After reading and hearing various reviews, yesterday I made my way to the $1.50 Theater to see Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.” I have to admit that I went in expecting not to really care for the movie, and came away pleasantly surprised. It is a good story told well, and has enough plot twists to keep it from being predictable.
Parents should be well aware that the villain, Dr. Facilier (whose name is a clever derivation from the word facile, meaning “easily accomplished or attained,” or “shallow”) is a dark and sinister character, who calls upon his “friends on the other side.” These friends, manifest as voodoo heads and shadowy sprits, can be quite frightening for younger children, and is primarily why it will be a few years before my boys see this movie (the oldest is six). While some parents may be upset by the clear references to the occult, however, there isn’t any doubt that they are evil. Granted, Dr. Facilier’s initial singing performance is quite catchy and impressive, but that only adds to the lesson to be learned that sometimes evil can be very appealing (fitting perfectly with the temptation scene taking place). In the end Dr. Facilier reaps what he sows, and his demise (another darkly intense scene) is a profound picture of what happens to those who attempt to befriend and manipulate evil. To put it simply, the bad guy is really bad, and to have that clear demarcation in the story was oddly refreshing since so many movies attempt to blur the lines between good and evil.
Tiana, the heroine of the story, is worthy of emulation. Raised in a loving home by her father and mother, she is taught the importance of a good work ethic, but not to the exclusion of what matters more: love and family. Her development as a character comes to its climax when she realizes that she had forgotten her father’s instruction, and is able to overcome Dr. Facilier’s temptation as a result.
There are a number of other interesting images throughout the movie: light overcoming darkness; sacrificial death and love (evidenced even in the shallowest of characters); and a scene in which a star named “Evangeline” (which means “gospel”) is thanked by Naveen (the prince turned frog) for saving his life.
Perhaps one of the most interesting scenes is with Mama Odie in the middle of the swamp. Dressed in white (so you know she’s good), this blind, voodoo magician plays more the part of a Pentecostal (snake-handling?) preacher who challenges Tiana and Naveen to “Dig a Little Deeper” to discern between what they want and what they really need. While neither of them is able to correctly answer at the time, their growing relationship and influence on one another enables each of them to answer that question when it matters most. (Naveen’s rolling up his sleeve toward the end of the movie is a nice touch along these lines, too.)
The music doesn’t rise to the level of “The Little Mermaid” or “Beauty & the Beast,” but the jazz style is fun and quite fitting to the New Orleans setting. Also, clever one-liners and animation make for some subtle humor that adults are more likely to catch and enjoy. I do find it interesting that Caucasians are represented rather negatively throughout, even though the stereotypes are not completely unfounded. On the whole, The Princess and the Frog is an enjoyable movie that easily provides a number of proverbial discussion points with (older) kids.
I just finished watching the movie, twice. Loved it, loved it loved it. That said, the only thing I would’ve changed in the story line is to eliminate the notion that in order for a young woman to fulfill her dream is to include a man. However, it was tastefully done since Tiana did have her own means to establish her restaurant, had it not been for the two crooked real estate a-holes who put a wrench in her plan initially. But that’s all I have as far as “negative”, otherwise, it was refreshing that the heroine is a regular person (minus being xformed into a froggette), not a mistreated stepchild nor a princess trapped in her kingdom nor a metahuman fish who wants to marry a prince at 16, mind you, but a regular girl with goals that is more relatable to real people.
Not sure what the “negative” representation of Caucasians was being referred to, as noted in the review. I thought the ditzy blonde best friend, Charlotte, was very loyal to Tiana so much so that she didn’t even blink once to kiss the frog to Princify him for Tiana. If it was in reference to the two real estate or banker guys, or whoever they were, they could’ve been green and purple stripes and still would’ve sent the same message (money makes a lot of people crooked). If it was the goofy swamp rats trying to catch the frogs, well, that’s not Caucasians in general, just the bass-ackwards bayou types. Remember, the REAL bad guy in the movie was also Black, just like the Heroine.
Re-Disneyfying and familiar resemblances: Loved the cameo of King Triton as a float. Mama Odie’s snake reminded me of a mix between Sir Hiss of Robin Hood and Kaa from the Jungle Book, and Louise the Gator reminded me of Baloo in his demeanor. Mama Odie kinda reminds me of Mulan’s grandmother, too.
Man, really want to know how can you be that smart, lol…great read, thanks.
Hi webmaster and commenters ! The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!b Keep ‘em coming… you all do such a great job at such Concepts… can’t tell you how much I, for one appreciate all you do!
I recently came across this blog and have enjoyed the content. I look forward to future articles and will definitely link to this and tell the people I know. Thanks.
I have been checking out a few of your stories and i must say pretty clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
Love this article. Where did you find this information?
Feel free to post in your newsletter if it is appropriate to do so.