Hollywood Product: The Princess and the Frog (1)

By Curt Holman Thursday December 10, 2009 05:10 PM EST

GENRE: Old-school Disney princess cartoon feature

THE PITCH: In 1920s New Orleans, hardworking waitress Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) hits a bump on the road to buying her own restaurant when she kisses enchanted prince-turned-frog Naveen (Bruno Campos) and — oops! — transforms into an amphibian herself.

MONEY SHOTS: The film’s musical numbers shine, including the sinister Friends on the Other Side by evil hoodoo man Dr. Facilier (Keith David); the zydeco-flavored Gonna Take You There bayou tour by Cajun firefly Ray (Jim Cummings); the gospel tune Dig a Little Deeper by friendly witch-woman Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis); and Tiana’s spunky Almost There, animated with a witty Art Deco flourish. Dr. Facilier’s shadow, which has a wicked life of its own, also provides a highlight.

BEST LINE: I’m green, and I’m slimy That’s not slime. I’m secreting mucous! Tiana declares upon being frog-ified. The mucous line becomes an unexpected running joke.

Continue Reading “Hollywood Product: The Princess and the Frog”