A Froggy Story

Some might say it’s too family oriented. Others may not like the cute elements meant for children. However, there’s a bit of fantasy in this film which rightfully places “Princess and the Frog” into this blog.

This is the first film to be hand drawn by artists who were involved with the project, and it might have put a shock into those audiences who are used to the CGI effects. They shouldn’t be. Disney films started out this way. They were drawn frame for frame, very studious, meticulous work. One can appreciate the effort put into the film.

It might seem prehistoric compared to the modern animation which stirs across the film screens these days. “Princess and the Frog” seems far more organic and lively than a film such as “9.” There’s a real feeling in the drawings which helps you identify with the characters who seem more grounded with reality. So to speak.

I can tell there’s a real charm to the film when it’s drawn right from the hand. 2-D is the term for it. But I think the drawings are very lovely.

The film is based on E. D. Baker's novel The Frog Princess. It takes place in the city of New Orleans, before the flood and tragedy in Hurricane Katrina. And the time was during the roaring twenties when people seem prosperous. A playful atmosphere, caught up in shadows and colorful schemes, work well in the long history of New Orleans and its Voodoo rituals often taking place in and around the city. The real prince named Naveen from the land of Maldonia is transformed into a frog by voodoo magician Dr. Facilier when he kisses the princess Tiana. You wouldn’t think they could spill more interesting twists into an aged old story of a princess kissing a frog. But they do here. And you got two frogs running about trying to get back to being human after a kiss that backfires.

For me, it is the music that really steals the show. The story is set like a Broadway musical with many characters breaking into a song and dance. And they should. New Orleans of old was always known for its music. It was the place which inspired the likes of John Lee Hooker and Louis Armstrong. But I thought the music really works well here: the original score was done by favorite Randy Newman. There is also the Dirty Dozen Brass Band who have done several albums with musician Elvis Costello—and they’re good stuff. They bring their great love for music in different songs "Down in New Orleans", "Almost There" and "Dig a Little Deeper," each song adding a little flavor to the mix.

Song, dance, music… it really shows a different side of New Orleans that many of us might have forgotten about since the flood has taken away so much from us. Much of the culture, the history, everything has gone in a disastrous turn of nature. It’s very unfortunate. I almost visited New Orleans several years ago, got my tickets and was ready to go. But two weeks before my departure the city was under water. And I have missed the only opportunity of seeing the music city.

So I wasn’t able to see the jazz and blues for myself. And what was left of the old New Orleans was now a footnote in the history pages.

Still, the Disney film “Princess and the Frog” captured the beauty of the city and the mystery that may revolve around the swamps thick with stew, waters filled with menace. But you find music everywhere… including the characters such has the trumpet playing alligator and the Cajun firefly. Everyone seems to have a singing voice here in this movie.

Plenty other familiar voices in Oprah Winfrey, Keith David, Jim Cummings, John Goodman, Jenifer Lewis, Michael-Leon Wooley, and Terrence Howard. Yes, the film is very black. So there are many good black actors representing the voices.

Naturally, there’s a happy ending. And the princess does return to normal after finding her true love… and she almost does after working around the clock and breaking a sweat as a waitress. But she gets what she wants in the end. Getting her own restaurant business. And a nice addition: her own prince.

I do like this movie. It’s a lot of fun. And the Disney film offers a very good spotlight on the first black princess. Which gives black women everywhere a very good role model voiced by Anika Noni Rose. The film takes on a very fresh poke at the centuries old princess and frog story in very delightful way. Not uproariously funny, but very down to earth, very tender story. Another high mark for Disney and production starting more productions in the hand drawn projects with the success of “Princess and the Frog.”