fell in love with it. The story is very charming, loving, funny, and adorable. I LOVE the theme of the movie about the difference between "what you want" and "what you need". I also LOVE the music! Tiana and Naveen make such a brilliant couple. They complete each other perfectly. I am a very satisfied customer and am a happy fan of The Princess and the Frog!

this movie stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this movie stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

this movie stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this movie stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

one very seriously lame movie

one totally boring lame movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

The Princess and the Frog

All Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) wants is to make enough money to open the restaurant her father always dreamed of but died before he accomplished his dream. But when spoiled Maldonian Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) comes to New Orleans and has a run in with The Shadow Man Dr. Falicier (Keith David) that turns him into a frog, Tiana gives him a kiss to turn him back into a prince only to find herself a frog as well. Now they must find The Shadow Man before his greater plot of New Orleans domination unfolds.

It seems like it's been forever since the last time we've actually seen a hand drawn animation from Disney, or course part of the reason for that is that the last hand drawn feature film from Disney was the forgettable Home on the Range. After that Disney closed the doors on hand drawn animation, that is until the new president and chief creative officer of Disney Animation reopened the doors in 2006. After reassembling the animators who were laid off or left the company they started work on a movie idea that borrowed from E.D. Baker's novel The Frog Princess and The Brothers Grimm's Frog Prince.

The Princess and the Frog is a welcome return to form for Disney animation, which outside of Pixar hasn't really had a great animated movie in years. Basing the style of the film on Bambi and Lady and the Tramp gives the film a physical style that recalls the greatest era of Disney animation, while using a mix of jazz and blues in the musical arrangements for the film gives it a fresh flavor and distinction from previous animated musicals created by Disney. Also the story and script for the film also gives off a very old fashioned vibe, fitting in superbly with the more innocent times of Disney animation, but with fresh locales as well as strong characters that are very modern also give set the film apart as something new and exciting.

Another great thing about the change in locale is the chance for many of the voice actors to experiment with the various types of accents that you can hear in and around New Orleans during the period the film is set in. Even John Goodman, who won't be heard using an accent in his new show Treme on HBO, uses an accent that perfectly suits him for the role. Stealing the show is the firefly from the bayou Ray, who has that quirky role that can be seen in most Disney films (think Rafiki from The Lion King) who's crazy, but wise and fun to watch whenever he's on screen.

While the music in the film is great, and fresh for a Disney film, nothing seems to hit the ear the way songs like "Whole New World," "Be Our Guest," or "Under the Sea" did in the late 80's and early 90's animated musicals from Disney did. Also, I felt the moral of the story was a little to "in your face" something I can't really say that I felt with Disney's previous offerings. Fortunately, these minor quibbles don't detract from the film, and most likely just stem from me being overly critical based on what I expected from the high standard set from Disney's last golden period of animation.

Overall, if you enjoy a good Disney animated feature (and I know your kids do) I highly recommend this. It has all the earmarks of a classic Disney film: great music, great characters, comedy, great story, and a moral for the kids. Even if it is a little bit on the lite classic side, it is still a very enjoyable film, and definitely one that can hold it's own against Disney's earlier films. Welcome back Disney!

The Princess and the Frog

All Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) wants is to make enough money to open the restaurant her father always dreamed of but died before he accomplished his dream. But when spoiled Maldonian Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) comes to New Orleans and has a run in with The Shadow Man Dr. Falicier (Keith David) that turns him into a frog, Tiana gives him a kiss to turn him back into a prince only to find herself a frog as well. Now they must find The Shadow Man before his greater plot of New Orleans domination unfolds.

It seems like it's been forever since the last time we've actually seen a hand drawn animation from Disney, or course part of the reason for that is that the last hand drawn feature film from Disney was the forgettable Home on the Range. After that Disney closed the doors on hand drawn animation, that is until the new president and chief creative officer of Disney Animation reopened the doors in 2006. After reassembling the animators who were laid off or left the company they started work on a movie idea that borrowed from E.D. Baker's novel The Frog Princess and The Brothers Grimm's Frog Prince.

