REVIEW: The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog
-PG-
released December 11, 2009


What a classic story.  


As a kid I grew up loving all the Disney animated classics.  Then the studio started with The Little Mermaid in 1990 and then each year after that a new animated film followed.  Each story came from our world history and the fairy tales we grew up with.  But to keep them at lower ratings, the stories have been altered.  The same is true in this instance.  Some might say that the changes are inappropriate.  Controversy was thick with this new feature.  This is the first time in history where the heroin is black.  


Set in New Orleans in 1912, Tiana (our heroin), voiced by Anika Noni Rose, a hard working young woman who has a dream of owning her own restaurant, in honor of her father. 
Meeting Prince Naveen, voiced by Bruno Campos, Tiana is asked to kiss him after he had been turned into a frog by an evil witch doctor.  Unfortunately Tiana is not a princess and the story takes an awkward turn as Tiana is also turned into a frog.  

This bi-racial relationship is forgotten as they are forced to face a trial that they both need to overcome.  Coming from different backgrounds, they learn to live with each other and that develops into love.  With colorful animal sidekicks who talk (a Disney favorite) this film will keep you laughing till the very end.  And the controversy of the racial differences should show us all how far we've come instead of looking at how hard it was.  Look to the future and keep moving forward. (The theme from the movie Meet the Robinsons)