CINEMA: The Princess and The Frog

Pixar have managed to corner the market in astounding computer-generated family entertainment with their varied output under the Disney banner.

So, it was only a matter of time until head honcho John Lasseter, who has taken over as head of Disney’s animation department, wanted a return to the traditional cell animation that made Disney’s name.

Featuring the first African-American heroine in an animated Disney film, this story is set in 1920s New Orleans and tells the story of Tiana, voiced by Anika Noni Rose. She works hard to fulfil her lifelong dream of opening her own restaurant, meeting a prince and sharing her cooking with everyone, spreading happiness and love.

Her best friend Charlotte (Jennifer Cody) also wants to marry a prince and live happily ever after. So when Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos) arrives in town, Charlotte wants to meet him. Her father plans a big party and gets Tiana to provide the food. A spell is cast on Prince Naveen to turn him into a frog and he is then discovered by Tiana while she is wishing on a star for a prince to come.

As this is the first hand-drawn animated film from Disney since 2004′s Home on the Range there was a lot to expect from directors Ron Clements and John Musker and it does not disappoint.

The music and songs are provided by Pixar’s regular composer, Randy Newman, and are a brilliant mix of New Orleans jazz and modern numbers that are not only catchy but strong enough to survive a listen outside of the film. Dr Facilier is a fantastic old-school Disney villain whose appearances in the film are scary and fun and the voice work of Keith David is perfect.

It’s a brilliant story and hugely enjoyable for adults and children and can proudly sit amid Disney’s greatest output. This is excellent entertainment and a fantastic reboot for classic hand-drawn animation and deserves to be seen on the big screen.

You may also like:

• DVD: Enchanted
• CINEMA: Princess