The Princess and the Frog

Directed By: Ron Clements and John Musker

Screenplay By: Ron Clements, John Musker, and Rob Edwards

Starring: (The Voices of) Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael Leon-Wooley, Jennifer Cody, Jim Cummings, John Goodman, and Terrence Howard

Editor: Jeff Draheim, Production Designer: James Aaron Finch, Original Music: Randy Newman

Rated: G

    Historical injustices can be a difficult thing to correct. Take Disney—they may have made one of the most classic songs of all time, “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” but ask anyone what movie it comes from, and they will answer with some reservation behind their lips. Song of the South is one of the Disney’s for-shame-racism movies, and in recent years, Disney has tried becoming more multicultural (and helping buy into untapped markets) by turning their ever their pale white princesses to the all sorts of races (Mulan, Aladdin, Pocahontas). Of course, the one that is missing from the collection is one that now the age of Obama seems to have inspired, and The Princess and the Frog is not only Disney’s first return to 2D animation in years, but their first that has African Americans as their subject matter.

    The film, set in 1920s New Orleans, follows a young girl named Tiana and her dreams of opening a restaurant, though because of her class (a point the script emphasizes, while side stepping even the mention that some characters in the movie are of different races), she will never get it. But then a French prince comes to town—Tiana’s best friend, spoiled white girl Charlotte, thinks this is her big chance, while Tiana is pragmatic. Things finally get going when the prince gets a little amphibious, and thinking a kiss will solve the problem, gets Tiana in the same green situation.

    Writers and directors Ron Clements and John Musker are Disney princess veterans—they did The Little Mermaid as well as Aladdin—and The Princess and the Frog has the same sort of energy and fun. Its authentic setting along with visual set pieces along the bayou make for a fun adventure, and the side characters (which while can be seen as racist for being animals with black stereotype personalities) are fun. The music numbers as well are nicely constructed, and Anika Noni Rose, who voices Tiani, throws her voice up with the best.

    Yet The Princess and the Frog is entirely forgettable, and its only purpose seems to be to remove that awful smudge from Disney’s history. While the elements are fun, the only particularly great part is the voodoo shadow villain, voiced by Keith David, who provides some of the best moments. Otherwise, the latest Disney princess also seems the blandest. Tiana simply cannot compete with the likes of Ariel or Snow White, and while its very nice that she is a different race, one wishes that she had a little more spunk or at least emotional dynamic as well. The Princess and the Frog might keep the NAACP off Disney’s hands, but it certainly reminds us that a good movie needs more than a change in skin color.