A fairy tale for the 21st Century
Amelia Murphy
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Opinions
Think back to when your most treasured possession was your classic tin Disney princess lunchbox. Maybe it still is your most treasured possession. Either way, much can be determined from analyzing such a lunchbox: Princess eyelash lengths vary greatly, Snow White's skin is actually less white than some of her fellow princesses and diversity in fairy tale land is lacking.
This December, Princess and the Frog will revolutionize the lunchbox, adding a new character to the annals of Disney princess history. The timeless story will follow a black princess named Tiana through the city of New Orleans and will be the first princess story on this side of the Atlantic since Pocahontas.
Not only will the new princess have some color, but the prince will not be the usual man in tights - at least for most of the movie. Instead, Prince Charming will be a green leaping frog asking for help from the lovely maiden.
Though modern in its characters and setting, Princess harks back to the classic fairy tales we grew up with by using traditional hand-drawn techniques. In 2003, after the success of Shrek and Finding Nemo, Disney made the decision to switch to computer-generated technology. However, after Disney took over Pixar in 2006, Pixar co-founders lobbied for Disney to go back to its traditional methods.
"I've never understood why the studios were saying people don't want to see hand-drawn animation," John Lasseter, co-founder of Pixar and executive producer of Princess, said. "What people don't want to watch is a bad movie."
The idea was born - to make a movie using traditional hand-drawn methods but make it a success with a witty and fun storyline. I, for one, can't wait to see the result. Yes, computer animated movies like The Incredibles have been very enjoyable, but it will be a breath of fresh air to come back to Disney princess roots: hand-drawn images dancing and singing in the characteristic Disney musical style. It's part of the magic!
This December, Princess and the Frog will revolutionize the lunchbox, adding a new character to the annals of Disney princess history. The timeless story will follow a black princess named Tiana through the city of New Orleans and will be the first princess story on this side of the Atlantic since Pocahontas.
Not only will the new princess have some color, but the prince will not be the usual man in tights - at least for most of the movie. Instead, Prince Charming will be a green leaping frog asking for help from the lovely maiden.
Though modern in its characters and setting, Princess harks back to the classic fairy tales we grew up with by using traditional hand-drawn techniques. In 2003, after the success of Shrek and Finding Nemo, Disney made the decision to switch to computer-generated technology. However, after Disney took over Pixar in 2006, Pixar co-founders lobbied for Disney to go back to its traditional methods.
"I've never understood why the studios were saying people don't want to see hand-drawn animation," John Lasseter, co-founder of Pixar and executive producer of Princess, said. "What people don't want to watch is a bad movie."
The idea was born - to make a movie using traditional hand-drawn methods but make it a success with a witty and fun storyline. I, for one, can't wait to see the result. Yes, computer animated movies like The Incredibles have been very enjoyable, but it will be a breath of fresh air to come back to Disney princess roots: hand-drawn images dancing and singing in the characteristic Disney musical style. It's part of the magic!
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
joe772
posted 12/05/09 @ 7:08 PM EST
This 'PRINCESS FROG the story of maddie' movie is
not acceptable. Its disturbing how hollywood producers suddenly throw in a black princess during the Obama era, such hypocrites, they don't care about the black cause except to make money, they are a group of White people who probably send their kids to expensive private schools with as little black kids as possible. (Continued…)
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