The Princess and the Frog

Review by Jason Donner

As a long time fan of Disney despite them being the "evil corporation that wants to rule the world," watching The Princess and the Frog was like putting on that certain pair of socks you've got in the back of your dresser drawer.  You know which pair I'm talking about, right?  For me literally... it's my otter socks.

I can't believe I'm about to tell this well-kept secret, but I have a pair of otter socks in my dresser.  My mother got them as a gag gift when I visited Alaska a few years ago and I kept them purely for the sentimentality.  Then, one night, a very powerful cold front came through, the temperature dropped to about nine degrees (which is cold in Texas, damn it), and we had no power.  At a loss and freezing my cute little tush off, I sought out the thickest pair of socks that I had - those damn otter socks.

You know what, though?  I'll be darned if they weren't the most comfortable pair of socks I've ever worn.  I've kept them ever since: two baby blue socks with a stichwork pair of otters breaking clams on their cute little tummies.  I love them and I'll never let them go...  I'll never wear them in public either.

Since Texas is a ghastly hellish wasteland of hotness and not much else, I don't wear them very often, but when I do on those nights during the winter when the mercury dips below normal, it's like slipping into something soft, comfortable, warm, and welcoming.

That's what The Princess and the Frog is... it's that pair of socks that I'm sure every one of us has.  Whether you think that the pattern is embarrassing or that they're just to gaudy and colorful to wear out, they are comfy and you love them just for that.

This is a fantastic return to classic hand-drawn animation for the House of Mouse, a colorful, vibrant, and joyous celebration of song and beauty.  The colors, the characters, and the situations pop with style and cleverness.

Tiana is portrayed as a hardworking and quick-witted woman who is strong and who has big dreams.  I'm glad that Disney has chosen to add a more proactive princess to their marketing juggernaut who is hard working and beautiful at the same time.  I only hope that when Rapunzel comes along, they continue the progress.

A couple of days ago, I lamented that New Moon was giving young girls the message that they should be submissive that that a potentially abusive relationship is okay as long as the guy is hot.  Instead of taking your little princess to see the sparkling gayfest of vegetarian vampires and lisping werewolves, why not take them to a movie who's main message is, "It's okay to wish, but you'd better be prepared to work to make your wishes come true!"  By the frozen head of Walt, that's brilliant!  It's not preachy, it's not obvious... it's just what it is.  I loved it!

The Princess and the Frog is beautiful and surprising; They really did an expectedly good job with this story and the characters who populate it and the turns in their development.  I'm not even afraid to say that Ray, the little Cajun lightning bug who I was sure I would hate when I saw the trailer for this movie a year ago, became my favorite character.

It doesn't hurt that I'm a huge Keith David fan and, listening to him as Shadowman (one of the best Disney villains since Hercules) was awesome.  Just awesome.

While The Princess and the Frog isn't in the same neighborhood as The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, this is such a wonderful movie that is easily one of the best of the year.  The mouse has returned to its roots and they are strong, they go deep, and produce fruits that are sweet and succulent.  The Princess and the Frog is a true labor of love and it shows in every beautiful frame.