The Princess and the Frog

I remember, vaguely, reading some critic's reviews on this movie when it first came out. I can't remember clearly, but I think they complained that Disney either tried too hard to make it an ethnic aware movie or something similar on the same topic. I really couldn't grasp what they were talking about at the time as I hadn't seen the movie, but I think I may be able to put a finger near it now, at the very least.

Most Disney movies of the past, even Aladdin and Mulan, didn't go out of their way to use special accents and capture the essence of the setting's locality. I mean yes, you did have accents. And yes, you did get the sensation - note: the sensation - that you were watching a film that was anything other than a traditional generic U.S./Disney setting. But in the end it was still strongly Disney above all else.

This movie, was more the opposite. The ethnicity of down-home southern Louisiana seemed to be more in your face, while the only thing that really reminded me that it was a Disney movie was the art style of the villain and the princess dress shown at the end.

However, having said all that, and putting the "Disney.. or not Disney" aside, the movie was ... alright. Naturally it was predictable. It wouldn't be a Disney movie if it didn't involve some couple uniting in the end, right? Except maybe if it was that old one with Mickey Mouse that I never saw. Although I didn't expect the frogging to occur as it had. But the villain's minions and the Bayou witch both seemed to remind me of old Disney movies - particularly The Little Mermaid. But maybe that's just me.

Anyway it was alright as kids movies go. If I were a kid I'm sure I'd be satisfied. And maybe the thing that makes me fond of particular Disney movies is more the music than the stories anyway. I honestly would accept if someone told me The Little Mermaid is my favorite for the sole reason that they have a reggae beat song by the title "Under the Sea." Although I also like the "Kiss the Girl" song.

So if it's the songs that do Disney for me, then perhaps that's why I'm not too thrilled with The Princess and the Frog. I only remember there being one, maybe two songs in the whole movie. And one (or both) of those songs was repeated several times. Plus, I think one of the songs may be an actual non-Disney Jazz song that was being played and appreciated by the characters. I'm not sure, though.

So overall I would say I was not terribly impressed with the movie and would most likely not want to have a DVD copy of this one. I think the only way I would own a copy of this movie is if I was actively working on a collection of ALL Disney movies for the viewing pleasure of my as yet non existent child/daughter. I can assure you, if it's not a complete collection, then it would not be making its way to my shelf. Only "favorites" make it there, and this is not one of them. :P

Aeslabelle's Grade: B-/C+