#22 – The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Best Character: Dr. Facilier
Worst Character: Lawrence
Although I like Tiana as a character more than Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora, their films are just more enjoyable to me. It’s too bad that she’s the first princess to fall, but oh well! I have no sentimental attachments whatsoever to the south, yet this movie is all about it. Its customs, its food, its culture, its atmosphere – the film embodies my mental image of the South. If someone had more of a sentimental attitude towards the South I could see it placing higher, but I don’t.
This film was a tremendous leap for Disney, and I’d argue we’re in the early stages of the next Disney Renaissance. To me it started a year earlier with Bolt, but The Princess and the Frog is definitely a film worthy of the praise it receives. I’m so glad that Disney not only brought back a princess movie, but one that used classic animation and included songs! I’ve missed Disney musicals so much over the years, and I was so glad that they finally brought them back. I was more hyped for The Princess and the Frog than any other Disney film that I can remember if only because I knew it was going to be a musical. I was so looking forward to discovering a song or two that would potentially catapult into my top 10.
Unfortunately I was a little let down by the songs. There are only two songs that I can remember off the top of my head, and one of them is actually pretty weak. Facilier’s song has some great visuals, but the song itself is very lackluster. Facilier doesn’t really sing it… he just sort of talks with slight musical intonation. The song also repeats itself in a number of circumstances, indicating sloppy writing to me. The other song I remember is My Belle Evangeline, which is actually pretty good. It has a good atmosphere, develops the romance between Tiana and Naveen, and provides a great moment between Ray and Evangeline. The rest of the songs just don’t do it for me. I’ve never been a fan of jazz, and the fact that the film drew such a huge influence from jazz doesn’t help my enjoyment of the film.
The characters are really the highlight of the film for me. Dr. Facilier is a great Disney villain that looks like he came right out of the films from the Disney Renaissance. He’s got great style, and I love his gimmick with his friends from the other side. I wish they went more in depth with their relationship, but it was ominous enough that I still enjoyed watching it. I also especially love his gimmick with his shadow. It’s the little things in the background that make me appreciate his shadow so much, and it’s entertaining to look out for them. While the rest of the cast doesn’t quite hold up to Facilier, most are good in their own way, especially the supporting characters. Just from his voice I though Ray would be obnoxious, but he’s actually really easy to root for and has some genuinely touching scenes revolving around his love for Evangeline. Louis is also a good complimentary character, as he inserts just the right amount of humor into a few of the scenes. Lottie is kind of annoying, but I suppose she provides a good contrast between herself and Tiana. Mama Odie is kind of forgettable, and another example of a song I didn’t like in the film. Lawrence is by far the worst of them all, however, as he’s nothing but a spineless coward.