From the looks of this new trailer, The Princess and the Frog plans to offer everything I expect from first-class animation: a fully realized alternate universe, an effortless sense humor, distinctive voice work, lush visual opulence, a fresh approach to a classic theme, and a sense of imaginative magic — all the things Pixar provided in abundance with Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, and WALL-E. But failed, for me, to achieve with Up. [ducks] I wonder how many insider chuckles were had by the hand-drawn animators in creating the scene where the balloons pop.
30 Responses for "The Princess and the Frog, Trailer 2"
Can’t wait!
A new classic!
People here in Louisiana were rather put off by Benjamin Button being set in New Orleans. I think they’re getting a bit tired of NOLA being the latest Hollywood scene. I’m nervous about how this is going to play down here, especially with so many Cajun and Creole caricatures at work.
I LOVE IT!
“…failed, for me, to achieve with Up.”
To be fair, probably should’ve have said “failed to fully achieve.” (I’d already used the word “fully” a couple of lines earlier.)
But really, bottom line, failure to fully achieve something is a little like failure to fully impregnate somebody, isn’t it?
***distinctive voice work, lush visual opulence, a fresh approach to a classic theme, and a sense of imaginative magic***
And this isn’t in abundance in “Up?” Think a little harder, Ryan.
in unrelated news – i just read that army archerd has died….
so she’s a frog for a hefty chunk of the movie? damn! disney, I see you discriminate equally. Even the animated black women don’t get any decent screen time from you.
Even if Up didn’t have all of those things (which it did), it had more than enough emotional depth (achieved more of that in just the first 20 minutes than most movies do in 100) and interesting character development to make up for it.
“…achieved more of that in just the first 20 minutes than most movies do in 100″
Agreed, Daniel. Now if only the whole movie had been up to the standards of those first 20, and two more minutes at the very end, then maybe I’d be a bigger fan.
“interesting character development”? Lou Grant learns how to hug? Gee, never saw that coming.
“interesting character development”? Lou Grant learns how to hug? Gee, never saw that coming.”
You missed the point entirely. It’s not that Carl learns how to hug. He was shown to be quite capable of that early on. It’s that he learns how to let go and continue living.
Unfair simplification on my part, Jesus, but honestly I wish I found the “development” you describe any more interesting or surprising: “he learns how to let go and continue living.”
Either Carl already decided to keep on living and pursuing adventure in the first 10 minutes, when he launched the house, or else that realization suddenly dawned on him in the final moments when he finally got around to turning the page in the album and had a Eureka! moment. Either way, not a very steep arc, for me. He could have as easily “developed” the ability to turn a page in a book without ever setting sail for South America. The adventure was filler, for me, and didn’t advance anyone’s personal growth, at all. Also, I like to see more than one character develop in a movie. Ratatouille gave us 5 or 6 intersecting arcs.
i might also have to duck on this comment…
i love the Pixar films passionately.
Lassiter and his co-horts are geniuses.
but their films lack one thing that the classic animated,
hand-drawn Disney films possess in abundance…glorious music.
granted, Michael Giacchino’s scores have been very good,
especially for INCREDIBLES, but can you recall the music
off the top of your head? i was expecting something
wonderful to accompany Carl and his flying house–
something akin to Victor Young’s score that accompanied
David Niven and Cantinflas’ flight in a balloon.
but no. it was serviceable at best.
Pixar needs to join up with Alan Menken.
Might be just me, but this looks like a rehashing of old Disney tropes. The wishing on a star = Pinocchio. The animals wanting to be human again = Beauty and the Beast (with the dinnerware – there was a song cut called “Human Again”).
Oh, and it looks like the magic Negro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_negro) will be well represented as well.
“I’m nervous about how this is going to play down here, especially with so many Cajun and Creole caricatures at work.”
Oh come on, look at POCAHONTAS and…shit, you’re right.
Jake D – Ah yes, Disney and Magic Negro go way back to FANTASIA and SONG OF THE SOUTH. Weird how Disney refuses to release SONG on DVD in America, but does so in Europe and Latin America, and Japan. Talk about double insulting standards.
And I know all that because I owned SONG on tape as a kid. Courtesy of the local Miami flea market/bootleg tables back in the day. I shit you not. I feel dirty just admitting this fact.
