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What MovieMonkeys Thought:

The Princess And The Frog is quite possibly the best non-Pixar Disney release of the past 20 years. Produced in glorious 2-D hand-drawn animation, the film is both funny and magical, with an original take on the classic Frog Prince tale. The story moves at the swinging pace of a jazz big band, with a soundtrack guaranteed to get toes a-tapping by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story”.) Indeed the songs "Almost There" and "Down In New Orleans" have both been nominated for Best Song, and the film is unsurprisingly up for Best Animated Feature at next month's Academy Awards. There's plenty of fun to be had for kids of all ages, from toddlers to grown-ups. It's sweet and enchanting, but never sickly so, with a few emotional moments to balance the laughs in pure Disney tradition. In development since 2006, The Princess and the Frog exudes classic Disney charm. Cynics may feel that Walt Disney Animation Studios are cashing in on the Obama effect with their first ever African-American Princess, but while this indeed lends a topical angle to the media across the pond it changes nothing: The Princess And The Frog is an absolute delight.