The last Disney animated film to be completely hand drawn, The Princess and the Frog didn’t set the box office on fire which is a real shame. Creatively Disney took some risks with this one and they have crafted a beautiful film filled with heart and soul.

 

Prince Naveen, an arrogant spoiled prince is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, a hard working maid, also turns into a frog after kissing the prince. 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 against time to break the spell.

 

On the surface and from the title it would appear that Disney have returned to their tried and true: a princess fairytale. But this is a fairytale, the princess and the frog, with a twist: it’s not set in some far away European - esque castle but in New Orleans with the first African American princess. 

 

It also combines another tried and true Disney story telling format: talking animals. And the combination of princess and talking animals is magnificent aided by one of the most scariest Disney villains since Scar in Dr. Facilier and one of the most heartbreaking death scenes when Ray the firefly passes to be up in the stars.

 

There's great songs too like Tiana's 'Almost There' and Dr. Facilier's spooky 'Friends on the Other Side'. The animation is beautiful and more than aptly displays the wonder of hand drawn animation.

 

Beautiful animation, a heartwarming story with a spooky villain and memorable songs The Princess and the Frog is a movie not to be missed.