The Princess And The Frog (U) (From The Northern Echo)

The Princess And The Frog (U)

12:54pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in

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Voices: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Terrence Howard, Oprah Winfrey, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings

97 mins

THE latest full-length animation from the Walt Disney studios features a couple of firsts – the first Africa-American princess and the first cartoon in a long time that’s been hand drawn rather than computer drawn.

What emerges is a throwback – in a good way – to the heyday of Disney with a cartoon that has catchy songs, cute animals, a handsome prince and a plucky heroine who can more than hold her own in post-World War One New Orleans.

Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), daughter of a widowed seamstress, dreams of opening her own restaurant in honour of her late father (Terrence Howard). Her plan is waylaid by a talking frog, who claims to be Prince Naveen of Malvonia (Bruno Campos) All he wants is one kiss to break the spell that’s been put on him.

There’s a twist – when she kisses him she turns into a frog as well. That’ll teach ‘em.

In the colourful mix, along with a music-loving alligator and a crazy firefly, are plenty of ingredients to keep all the family happy what with cute animals, Randy Newman tunes and a voodoo-favouring villain Dr Facilier (Keith David) who has his own plans for Tiana.

Tiana and Naveen must track down queen of the bayou Mama Odie (Jennifer Leiws), a blind 197-year-old keen to prove there’s life in the old gal yet.

Directors Ron Clements and John Musker, who previously made The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, do a good job at keeping up the interest by taking unexpected routes along the way.