The Princess and the Frog is a welcome return to form for Disney animation, which outside of Pixar hasn't really had a great animated movie in years. Basing the style of the film on Bambi and Lady and the Tramp gives the film a physical style that recalls the greatest era of Disney animation, while using a mix of jazz and blues in the musical arrangements for the film gives it a fresh flavor and distinction from previous animated musicals created by Disney. Also the story and script for the film also gives off a very old fashioned vibe, fitting in superbly with the more innocent times of Disney animation, but with fresh locales as well as strong characters that are very modern also give set the film apart as something new and exciting.

Another great thing about the change in locale is the chance for many of the voice actors to experiment with the various types of accents that you can hear in and around New Orleans during the period the film is set in. Even John Goodman, who won't be heard using an accent in his new show Treme on HBO, uses an accent that perfectly suits him for the role. Stealing the show is the firefly from the bayou Ray, who has that quirky role that can be seen in most Disney films (think Rafiki from The Lion King) who's crazy, but wise and fun to watch whenever he's on screen.

While the music in the film is great, and fresh for a Disney film, nothing seems to hit the ear the way songs like "Whole New World," "Be Our Guest," or "Under the Sea" did in the late 80's and early 90's animated musicals from Disney did. Also, I felt the moral of the story was a little to "in your face" something I can't really say that I felt with Disney's previous offerings. Fortunately, these minor quibbles don't detract from the film, and most likely just stem from me being overly critical based on what I expected from the high standard set from Disney's last golden period of animation.

Overall, if you enjoy a good Disney animated feature (and I know your kids do) I highly recommend this. It has all the earmarks of a classic Disney film: great music, great characters, comedy, great story, and a moral for the kids. Even if it is a little bit on the lite classic side, it is still a very enjoyable film, and definitely one that can hold it's own against Disney's earlier films. Welcome back Disney!

Great Movie, But Save $$$ and Buy Somewhere Else

Walmart and Amazon.com are selling this same BlueRay+Bonus DVD combo for $24.99. I am really disappointed in B&N for not pricing more competitively.

Great Addition to the Disney Lineup

I bought this for my nieces and nephew. All 6 & under. They all loved it and it's their new favorite. As an adult who grew up on Disney, it's a nice addition to their catalog. I can't really remember and stand out songs, like you can from Little Mermaid & Lion King, but maybe that's because I'm an adult and it just doesn't grab me in the same way.

But overall, great movie. Great for the kids. Keeps an adult entertained as well.

My new favorite Disney Princess

This movie is excellent. The moral has to do with moderation and finding the proper balance of work and play--a very up-to-date treatment by Disney. Walt is probably rolling over in his grave at the idea that "wishing on a star can only take you so far," but I lie it. The princess, Tiana, is a modern, independent woman with individual goals that do not simply involve finding true love in her "Prince Charming" (that dream is left to a minor character!) The characters are great, and the storyline moves along quickly. They got MOST of the New Orleans elements right. The bad (voodoo) guy is kinda creepy but my 4yo daughter (who stresses about Sebastian the crab being chased by the chef in Little Mermaid) thought he was "funny." The music is great. They even address/acknowledge the racial/social divide without being preachy/depressing. Enjoyable for adults and children.

Disney has done it again!!

We rented this movie and after watching it I couldn't wait to own it. This movie is about a girl who has had a dream since she was little of owning her own resturant with her father. Her father told her that fairy tales can't come true without some hard work of our own and she takes that a little too literally by working night and day to make enough money for their resturant. The prince comes and is the complete oposite with his party all the time attitude. When he meets a vodo docter who promises him he will be rich again (since he's been cut off from his parents)but he ends up turning him into a frog. When Tiana kisses him (since she's not a princess) she turns into a frog as well. So they embark on a mission together to get the spell broken so they can become human again and they also meet some new friends on the way. This movie is amazing and very well done. The music is very uplifting though some songs and scenes may be a little scary for children under 6. It shows that all you really need is love, friends and family. And further more that over working yourself all the time, or having all play and no work is not a good thing and it also shows that you should be proud and content with who you are. As well as teaching the important lesson that it doesn't matter what you look like.

