 DVD Review - The Princess And The Frog
By Tamsin Cracknell
Written and directed: John Musker & Ron Clements (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid)
Starring: Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls), Bruno Campos, Oprah Winfrey, John Goodman
Parents and child-minders, listen up: you CAN have it all! Disney has revived its legendary hand-drawn style with a New Orleans Mardi Gras delight that makes absolutely no references to sexual depravity or The Shining!
When Disney went 3D-crazy in 2003 and maniacally dissolved its entire traditional animation department, Musker and Clements were among those experts who found themselves unemployed. Thankfully, the promotion of Pixar stalwart John Lasseter to the helm allowed the reversal of that ludicrous decision, and when the duo were invited back, they were given the choice between CGI and manual animation. Needless to say, they stuck to what they're good at.
The Princess and the Frog is a fresh take on the classic fairytale of the frog prince, who requires a kiss from a princess to break the amphibious spell. Prince Naveen (Campos) finds himself in this unfortunate situation, but when he mistakes waitress Tiana (Rose) for a princess, their kiss transforms her into a frog as well, and the two must croak and hop through the crazy Louisiana bayou to find the blind sorceress Mama Odie and break the voodoo spell.
After six years of CGI brainwashing, the effects of pencil and paper are still colourful and vibrant, but there is a subtlety and fluidity to the animation that is kinder to the eye. Anybody who has had to calm down an overstimulated, 3D-high kid will appreciate this.
The plot is fresh, the characters are adorable (especially Louis, the ebullient alligator who longs to play trumpet in a human jazz band), and the moral fibre is completely intact, with themes of hard work, loyalty, hope, and love above all giving the story its firm foundation. Musical numbers by meistro Randy Newman are infectious, and stay gleefully true to the jazzy sound of New Orleans.
The Princess and the Frog is a children's movie in the best sense, but dexterously avoids becoming a crashing bore for parents. 2D is dead... Long live 2D!
|
