Starring: Anika Noni Rose, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings
Director: John Musker, Ron Clements
Rating: 4/5
The Princess And The Frog marks the return of the traditional hand drawn Disney animations that we all remember and love, and is a welcome break from the CGI animation that currently dominates the big screen.
The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree Prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths.
Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty.
With the help of a trumpet-playing alligator, a Cajun firefly, and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree, Naveen and Tiana must race to break the spell and fulfil their dreams.
First and foremost it's great to see the traditional movies back on the big screen as their music and magic have entertained families for generations.
And The Princess and the Frog carry on that wonderful tradition because, I'm glad to say , this movie is totally brilliant.
John Musker and Ron Clements brought us classics such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin so this project was always in experienced hands, and they have struck gold once again.
It may not be the CGI animation that we are used to but the picture is beautiful the images are bright and lush and the characters just jump off the screen.
Music is once again the centre part of the film and Randy Newman's score is outstanding as he borrows heavily from the New Orleans jazz scene which will have your toes tapping from the off.
It's an instant classic that will entertain audiences of all ages, and at twenty four I will admit that I was excited to see this movie.
The relationship between Naveen and Tiana drives the movie as they slowly begin to put their differences and realise what they want may not really be what they need.
The support characters are just as colourful with Louis the trumpet playing crocodile who wants nothing more than to play in a jazz band in New Orleans, and firefly Ray who has fallen in love with a star.
The token bad guy is a voodoo magician brilliantly voiced by Keith David, who knew he could sing?
The Princess And The Frog is a great nod back to Disney's filmmaking supremacy and while it may be a well worm formula it's something that continues to work to perfection.
With great characters and soundtrack this movie is full of wonder and magic and highlights that there is still a place for the 2D animation picture on the big screen and can rival the CGI driven pictures.
No matter how old you are you won't be able to help but get swept away with the latest classic addition to the Disney family!
The Princess And The Frog is out on DVD and Blu-Ray now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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