Reviewed by Kate Rodger
This
is a return to old school hand-drawn animation for Disney, and it's proven
already an excellent move for the House of Mouse with a film well-received
overseas by critics and the box office alike.
Think
your classic girlie fairytale, kissing a frog or two to find your prince, but
with a Broadway musical feel and set against a backdrop of jazz, gumbo and
voodoo in New Orleans.
Disney
debuts its first African-American princess-in-waiting, with sassy lovable
hardworking Cinderella-type Tiana, who dreams of owning her own restaurant.
All
sorts of voodoo shenanigans ensue involving a visiting penniless Prince on the
hunt for a rich girl with a big dowry, and a rather nasty local with other
money-making plans of his own.
With
all the high-tech adult-friendly animated movies pouring out of Hollywood for the waiting
knee-high masses this delightful Disney throwback could easily have missed its
mark - but it gently hits the box office bullseye.
While
perhaps suited more for the young princesses in the household, there are plenty
of frog jokes, trumpeting alligators and toothless fireflies to please most of
the family.
A
couple of scary voodoo moments for the most faint of heart, but all in a days
work for any budding princesses.
4
stars.
The Princess and the Frog
:: Director: Ron Clements and John Musker
:: Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David
:: Running Time: 97 mins
:: Rating: G
:: Release Date: Now playing
:: Trailer: Click here
