VIDEO: First Five Minues of The Princess and The Frog...

Walt Disney Pictures has released the opening five minutes of their upcoming return to hand-drawn animation, The Princess and The Frog, online for your enjoyment. There isn't a ton of plot here, as it is just the opening five minutes, but what we do get introduced to aside from the character we will be following for the span of the film, Tiana, is the particular style that the film will have. The video does feature a bit of unfinished animation, but for the most part, we see that it will feature great animation, that while being a return to form, adds to classics from years past with hints of CG assistance. However, not all of this is to fluid, and can be quite polarizing at moments. It will definitely be an interesting film to see how people respond to it. Here's to hoping the finished product will work.

Enjoy!



Here's the synopsis (via /Film, the source of this news)

The Walt Disney Studios continues its fairy tale legacy in animation by taking moviegoers on an all-new “once upon a time” musical adventure. Set in the legendary birthplace of jazz – New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana, a young African-American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter. From the heart of Louisiana’s mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery with a soulful singing crocodile, voodoo spells and Cajun charm at every turn.

Featuring the voices of Anika Noni Rose (as Princess Tiana), Oprah Winfrey, Keith David, Jim Cummings, John Goodman, Jenifer Lewis, Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley, Peter Bartlett and Terrence Howard. Directed by and based on an original story written by Disney’s acclaimed filmmaking duo John Musker & Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules). Scored and music written by Oscar®-winning songwriter/composer and New Orleans native Randy Newman (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc.).

Go see something good!

NEWS: Princess and The Frog Behind The Scenes Featurettes Sparking Controversy?

On Tuesday, Disney hit the interwebs hard with five, count 'em, five new behind the scenes featurettes for their upcoming return to 2-D animation, the Princess and The Frog. However, one thing that they may not have expected, was the apparent buzz created around these videos, and what seems to be some sketchy views on race, particularly in one new character.

Thanks to /Film for the heads up!

Today, both Movieline and CinemaBlend have questioned the representation offered by Mama Odie, a “fairy godmother” character. Movieline propose that Odie is an offensive stereotype, in the vein of Aunt Jemima; CinemaBlend contest that they don’t see the issue. What side will I come down on?

Having seen the videos, the one I'm least worried about is the one that is sparking all of the controversy. To be honest, I don't think Disney is THAT dumb, to go complete Transformers 2 on us, by throwing in random racial stereotypes. However, if there is a character that is cause for pause, it's Ray. Ray is the most reminiscent to the afformentioned Twins from Transformers Revenge of The Fallen. /Film sums up how I feel about these two controversial characters rather well.

But I’m still only a little worried about Ray. I don’t think Disney are about to make a serious misstep here. They’ve been keeping Song of the South in the vaults for a good while now, scared of the inevitable controversy and stockroom wrecking that its (well deserved, wrongly denied) release might cause. I don’t think they’d be cooking up another film to effectively do damage in its stead. Animation is produced slowly enough, and under enough scrutiny - and in this case, by folks smart enough - that any creeping prejudice would surely be sniffed out. I’m expecting anything that looks stereotypical here to possibly be subverted, or at least contextualized, in the finished film.

I couldn't have said it better. Disney has done this type of thing before, and they are ones to be a little touchy about race. Not only do they have the impossible to find Song Of The South, but along with others, most famously changed a lyric in the opening tune of Aladdin, which the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee found unacceptable. Disney has done this before, but have been quick to either clean it up in post production or just get rid of the character, or in Song of the South's case, the film as a whole.

You can watch all five videos HERE.

What do YOU think about this news? Do you think this is even important, or just something brought up by the interwebs?

Go see something good!

TRAILER: The Princess and The Frog...

Honestly, there is no movement that I am more annoyed with that 3D animation (not from Pixar). I may sound like a lame ass, but I miss the days of gorgeous 2D, hand drawn animation. Whether it be classic Disney films like Beauty and The Beast or The Little Mermaid, or more out there films, at least stylistically, like my favorite animated film of all time, The Tripletts of Belleville.

However, after taking a rather lame foray into 3D animation, Disney is returning to their bread and butter, with what looks like a wonderful new tale to throw on their already classic canon. This is the first full length trailer from the Princess and The Frog, and can be seen below, and will be shown before Up, when that hits theatres later this month.

Oh, and before people get all hot and angered for even uttering this films name alongside other classic Disney films, I'm not comparing them, but honestly, tell me that this film doesn't look great, and that it didn't bring you back to those glory days of 2D animation. Just saying.



The Walt Disney Studios continues its fairy tale legacy in animation by taking moviegoers on an all-new “once upon a time” musical adventure. Set in the legendary birthplace of jazz – New Orleans, The Princess and the Frog will introduce the newest Disney princess, Tiana, a young African-American girl living amid the charming elegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter. From the heart of Louisiana’s mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, enchantment and discovery with a soulful singing crocodile, voodoo spells and Cajun charm at every turn.

Featuring the voices of Anika Noni Rose (as Princess Tiana), Oprah Winfrey, Keith David, Jim Cummings, John Goodman, Jenifer Lewis, Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley, Peter Bartlett and Terrence Howard.

Directed by and based on an original story written by Disney’s acclaimed filmmaking duo John Musker & Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules). Scored and music written by Oscar®-winning songwriter/composer and New Orleans native Randy Newman (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc.).

Go see something good!