This one is a total winner. Truthfully, I was not expecting very much out of this viewing. We’ve seen the Disney princess stories before and frankly, the princess and the frog as a fairy tale is not exactly anticipation inspiring.
Boy, they played me for a sucker. The twists they added were inventive and made a huge difference. I couldn’t figure out where the story was going to go or how the resolution would come about. When have you been able to say that about a children’s movie?
The heroine, Tiana, is not a princess at all. In fact, she’s almost anti-fairy tale, believing that hard work, frugality, and your own smarts are what will make your dreams come true.
A modern heroine for new times.
But, reminds Disney, don’t let your pragmatism blind you to the fact that there is magic in the world. And sometimes, it is worth your while to stop in the midst of your labors and wish upon a star.
Ah, classic Disney reimagined for new times. And this does feel like a comeback for Disney. The animation looks great! The characters are classically designed and the backgrounds, especially some of the interiors, are stunning. It looks like care and thought went into everything rather than just building random things in a computer.
I feel that Pixar’s influence perhaps made a difference here. John Lasseter served as Executive Producer, and this was after Disney and Pixar merged. The improved characterizations and strength in plot really put everything over the top for me.
There is quite a shocking thing that happens near the end and if your eyes aren’t wet at that time, man, you haven’t got a heart.
The only thing I wish is that they would have gone a little more Broadway in their songs. Disney features have great, sweeping, epic, and singable songs. I can’t remember one lyric or melody from anything in here.
What I do remember are all the almost subliminal reminders of the great Disney movies of the past. As a relaunch of Disney as an animation powerhouse, I appreciated this bit of fan nodding and chest thumping from this movie.
The boyfriend and I saw this at home and these were just some of the movies we whispered to each other during the viewing: The Fox and The Hound, Fantasia, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Robin Hood, Aladdin.
So here it is. Disney beats Pixar!
If I picked the Oscars: (in order of my vote)
Animated Feature Film:
Tags: Movies by Ms. SP
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