Familiar yet unconventional ‘Princess’

Some spoilers ahead.

The animated “The Princess and the Frog” recreates the magic formula of classic romance-adventure Disney cartoons while harnessing a contemporary vibe. Tiana is independent and determined, a young black waitress who dreams of running her own New Orleans restaurant. Things aren’t easy, and they’re about to get unbelievably difficult. One fateful day, she tries to turn a pleading frog back to human--a foreign prince, actually--by kissing it, but becomes a frog herself.

The journey is colorful and bouncy with music, but while the songs aren’t as memorable as the well-crafted ones from the hit Disney movie soundtracks of years past, there are some good lyric-driven tunes and playful numbers. And there are quirky, unique characters that join the frog couple’s quest, like the trumpet-playing alligator Louis and the romantic firefly Ray, who both add comedic and dramatic moments to the adventure. The ragtag band of swamp critters faces the villainy of the Shadow Man, a creepy, Jafar-like adversary.

One odd thing about it, though: Tiana is like the classic princesses Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, in the sense that she’s ultimately rescued by the dashing prince. Sure, she’s her own woman and all, capable of working for her own future and hardly a defenseless damsel, but she could’ve gotten a better ending.

But it’s still entertaining and empowering, and a nice return to a less visually “busy” animated style.

“The Princess and the Frog” opens February 3 in Metro Manila.