The Princess and the Frog

Specialty Other Disney
#201

We had an ovation at my screening.

I think it went well with the audience. :smiley:

It’s so nice to see a movie with appreciative fans.

#202

Okay, so now that I can think more coherently, I expanded on my thoughts from earlier. It’s rather long, so I’ll just link to it on my LJ. It comes in two clearly separated parts: Spoiler free first and then another part with spoilers, like, woah. Don’t worry, you’ll clearly see when it goes to the spoily part. Here is the start of the
 I guess it’s a rather disorganized essay. Geez. WALL-E really changed how deeply I look into films. netbug009.livejournal.com/186887.html

#203

Excellent review, Netbug, and well done. I’m feeling better about the movie, myself, upon reflection, although it’s still #2 for me. :wink: Totally agree about Tiana and Naveen - although I liked Naveen right off the bat from his entrance. I agree, why should people get upset about Facilier? He’s the villain, not a “role model,” haha - and isn’t he sort of a good “cautionary tale,” since [spoil]he has obviously “sold his soul to the devil” in exchange for wordly powers (and we all know that never ends well!) ?[/spoil] I really liked the eventual confrontation [spoil]between Facilier and Tiana, where he plays the old, “I’ll give you your dream (for a price)” card, and she stands her ground and does the right thing.[/spoil]

I had read the spoiler about [spoil]Ray (not here, on another site), so I knew that was coming, and I’m still not sure how I feel about it, or how different my reaction would have been if I hadn’t known ahead of time.[/spoil]

By the way, I take back my earlier comment that Louis was unnecessary - I do really like him, and his music. I’m just still trying to figure out what they could have fixed to make the story feel less cluttered and rambling to me (and that’s just my opinion). I still would have dumped the frog hunters.

Oh, hey, did anyone else think of [spoil]Colette and Linguini when Tiana was teaching Naveen to “mince”? :smiley: [/spoil]

One more note: if you have the (US) cable channel “TV One,” they are running a good behind-the-scenes special on PATF called “Diary of a Princess: Disney’s Princess & the Frog.” It’s on again today at 5:30 pm CENTRAL time, and again next Saturday morning at 10:30 am Central. It’s a half-hour show and very good.

#204

karly05 - Haha, I didn’t before, but now I can’t unsee it. xD

Well, IMO, the frog hunters thing was necessary, because it showed Naveen cared about Tiana and that the two could work as a team and get along. I felt that was a bit turning point in the duo’s relationship, and when PATF goes to the deepest core, it is a love story. Before that point, Tiana had been doing all the saving, and it could be taken as solely because she needed his help. Naveen, on the other hand, didn’t have much to lose at this point if Tiana left, but goes back for her despite acting like he couldn’t stand her. I felt that scene kinda built a needed connection between the two.


I guess a part of me liked Naveen when he showed up, but in a “you’re hilarious, but I wanna strangle you cause you’re so darn shallow!” way. xD

#205

Phew, thought I was the only one. :laughing:

#206

Yes, there are a few bits and pieces that are reminiscent of of [spoil]Ratatouille[/spoil], which I really liked. :slight_smile:
It’s almost like a subtle “thank you” to Pixar for their support of 2D animation.

#207

Did anyone catch [spoil]the nod to Aladdin at the beginning of the film? During the first fly through shot of New Orleans, a woman is shaking a carpet out on her balcony. It’s Carpet, or at least carpet’s pattern.[/spoil]

#208

Judging by the reviews, looks like Disney’s ultimate classic awesomeness wasn’t dead after all, just was in there somewhere, and now finally brought out! I seriously want to watch this film and I just KNOW I’ll be amazed just like the good old days. :smiley:

Haunt: Oooh, I love little in-jokes like that! :smiley: I’ll keep my eye out for it when I go watch it!

totoro: Yeah, I guess it is like thanking Pixar. :slight_smile: That’s a good observation!

#209

Oh, my gosh, I’m so excited too, BDD! :smiley: Reading all the rave reviews here just makes me wanna write another ‘accolades list’:

“A most entertaining film that provides plenty of reasons why 2D animation is here to stay”

  • totoro

“
clearly the best movie I have seen this year.”

  • Witch_of_Night

“Awe-some!”

  • CoCoMeister

“
it blew me away! Huzzah for the return of traditional Disney!”

  • Haunt

“This is truly the return to Disney animation!”

  • woody

“Walt Disney animation is back and here to stay
 10/10”

  • Rare Addict

“Walt would be proud.”

  • Netbug009

“Phenomenal”

  • MykonosFan

“Keith David is fantastic!”

  • karly05

“I was completely blown away!”

  • The Star Swordsman

“We had an ovation at my screening.”

  • thewisecookiesheet

I hope you guys don’t mind the quotes
 but, jeez, did I mention I was excited to see this? :slight_smile:

#210

Haha, I would be! I remember how happy I was the last time I had a hunch a film was gonna be amazing and I turned out right (take a wild guess what the film was. Hint: It has robots. :stuck_out_tongue:) I’m more than happy to have been proven wrong about my skepticism on this movie. ^^

EDIT: Oh, also, the more I hear “Ma Belle Evangeline”, the more I wanna strangle the Academy if it doesn’t get a best song nomination. I don’t care if Ray isn’t the world’s greatest singer. It’s just
 the heart, man.

