People don't want to see crappy hand-drawn animation in a theatre. If you're going to have a crappy story and crappy art, save it for TV - someone might like it. Or not, there's plenty of great animated TV series that have failed to find an audience, most often, because they never air a full 1st season, and no regular timeslot.
In the cinema, a good story can augment any film. However unknown the cast, however unfamiliar the aesthetic, setting, or language - a good story, if it can be told, will prevail - word-of-mouth alone will buoy it up.
A friend of mine worked on this movie and I can't wait to see it! Unfortunately, since the studios aren't all on board for the hand-drawn animation, when the work it done, he doesn't work until the next movie comes along. #theprincessandthefrog
I've always felt like the lone hater when it comes to CG animation. Good to see somebody else trying to get hand-drawn work back on the screens. #theprincessandthefrog
I love beautiful, hand drawn animation, but most of the Disney flicks since... I don't know, maybe Mulan, have simply looked boring, and as if less care has been taken in their animation. It seems like Disney is now in the business of churning out crappy sequels to all their good movies (how many Peter Pan and Little Mermaid sequels are there now??). I really, really hope The Frog Princess is good and a return to classic Disney! In any case, it does look gorgeous.
I am excited for the SONGS!!!! I love musicals. I can't wait for a new generation of little girls to get their very own, "Part of your world" #theprincessandthefrog
@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: me too! I've heard one related song -- Never Knew I Needed by Ne-Yo -- it's not exactly the sing-along type but it's so cute nonetheless. And the video has a subtle tie-in to the movie. #theprincessandthefrog
@midwestdesigner: I want to live in a world where it is acceptable to burst into song in order to describe your emotions. Musical monologues are also part of this world. Spontaneous, choregraphed numbers are mandatory. #theprincessandthefrog
I never tuned into Pixar movies because of the flashy graphics. I took a Computer Graphics elective in college, and we watched all of their shorts in class. I was too absorbed by the story to study the technical details.
This is so true. The Disney hand-drawn films that bombed (things seemed to drop off after Pocahontas, I think) were just dull, from what I remember. The story was missing. Pixar movies are great because they understand the importance of storytelling. There are a TON of crappy computer-animated films out there, and no amount of technical wizardry can rescue them from their basic problem, which is that the story itself is lousy. #theprincessandthefrog
@hortense: It's amazing how Pixar manages to make their films more beautiful, more detailed and have a really good story, it just proves that you can have your cake and eat it too. I'll be first in line to buy Up! next week.
@hortense: I agree with the bulk of this. Mulan was fantastic though, and I MUCH prefer it to Pocahontas.
But I do think there was a disconnect in Disney marketing for a while. More in the 2000's. I had no interest in seeing Atlantis, for example, but I rented or borrowed it at some point and really enjoyed it.
I am excited to see TPATF, partly because of the more classical animation. I hope the storytelling is good too though! :) #theprincessandthefrog
@LaComtesse: That's the only "Recent" Disney movie I like. All of the others I've been really disappointed with. TENG is just hilarious, both adults and children can laugh at it. Great movie. #theprincessandthefrog
@LaComtesse: YES! The Emperor's New Groove is my FAVORITE. Kronk never fails to amuse me with his blithe silliness and sudden brilliance :) #theprincessandthefrog
As disappointed as I am about the first African-American "princess" spending 90% of the movie as a frog, I agree with Dodai that at least the human version will be at the park -- and, presumably, on all the merchandise -- for girls (and boys) to see. #theprincessandthefrog
I'm really excited for this movie. A lot of people seem to be upset that Tiana will be spending the movie as a frog. Really? I mean, Mulan was a man for half of her film. Somebody else just told me that Tiana wasn't a princess to begin with, that since she marries a prince it is demeaning to women. Belle wasn't a princess either at first, but she was pretty much one of the best heroines, ever, along with Cinderella. And as for working as a maid being offensive? Please. Cinderella worked her ass off being the house maid for her icky step-family. Why can't people just let the kids (and I) enjoy this movie instead of weighing it down with the PC patrol?
