Review: Old story, new twist

Princess and the Frog
Cast(Voices):  Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, John Goodman
Director: Ron Clements, Rob Edwards
Rating: * * * ½

Disney harks back to it’s classic tradition with this new-fangled, reappointed modern animated comedy set in the city of New Orleans.

A beautiful black girl Tiana(Anika Noni Rose) dreams of setting up her very own restaurant. Pauper Prince of Moldovia, Naveen(Bruno Campos) wants to marry an heiress Charlotte( Jennofer Cody) so that he can live in the style he is accustomed to but both did not reckon with falling in love.

This take has a conspicuous modern twist with an  African-American heroine, a 1920’s New Orleans setting, a Prince who has been kicked out of the palace for his lazy no-good ways, the transformations from royalty to frog occurring from voodoo, animals with musical abilities and the love-match fashioned from resilience and steadfastness rather than instant attraction.

The narrative follows the modern rom-com route and is embellished with several lusty numbers traditional to the region and setting.

The hand-drawn animation is vibrant and visually inspiring, richly replicating the architectural variances of the New Orleans region- a truly refreshing ride for all age-groups!