#211

TDIT - I like your “accolades” post. :slight_smile: I still say Keith David totally deserved a nomination in the Annies’ voice category, he is so cool as Facilier.

You know what, Netbug, I’ve been getting “Ma Belle Evangeline” stuck in my head off and on since seeing the movie - I really think it should get a nomination, and I think it probably has a pretty good chance, since it is the “love song” . Where did I see someone compare it (favorably) to “Bella Notte” from Lady and the Tramp?

#212

I just came back from seeing this film. I completely loved it. I am completely hooked on the music, and I loved the animation. I thought Disney did a great job on the film.

I just love Ray. He’s my favorite character thoughout the film. He’s still my favorite [spoil]even though he died almost at the end of the film[/spoil].

Do I have a feeling this film is going to be foating around when the Oscars come? Like, Best Score, or best in animation? I wouldn’t be suprised if the film gets nominated in some sort of category.

#213

If this doesn’t at the very least get a Best Animated Feature nomination, the Oscars fail more than usual.

#214

TDIT: Usually on poster ads and trailers, I take quotes like that for granted, but did I mention I love seeing the reviews on Pixar Planet all together like that? I don’t mind the “accolades” list, in fact, I encourage it! :slight_smile: I remember seeing you post a similar thing on the Coraline thread. :wink:

I have not yet seen the film, but I can’t wait to. I’ve read some reviews on other sites - still some ignorance from adults about the tiniest details meaning racism :unamused:- to. be. ignored. Seriously, why do so many adults go like “Ugh, this is so biased, no way I’m letting my children see this - they’ll be biased, too!” But they don’t realize when the children see it, no biased thoughts cross their innocent, fascinated minds(some think The Lion King was racist!)? Many need to learn to lighten up and enjoy things throught the eyes of children and the experience will be magical to them, too.

That short rant aside, I’ve heard somewhere that in a matter of days, The Princess and the Frog is already the top-watched film in the theaters of this month. Wow - see how many of your fans wanted this side of you back, Disney?

Also, on TV I saw yet another commercial where the Gecko from Geico crosses over with The Princess and the Frog. Unfortunately, my family doesn’t have the same level of excitement as me about this film, so we didn’t all stay quiet; I didn’t get to hear what he was saying, so I didn’t get it. :angry: It’s gotta be on YouTube somewhere, though (and YouTube better not remove it 'cause removing advertisements because of copyright infringement is just stupid).

Ooh, you know what else Disney could do to advertise it? Remember Rhino from Bolt? Have this hilarious character tell the audience his review! Just an idea.

Oh, I just can’t wait to see this film! :smiley:

#215


Wait, they did a Geico commercial?! looks this up, watches, and facepalms while giggling

#216

Watched it tonight with my parents.

Wow, just wow. John Lasseter, you never cease to amaze me. Absolutely incredible. As much as it pains me to say this, Up is in serious danger for Best Animated Film this year. Traditional animation is back in a very big way folks. Bravo JL, bravo.

#217

Well, I’ve finally gotten around to putting in my two cents! In short, I thought PATF was very good. Romantic, heartfelt, funny, magical, and even dark at times. Plus, the animation looked really well done! It had quite a lot of singing, which I guess is to be expected since its set in New Orleans. The songs are quite catchy. Especially the villian songs. Dr. Facilier’s “Friends on the Other Side” has already been stuck in my head. There were a couple twists in there that I didnt expect, or was second-guessing myself on. I’ve actually seen it twice already, and plan on seeing it at least twice more, mainly because there’s different people who wanna see it with me. So, I plan on returning to the movies again, hungry for more. :wink:

#218

LOL, lennonluvr. xD

I keep listening to “Ma Belle Evangeline”. As first, I wasn’t very fond of it, but listening a few times I was really won over [spoil]by the amount of heart in Ray’s voice, and how much it means to his plot. I was ready to cry thinking about it. In fact, as a general rule, I like Ray more whenever I hear him sing. 8 )[/spoil]

#219

My word, I just went to watch it with my sis a few hours ago (my bro’s not into the “Disney princesses” thing, and I need to get a date), and it met my expectations and then some! I’ll write a full-length review at a later date since I need to turn in now, but I’ll summarise it in one word: magical! I’ve got other superlatives for it, but I think this one fits the bill for the mo’. :slight_smile:

#220

The Princess and the Frog was #1 and #4 in the U.S. and Singapore box-office respectively last weekend! Having seen it yesterday, here’s my review (sorry, it’s mega-long, but I’m sure you guys understand it’s very difficult to stop a ‘fan-gush’ :stuck_out_tongue:):

In the history of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, no other animated film (with the exception of Song of the South) has generated as huge a controversy as The Princess and the Frog. Not only does it mark the return of the Mouse House to traditional 2-D animation not seen since 2004’s Home on the Range, but it also features Disney’s first African-American princess. Naturally, people have the right to be concerned: Will this mark Disney’s first spectacular ‘back-to-basics’ fairy-tale in a long time, or will it just be another disappointing shadow of its once magnificent past? In my humble opinion, it is thankfully the former.

