The Princess and the Frog 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Princess and the Frog 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released the 2009 traditionally animated film 'The Princess and the Frog' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. No new extras are included but the bundled Blu-ray disc, which is identical to that which Disney released in 2010, brings over a fine assortment of extra goodies.

The magical kiss.

The Princess and the Frog 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

The Princess and the Frog puckers up on UHD with a beautiful 2160p/HDR video presentation. The high dynamic range color adjustments are dramatic. The increases in tonal depth and color accuracy are mind-blowing. Skin tones are transformed, adding significant color density and accuracy. Darker tones are firmed up, lighter tones made a bit warmer. Same with clothes. The film's abundantly colorful dresses and suits and flavorful local attire leap off the screen with significant additions to contrast, color depth, and fidelity. These colors in particular are masterworks in HDR transformation. "Transformation" doesn't mean red becomes blue or green yellow but rather bringing a truer, more robust selection of tones to the screen that greatly compliment the movie, bring new life to it, add a critical feel of color abundance, stability, and accuracy to the image. The Blu-ray lacks anything close to this depth. Its tones are airy and light while the UHD's are deep and mesmerizing. Talk about "enchanted." HDR breathes new life into the movie and it will be impossible to watch it ever again without this dazzling display of HDR goodness.

The resolution bump doesn't add nearly as much as the flavorful HDR tones, but there's a distinct increase in line edge definition. The picture has a sharper, cleaner look to it. It's in no way drastic, but tangible nonetheless. Core animation details are not altered with any significance. As it is, the picture is smooth, sharp, and healthy. The UHD never fails to bring out the best of every character model and each example of background artwork. This is a total, stunning display of UHD excellence. Fans will be overjoyed.

The Princess and the Frog 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Princess and the Frog's Dolby Atmos soundtrack delivers a now-typical Disney listing experience. The volume needs to be turned up a few decibels and the track shows some limitations in its dynamics and range, but it's a fairly capable listen overall. With the volume adjusted upward, core elements present with stage authority rather than hushed timidity. The opening title music is nicely engaged and lively, with good, bold beats and smooth, distinctive local flavor that the track handles with accuracy and plenty of front end width. Much of the time, the track proves impressively spacious. "Friends on the Other Side" opens the stage considerably with roomy depth and full channel engagement. On the flip side, when Prince Naveen is introduced just moments later, the sound distinctly lacks engagement and fullness. Some the movie's more intensive scenes do find impressive stage fill, including good top layer engagement by way of complimentary support, but a distinct lack of serious low end depth. Beyond that it's a fairly rewarding listen, but listeners will be left wanting a more complete experience. Dialogue does present in the center with positive clarity and prioritization.

The Princess and the Frog 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Princess and the Frog's UHD disc contains no supplemental content, but the bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which Disney released in 2010 and brings with it the entirety of this set's supplemental content. Below is a listing of what's included. Please click here for full review coverage. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Work in Progress
• Deleted Scenes
• Music & More
• Bringing Life to Animation
• Audio Commentary
• Magic in the Bayou: The Making of a Princess
• The Return to Hand Drawn Animation
• The Disney Legacy
• Disney's Newest Princess
• The Princess and the Animator
• Conjuring the Villain
• The Return to the Animated Musical
• Art Galleries
• What Do You See: Princess Portraits

The Princess and the Frog 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Princess and the Frog represents a welcome return to more traditionally animated Disney films. The picture does not stand with the studio's greats for memorable characters or story dynamics but it's a beautifully animated and soulfully constructed motion picture that is certainly deserving of sharing a place with its legendary peers. Disney's UHD release is of superb video quality. The HDR color application revitalizes the movie with screen commanding color. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is of typical Disney quality. No new extras are included but the Blu-ray brings with it a healthy assortment of legacy content. Highly recommended.