I liked Up, but I really don’t want it to get nominated simply because of that attitude the Academy seems to have towards animation. Pixar being Pixar, there’s a big chance they’ll make another film as brilliant as Wall-E or Ratatouille in a few years and then, it’s likely the Academy will just ignore it again, thinking how the nomination for Up should shut the complaining bloggers for another few years.
I actually like that Pixar doesn’t turn every film into a Broadway musical. I agree that there are memorable songs, but many times the big show-stopping numbers take me out of the flow of the story.
Jake D says :: “it looks like the magic Negro will be well represented as well.”
Jake G. Says :: Some of my best friends are magic Negros.
Jake D – Ah yes, Disney and Magic Negro go way back to FANTASIA and SONG OF THE SOUTH. Weird how Disney refuses to release SONG on DVD in America, but does so in Europe and Latin America, and Japan. Talk about double insulting standards.
The NAACP has threatened Disney with lawsuits, and/or boycotts if it is released here, which is a shame because it is a fantastic movie. What’s insulting is the Academy only gave Remus a special Oscar instead of just nominating or giving him the win.
I’m just not feeling this movie, I don’t think Disney itself is capable of pulling off anything brilliant anymore. It’s been a long time since The Lion King, even though Mulan was pretty good as well. I just see it as a dud, what they need is some of the Pixar guys to come in and show them what to do. Traditional animation must come back, I want a film as good as Cinderella again dammit.
Disney should look into adapting Rabbit Hill, great story.
Jake G: Not saying that the magic Negro doesn’t exist, but it’s a lazy stock character. I think that’s the main difference between Disney and Pixar’s animated pics: Disney deals in adaptations, makes everything a musical, and is light on originality. Pixar uses original screenplays, ideas, and characters, and their success is probably dependent on it at this point (I would say Up was a mild misfire on this front, though).
Did the young guy and plump older companion just walk in from the animated ‘Anastasia’? I swear they are identical to Dimitri and whats-his-name …. features, clothing, mannerisms. Its putting me off the movie when everything else is clicking.
#8 “Even the animated black women don’t get any decent screen time from you.”
Only because she`s not fat. The fat one with the gator ain`t turnin` in no frog.
All this trailer resonated for me was a thundering meh.
Ryan, I think the whole “taking off with the house” thing was more about fulfilling his life’s wish than actually embarking on an adventure… in fact, I thought it was pretty morbid, really, like he was just gonna go there and die (how the hell was he supposed to live over there, after all??).
IMO it’s only much later in the film (quite close to the end) that he actually lets go and starts living for himself.
I know I always say this this time of the year, but once again, the Pixar film is my fave of the year so far!
(I’m only commenting on Up now ‘cuz it opened here in Brazil last friday and I avoided all talk over it to remain spoiler-free, btw)
Up is much beloved so I’m willing to accept the sad fact that I’m missing the boat, André.
Although it’s not a favorite of mind I’ve never said I don’t think there’s an excellent chance Up could land in the Big 10.
I hate to say it, but I kind of agree with Afrika, it was kind of meh. There was nothing here that has not been fully done by Disney before and I thought the whole trailer felt like a wannabe from the 90s renaissance for Disney. I still want and look forward to seeing it because I adore hand drawn animation but this trailer was rather bland.
I can see that this trailer has given some of you an excuse to start making magic negro jokes. You know yourself; you’ve been warned.
Geez Afrika, you sure do find something to complain about don’t you? When it’s her prince not being Black (though he’s not white either) to the main character being a frog for most of the movie, you sure do find something to quibble about. If I recall correctly, you sounded pretty excited for this movie. What happened?
For me, it looks alright, though the animation looks vibrant and splendid.
Oh, and I saw 9 earlier this afternoon. Oscar chances don’t look so good.
Nick K
what happened? I discovered that disney was using “first black princess” as a marketing strategy. The “black” princess is a frog for a huge chunk of the movie; talk about revolutionary right? and after watching the trailer multiple times, I don’t see any originality at all. My desperate hope for the return of old Disney classics and my excitement over disney’s first “black” princess ( frog princess is more I like it) skewed my ability to be accurately subjective (just what Disney wanted). I’ve come to my senses and this movie is going to be a HOT BOILING MESS. With 9 getting lackluster reviews (UNFORTUNATELY!!!! AHHH THAT WAS MY PICK FOR FAVORITE MOVIE OF THE YEAR) I guess the underwhelming UP is going to be the animated champion at the Oscars.
Disney princess book…
The Princess and the Frog, Trailer 2 is an excellent post about the Disney princess book….
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