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movie: The Princess and the Frog
Apr. 9th, 2010 10:06 pmIn a better world, this would be an average, mediocre-to-decent animated film. In this world, it'll pass for a very good one. Compared to that disappointing other animated film about an animal chef, and many other works from the same outfit - though mind, I haven't seen the really recent ones - it was a satisfying experience.
Disney sets a dignified pace. No frantic rushing about, and above all, a clear and linear plot without any pointless byways or lax sequences that make me wonder, "Why did they devote all the time and effort needed to animate this?" Sentimentality without schmaltz. Knowledge and appreciation of the place the story is set in (I liked the Shreveport joke, and the Tennessee Williams references, and I want some of that gumbo). It didn't face the racial issues head-on, and I don't expect a Disney children's animated film to; but it wasn't entirely evasive either. The animation was artful throughout; the background scenery, especially in the city, was stunningly good, and so was the fantasy sequence in Harlem Renaissance art style.
Only problems were: not a single memorable song - from Disney, who've given us "Under the Sea" and the "Beauty and the Beast" title song, not to mention many older classics, this is inexcusable - and too many butt jokes.
I also question the necessity of getting Names like Oprah and John Goodman for voices. They could both have been somebody else for all I could tell. Goodman is such a physical actor, without seeing him he is robbed of most of his talent.
Disney sets a dignified pace. No frantic rushing about, and above all, a clear and linear plot without any pointless byways or lax sequences that make me wonder, "Why did they devote all the time and effort needed to animate this?" Sentimentality without schmaltz. Knowledge and appreciation of the place the story is set in (I liked the Shreveport joke, and the Tennessee Williams references, and I want some of that gumbo). It didn't face the racial issues head-on, and I don't expect a Disney children's animated film to; but it wasn't entirely evasive either. The animation was artful throughout; the background scenery, especially in the city, was stunningly good, and so was the fantasy sequence in Harlem Renaissance art style.
Only problems were: not a single memorable song - from Disney, who've given us "Under the Sea" and the "Beauty and the Beast" title song, not to mention many older classics, this is inexcusable - and too many butt jokes.
I also question the necessity of getting Names like Oprah and John Goodman for voices. They could both have been somebody else for all I could tell. Goodman is such a physical actor, without seeing him he is robbed of most of his talent.
