The Things I Love and Hate about Disney’s Princess and The Frog
December 13, 2009 at 10:13 pm 16 comments
photo courtesy of deviantart.com
I Love:
1. Princess Tiana is amazing! She is such a well developed character. I don’t recall any Disney Princess to have the drive, determination and work ethic that Princess Tiana has. She has a dream- and it isn’t to wait by a window until her Prince Charming comes along. Tiana is a budding entreprenuer in every sense of the word. She works deligently, often sacrificing friends and fun, to save enough money to open her own restaurant. That, in my opinion, is quite admirable.
2. Tiana’s parents and community are supportive and caring. Tiana’s father and mother were dedicated to their family and worked hard to provide a good life for Tiana. Even though Tiana’s father, James, made a brief appearance in the movie, his teachings are what carry Tiana through. I appreciate that positive Black image.
3. Tiana had a faithful friend. Charlotte is a spoiled rich girl, who always gets what she wants. Yet, Disney manages to make her a very likable character. It is evident that she and Tiana were true friends. Tiana genuinely wanted Charlotte to find the Prince she had long been waiting for. And Chalotte was willing to give up her Prince for Tiana’s happiness. We all need friends like that.
4. Mama Odie, Ray the lightening bug, and Louie the alligator were fantastic. They provided the much needed humor and some upbeat music throughout the movie.
I hate:
1. While Dr. Facilier, the shadow man, was stunning to watch, I think Disney went too far with the voodoo aspect in the movie. I don’t think children, especially mine, should be exposed to things such as voodoo at such a young age. Dr. Facilier was entertaining. But children would have understood him as an evil character without the shadow demons, voodoo dolls, and blood filled viles. That definately decreased my rating of The Princess and The Frog.
2. Disney movies usually have wonderful soundtracks. How many people are still singing “Hakuna Matata”? But the music in “The Princess and The Frog” wasn’t memorable to me. Tiana does sing a wonderful song called “I’m Almost There” but I wasn’t tapping my foot or snapping my fingers during the movie.
In general, The Princess and the Frog is a good movie. Do I think it is one of Disney’s best? No. But I am anxiously awaiting Part 2 of Princess Tiana. I think she is a phenomenal character.
Have you seen The Princess and The Frog yet? What did you think? Was it one of your favorite Disney movies?
Entry filed under: Disney Movies, Princess Tiana, The Princess and The Frog. Tags: Disney Movies, Princess Tiana, The Princess and The Frog.
1.
Drew | April 14, 2011 at 6:31 am
When you tap into the social diaspora of a ethnic group. You should have that group there to represent those experiences. Obviously Disney did this one on the cuff. I watched about 9 minutes of it.
The voice of James Earl Jones as Mufassa (Lion King) was fatherly strong and quite appropriate (especially being in Africa) now in no way am I suggesting that there are no ‘whites’ in Africa, but come on, the voice of Simba, well…
2.
Mr.Chris | October 25, 2010 at 3:58 am
I agreed with all of your “Loves”. However I would like to challenge your idea about the voodoo.
I’m going to start off by saying that I do NOT have children and maybe if I did I might agree with you.
But, I remember growing up watching another Disney Princess movie: “The Little Mermaid” and her antagonist was Ursula the sea witch. As an adult now I realize that Ursula practiced witchcraft (although she is not the first Disney antagonist OR character for that matter– Snow White’s step-mother? and Cinderella’s fairy godmother). Basically I think that I haven’t been tainted or turned out wrong from being exposed to that film so many times. I DO look back and do think that the final scene with Giant Ursula could be quite frightening for a child, but being as infatuated with the movie as I was it didn’t phase me then.
Ursula’s pet eels Flotsam and Jetsam could be compared to Dr. Facilier’s shadow demons, however I think they are worse since Flotsam and Jetsam could speak and were very manipulative in getting Ariel to agree to go see Ursula.
My point is: yes, voodoo is bad and at the end of the movie it is thwarted, however Disney does and excellent job of explaining both of these points extensively.
3.
Amy | March 27, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I wanted more princess and less frogs!!
4.
LaShaunda | March 7, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Your review was right on the mark. I thought they could have kept the voodoo out too. However I disagree on the music. I liked the music – Almost There and the Neyo song.
5.
Yakini | March 4, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Dern, I still havent seen the movie. I feel so left out (lol). Maybe I’ll go out this weekend and buy a copy – Ive been wanting to add it to our library (even though I dont even know if Im gonna like it or not! lol)
6.
Wifey | January 12, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Great review! I love Tiana’s character and her girlfriend, too. My kids winced a little during some of the dark moments, but over all I really liked the movie. One of my new faves.
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
7.
Keasha | December 30, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I really enjoyed Princess and the Frog. My gripes were that the Prince appeared to for Charlotte initially, I released a low growl about that until he and Tiana became friends.
I loved the “human again song….which we’re gonna be”, I loved it. Even in a Disney movie it’s evident that an African American girl has to work hard. I didn’t see Pocahantas slaving and working 2 jobs. I agree that they kinda overdid the “voo doo” aspect of New Orleans, I had to remind Dana it was “just pretend” because it’s a movie.
8.
Dr. Cheryl | December 18, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I agree that the voodoo was too much. I really was a little disturbed by it. I LOVED everything else about the movie. My 2 yr old absolutely LOVEd the music and so did I. I did expect MORE great songs but the ones that they played were really good. you have to like jazz to appreciate it. The band was really good! Ne-yo’s song “Never Knew I Needed” was the best! i want the CD! Anyway…..GO PRINCESS TIANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9.
Theta Mom | December 17, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I never saw the movie but my son has the game for Leapster2. I’ll have to check it out. BTW, thanks so much for the kind words from my intereview. YOU ROCK.
10.
sophia's mom | December 17, 2009 at 11:23 am
I think my previous comment went to spam!
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on Theta Mom’s interview!
11.
talkingwithtami | December 17, 2009 at 7:43 am
I thought they did a great job and I’m glad they even made an african american princess at all. I could have did without the voodoo too but I really fell in love with Ray the lightening bug, how cute was he. Overall the move was Pinktastic!
12.
Cedric C.Kirkman | December 15, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Well I thought that they did not have as a princess or even a human long enough for me. On the flip side to it, I thought that it was one of the better Princess movies only because of the lesson that was brought out in the movie. I did not think that the voodoo was child like but at the sametime that is the culture of that city and state. The music was great and it really kept my girls attention. Again I would have liked to see Tiana as a human more than they had her in the movie.
13.
Joyce E. Davis | December 14, 2009 at 4:43 pm
this was a great review. I’m taking my daughter to see it after Christmas and I appreciate the heads up about what we’ll be viewing. I love thoughtful parents. Thanks again, jd
14.
dannigyrl | December 14, 2009 at 9:30 am
You pointed out some valid points about the friendship between Tiana and Charlotte. I really liked that about the movie.
But the music! How did you not like it? Our theater was rocking and rolling to most of the songs. My little one was clapping her hands to the beat. I’m thinking about getting her the soundtrack.
15.
Tiffany | December 13, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I really liked it, I agree about the songs though, other than that it was good. !!!!
16.
Tiffany | December 13, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I really liked it, I agree about the songs though, other than that it was good.