But, first, the plot in a nutshell, in case you don’t know by now. I promise no spoilers, but skip to the next paragraph if you want to know as little about the plot as possible. Our heroine, Tiana, has been working all her life to save up for her own restaurant after a promise to her father. But things take a turn for the worse when she unwittingly kisses a frog one night, who happens to be Prince Naveen, a spoilt and rich brat from the faraway land of Maldonia. Together, they must work together and race against the clock to find a way to break the spell, encountering a jazz-singing alligator, a lovesick Cajun firefly, an “old lady who lives in a boat on a tree” and many more colourful characters from the swamps of the bayou to the theming streets of a Mardi Gras parade. And, possibly falling in love along the way.

Mr. Clements and Mr. Musker team up again (after 2002’s Treasure Planet) to bring us this hark back to the Disney renaissance of the 90s, with its extravagant musical numbers, endearing characters, and simple but elegant storylines. Like many reviewers have pointed out, Tiana is one of the most strong-willed and independent Disney heroines, primarily because she prefers a hardworking ethic over being dependent on a “Prince Charming”. Tiana and her family’s introduction in the opening doesn’t gloss over the reality of the ‘class system’ in the 1920s, and I admire Disney for taking such a bold step in ‘telling it like it is’. Tiana’s diligence makes her a nice contrast against her childhood friend Charlotte LaBouff, a slightly annoying but still lovable ‘Darla-Dimple’ character who is used to getting things her way without working for it.

The requisite love interest, Prince Naveen’s character as a promiscuous and an irresponsible sloth is funny to watch, and somehow he doesn’t come off as too annoying or arrogant, his character arc providing one of the interesting developments in the film. Another aspect I found interesting was how Tiana and Naveen’s relationship kind of played out like an ‘odd couple’ in the first half, and the development of their feelings for each other, while a little rushed, still felt fairly natural compared to, say, The Little Mermaid or Aladdin’s loves. It’s more in the realistic vein of Beauty and the Beast and Pocahantas, with time given for the protagonists to get to know, hate and eventually love each other.

The villain, Dr, Facilier, is one of the most memorable bad guys in the Disney pantheon, so low and despicable is he, he’s right down there with Scar and Frollo. But what is most chlling and scary about him is that he actually appears to be pretty charismatic and persuasive, at least, on the surface. He’s the kind of villain who will entice you over on to his side, before stabbing you in the back. The final showdown in particular (where he does something truly unforgivable and vile) is one of the most satisfying and spine-tingling climax of any Disney movie.

The side characters are equally captivating. There’s Louis, an alligator who also faces similar prejudices as Tiana in his quest to play in a jazz band, and the eccentric but wise Mama Odie, the antithesis to Dr. Facilier’s voodoo magic. But one of the biggest surprises for me is Ray, the lovestruck firebug. On my first impression, I thought I would find him as another annoying ‘Jar-Jar Binks’-character or another Disney ‘animal sidekick’ just planted to provide comic relief. But he delivers the most pathos in the film, and has the honour of singing the romantic (and bittersweet) love theme in the film.

Which brings me to the music. Oh, god, the music. It’s been so long, Disney, since you’ve had a musical like this. Ironically, the sheer number of songs proves to be one of the film’s weaknesses, as some of them felt ‘shoehorned’ at the expense of the dialogue and character development scenes. Although there can be too much of a good thing, the fact remains it (or they) are all good, and incredibly catchy, too. The much-anticipated “Friends on the Other Side” villain number didn’t really exceed my expectations, but it wasn’t too bad either, a deliciously fun and menancing number belted out in full fury by the talented Keith David. “Down in New Orleans” provided the fantastic opening sequence, and introduced all the major players in the story almost like a theatrical play. The beautiful Art-Deco animation in “Almost There” is sublime, and “Ma Belle Evangeline” will melt your heart. My favourite is the zanily upbeat number “When We’re Human”, a cheerfully technicolour sequence that is reminscent of “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” from TLK. Well done, Mr. Newman.

I guess the only qualm I had with the film is that it could’ve been longer. I’d have no problem with an extension of the playing time, not only so that the plot didn’t feel such in a hurry (okay, this is the part where the heroine sings about her dreams, now we introduce this character, followed by how they meet, yada-yada), but also so that we could’ve seen more interactions between the characters, who play off each other throughout the course of the movie so well.

In summary, TPTAF is another charming and wonderful Disney Princess adventure as excellent as the ‘greats’. Relatively inoffensive, with charming characters, fluid animation, a sweeping tale that evokes the music and people of that era, and one heck of a tearjerker ending, this is Disney’s first in what is hopefully a long line of films in its continuous return to the ‘good old days’. The wait has certainly been worth it, and I can’t wait for a repeat viewing to experience it all over again.

And, yes, I think it’s better than Up, but only just. :slight_smile: