Moreland at the Movies: The Princess and the Frog

Movies

The Princess and the Frog by T. A. Moreland

From the time she was a little girl, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), wanted to open her own restaurant.  And her determination only grew with time.

As an adult she worked tirelessly as a waitress to save every penny she earned.  One evening when it looked as if her goal was not going to be accomplished, she kissed a talking frog who promises her that he is a prince who could make all of her dreams come true. Relying on her memory of childhood fairytales, she kisses him.  Well things didn’t exactly happen as promised. The smooch turns her into a frog instead.  And the two amphibians go on their way trying to find out how they can become humans.

Leave it to Disney to tell a great animated story.  While the animation is good but not great by today’s terms, the story is rich, complete and yes, even magical.  THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG takes a well warn plot of the kissed frog that turns into a prince and gives it a freshness and vitality creating a movie that is hopping good! And it undoubtedly will be added to the long line of Disney classics.

Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman lays out the music in way that will make you tap your feet, if not get up and dance.

Not only are there two frogs but there is Dr. Facilier (voice by Keith David) who is responsible for much of the troubles befalling the characters in the film.  MAMA ODIE (voice of Jenifer Lewis) at 197 is not wise beyond her years but at least sufficiently wise for those years. And she guides the frogs around Dr. Facilier’s mischief.  Then there’s Ray (voice of Jim Cummings) the good hearted, almost toothless firefly who is in love with a distant firefly he’s sees each night. No one has the heart to tell him it is actually a star.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another great thing about THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG:  It’s wonderful to see a woman of color as the princess.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG is Rated G, 90 minutes long and it gets an overwhelming SEE IT rating.