Movie Review: The Princess and the Frog

I will admit that I am difficult and extra - particularly when it comes to the things my children will view.  I am quick to find something - anything wrong with children's movies and especially TV programming (which is not to say that my children don't watch TV, but I digress).

I have historically not been a fan of the Disney princesses, they seemed to me a relatively weak bunch - who haven't always made good decisions.  And how come most of them don't have momma's?  Because momma's would have put a stop to so much of the foolishness before it EVER happened - that's why and there would be no plot, ergo no movie...but I digress again.

With that backdrop, I took the children to see the Princess and the Frog last week.  I had alternately eagerly and skeptically been waiting for the movie.  After all, it did have the first Black princess and really it's about damn time!  However, I was already geared up to be furiuos if she was lame in any way. 

I have to say, we all enjoyed the movie; and by all I mean my 9-year old son, 5-year old daughter and me.  Unbelievable I know!  Disney managed to make a movie that worked for my 5-year old who just wanted to see a story about a princess; my 9-year old who absolutely did not want to see a mushy story about a princess; and me - who just didn't want to see any tomfoolery or buffonery. 

The movie is set in New Orleans - maybe 1930's?  The main character "Tiana" is a smart, hard working girl (voiced by Anika Noni Rose), trying to save up enough money to have her own restaurant - AND she had a momma.  Not just any momma, but a good momma dishing out good advice (voiced by Oprah). 

The prince is the flighty unresponsible one (you know - so much like real life men).  He gets turned into a frog due to his own foolishness and finds himself at a party that Tiana is catering.  One thing leads to another and she makes the clear mistake of kissing the talking frog (never a good idea) and is turned into one herself.  This is what made the movie enjoyable for my son - it was really about frogs - and how great is that for a nine year old boy?

I liked it because of the underlying themes of hard work, and keeping your priorities straight - goes right along with what I'm trying to instill everyday.  Add to it the good music and we were all happy. 

Conclusion:  Disney - you did good.