@totallynavy: I was under the impression that neither Tiana nor her "prince" were actually a princess or prince, due to the fact that the movie takes place in 1920's America. In the movie storybooks I've seen at work, though, it seems that her restaurant at the end is called "Tiana's Palace" or something similar, thus making them "royalty". #theprincessandthefrog
@bookling: SPOILER SPOILER: We just got the story book (easy reader version). In the book, there is no indication that Prince Naveen is a fake prince. He gets turned into a frog by evil Facilier. He has to kiss a princess to turn back into a prince. He sees Tiana at a costume party dressed as a princess, and mistakes her for one. They kiss, but since she is NOT a princess, SHE turns into a frog. They then spend time trying to get fixed. He is then supposed to kiss another princess (who looks to be a grown up little blond girl that was friends with Tiana), but it is too late. By that time, Tiana and the prince are in love (as frogs) and get married (as frogs). By marrying the prince, Tiana becomes a real princess, so when they kiss, it actually works, and POOF they turn back into people. Then she gets her very own restaurant at the end. #theprincessandthefrog
@mommy_dearest: So does "prince/princess" just equal "rich person/old money" here? I'm just confused because without kings and queens, how can you have princes and princesses? #theprincessandthefrog
@bookling: It doesn't say where Prince Naveen is from, but it does say that he is visiting New Orleans, not actually from there. So I assume he is from another country? #theprincessandthefrog
I'm also thrilled Disney has finally figured out what to do with the color green besides Tinkerbell. Every princess has her signature color(s).
Snow White -- red, blue, yellow
Cinderella -- blue
Sleeping Beauty -- pink
Ariel -- red and green
Belle -- yellow
Jasmine -- purple
Pocahontas -- brown
Mulan -- aqua and pink
Black is for the bad girls
That leaves orange for the future La Princesa Latina!!
Seriously, doesn't the whole concept of a QuinceaƱera fit right into a Disney movie? ! #theprincessandthefrog
@pengcat: They needed someone cool to keep the Beast company. You just know that the two Prince Charmings are like that annoying couple that makes out all the time and ignores everyone around them. #theprincessandthefrog
I'm not watching this movie because I am terrified of frogs. I can't even stand the trailer. I'm glad there's no giant frog at the Magic Kingdom. #theprincessandthefrog
The expression on Snow White's face reminds me of the scene in The Little Mermaid, in which the other princess mermaids sing about their charms and go to introduce Ariel, who is not there, and the music screeches and everything goes to pot.
In other news, Tiana's presence excites me, and I was never a big princess fan.
11/02/09
In the cinema, a good story can augment any film. However unknown the cast, however unfamiliar the aesthetic, setting, or language - a good story, if it can be told, will prevail - word-of-mouth alone will buoy it up.
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Love,
Pixar's bitch
I never tuned into Pixar movies because of the flashy graphics. I took a Computer Graphics elective in college, and we watched all of their shorts in class. I was too absorbed by the story to study the technical details.
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But I do think there was a disconnect in Disney marketing for a while. More in the 2000's. I had no interest in seeing Atlantis, for example, but I rented or borrowed it at some point and really enjoyed it.
I am excited to see TPATF, partly because of the more classical animation. I hope the storytelling is good too though! :) #theprincessandthefrog
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Snow White -- red, blue, yellow
Cinderella -- blue
Sleeping Beauty -- pink
Ariel -- red and green
Belle -- yellow
Jasmine -- purple
Pocahontas -- brown
Mulan -- aqua and pink
Black is for the bad girls
That leaves orange for the future La Princesa Latina!!
Seriously, doesn't the whole concept of a QuinceaƱera fit right into a Disney movie? ! #theprincessandthefrog
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[www.disneystore.com]
Expensive, but if it were my size I'd totally buy it. #theprincessandthefrog
10/27/09
In other news, Tiana's presence excites me, and I was never a big princess fan.