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Best Disney Movie since Beauty and the Beast

I love love love this movie and I'm in my late 20's. I love disney and this is my second favorite movie. Right after beauty and the beast. It has it's scary moments as the bad guy is a voo-doo man and uses shadows as his evil helpers. I took my 3 and a half year old niece to see it, it didn't bother her and she loved it as well! Wonderful setting and friendships within the movie. The singing wasn't overdone and it had a really good moral to the story behind it. Buy it, rent it, watch it, love it!

A Disney movie that can compete with the classics!

This movie brought me back to the classic Disney movies of my childhood. The storyline was enjoyable (though predictable...as Disney movies often are). I loved the setting in New Orleans - it provided quite a bit of flavor that really made the movie. The voodoo priest was a great villain. The songs were catchy, fun, and were quite varied. I've seen it several times already and would be happy to watch it several more. Several important messages come through this movie and would be great for family or classroom discussions about prejudice, hard work, and accepting the help of others when you really need it.
Overall a really fun movie.

My children love this movie!

My children, husband, and I enjoyed seeing The Princess and The Frog in the theater so it was definitely on our wish list to purchase on DVD. We have owned the DVD since it was released and my children have watched it multiple times. It's a great addition to a family DVD collection (especially Disney fans).

Awesome!

Watched together with my kids. Loved it!

Leaping Lily-pads.

This story has a different spin on the usual Disney princess fairy tale. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana with its rich culture and history this princess story has great "flavor." The protagonist's dream of being an entrepreneur may become a reality as she works hard to achieve her goal. Yet, a few spells, voodoo, and a variety of mishaps may side track her. A wonderful tale is in store for you, and this is fascinating family entertainment. With a secret agreement the plot is spun. Our leading lady must leap over some "frogs" to reach her goal, along the way some lively characters assist her. The vivid visuals in this DVD are spectacular and sure to hold the viewers attention. Many life lessons are taught within this storyline. Some of the various characters the protagonist meets on her journey are funny, entertaining, and endearing; and make this truly a cinema delight. Therefore, you should go get your popcorn or other movie snack, sit down and enjoy this swinging, hip, jazzy "princess" story. A favorable review: "Leap" into the fun and enjoy yourself.

Leaping Lily-pads.

This story has a different spin on the usual Disney princess fairy tale. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana with its rich culture and history this princess story has great "flavor." The protagonist's dream of being an entrepreneur may become a reality as she works hard to achieve her goal. Yet, a few spells, voodoo, and a variety of mishaps may side track her. A wonderful tale is in store for you, and this is fascinating family entertainment. With a secret agreement the plot is spun. Our leading lady must leap over some "frogs" to reach her goal, along the way some lively characters assist her. The vivid visuals in this DVD are spectacular and sure to hold the viewers attention. Many life lessons are taught within this storyline. Some of the various characters the protagonist meets on her journey are funny, entertaining, and endearing; and make this truly a cinema delight. Therefore, you should go get your popcorn or other movie snack, sit down and enjoy this swinging, hip, jazzy "princess" story. A favorable review: "Leap" into the fun and enjoy yourself.

A joyous return to the 2-D musical!

Fans of classic Disney musicals will love this return to form. The animation glows and the music is thankfully sung by the film's characters instead of a pop star like Phil Collins (as was the mistake in too many Disneys films of the late 90s and early 2000s). It is no doubt a triumph to finally have an African American Disney Princess and she definitely holds her own amoungst the throngs of her blonde predecessors (not that theres anything wrong with that). It is a shame that more movie-goers didn't see this film in the theaters. 2-D animation is unfortunately a dying art and unless it has support it may fade more and more beneath the 3-D CGI animated movies of today. Buy the DVD. Its worth owning for the enjoyment of it and to support the artform, ensuring that movies like this continue to be made.

cute movie

Both of my kids, 6 years old son and 3.5 year old daughter love it, they have already watched it at least 10 times since we've got it.