I've watched Princess and the Frog a grand total of three times in the last two days. I know, I know, I'm strange. The first time I watched it was with my younger sister, the second time was with both my sisters, and the third time was all three of us with our mom. (My younger sister watched it four times, she's even worse than me). And you know what?! I wanna watch it again tomorrow!!!
Okay, I'm kidding. But no lie, I loved the movie! It was spectacular! Amazing! Wonderful! Funny! Ahh, all these feels for PATF (I will endearingly abbreviate this because I can!).
Normally, after I watch a movie, I formulate my own opinions and thoughts about it, then read reviews online to see how other people found it. More often than not, films I thoroughly enjoy are brutally dissed on the internet. It's either people are incredibly difficult to please, or I am just easily amused. (it's probably both)
Anyway, I couldn't help but compare PATF to Tangled, which I also just watched two weeks ago. I enjoyed Tangled; it was a cute, lighthearted movie, but it felt a little empty to me. The animation and visuals are amazing, no doubt, but the story was lacking heart. (my cheesiness shows) The Flynn Rider/Eugene and Rapunzel tandem was adorable in it's own shallow, Disney way, but seriously Rapunzel? The first boy you meet and hang with for a couple of hours and you fall in love with him already? Ah, can't blame her. If I had been locked up in a tower for 18 years with no human contact other than a schizophrenic, controlling, manipulative mother, I'd be pretty desperate, too.
Also, a guy with a face like this:
Okay, not really. The smoulder face is so douche-y, I would've hit him with a frying pan too. (his non-smoulder face is dreamy, though hihi)
So all in all, Tangled was nice, the dull moments were fewer than the funny ones but it was nice. ... Just nice, is all.
Princess and the Frog, is a whole other story... because it actually HAS a story! (Oh no I di-ent!)
Tiana is a strong, focused, responsible young woman with a can-do attitude, and her Froggy Prince Naveen is a reckless, irresponsible playboy. (It's an age old formula, but hey, it works). Tiana is the proud owner of a good head over her shoulders and Naveen is the owner of an accent so slick and suave I would've fallen in love with him even if he were a frog just from his voice alone. Hehe. And like all movie Prince Charmings, he is a hopeless romantic, but Tiana is too focused on her career to care to fall in love. But oh, they do. (I'm not spoiling anything, really, because you already knew that)
The other characters, like Lottie, Ray (!!!) and Louis are so very endearing, and have much more meaningful roles than just sidekicks or comic relief. (except for maybe Louis the gator) Still, even Louis had a dream. And they were able to make someone with no dialogue whatsoever such a big part of the story. I'm looking at you, Evangeline.
The other characters, like Lottie, Ray (!!!) and Louis are so very endearing, and have much more meaningful roles than just sidekicks or comic relief. (except for maybe Louis the gator) Still, even Louis had a dream. And they were able to make someone with no dialogue whatsoever such a big part of the story. I'm looking at you, Evangeline.
The gem in the story, though, was Lottie. I initially thought she'd be a problem later on, but she was such a sweet, funny, and adorable character that I forgave her for being such a brat to her Big Daddy La Bouff.
If you haven't watched it, I don't want to give much away, but you must watch it. Not convinced? Have a look at this scene from the movie. It's the part where the bad guy lures Prince Naveen and his servant/right hand man/personal yaya into his lair and talks their way into his evil plan. (I'm not spoiling anything ehre either because it's early on in the film) It reminds me somehow of the Genie's You Ain't Never Had A Friend Like Me, but who's complaining? XD
How's that for a villain? Dr. Facilier or The Shadow Man is one of the best Disney villains, hands down. He's got friends from the other side, guys. Whatever that side is, I don't want to know. I'm perfectly content with the greenness of the grass on my side of the fence, thank you.
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Princess and the Frog has comedy, romance (oh mah goodness, that Evangeline song got me so kilig mehn), action, drama, great music, and a modern feel to a classic Disney execution. Go! Watch it now! And watch it again. And again. Annnnd again. And feel all the feels I am being forced to feel by my feelings XD
P.S. I am angry at the world, by the way, because PATF had lower ratings than Tangled. And even in forums, where there would be PATF vs Tangled debates, people ALWAYS chose Tangled. I know it's all a matter of personal preference, but in what universe was Tangled a better film than Princess and the Frog?!?! (I am a little too into this, obviously)
