7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.7 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.7 |
A modern twist on a classic tale, set in the great city of New Orleans, where a beautiful girl named Tiana meets a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again. A fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jennifer CodyFamily | 100% |
Animation | 85% |
Fantasy | 56% |
Musical | 39% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy (on disc)
DVD copy
Bonus View (PiP)
BD-Live
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
December 21, 1937. After enduring years of skepticism and overcoming countless obstacles, both creative and financial, a brave young visionary by the name of Walter Elias Disney gave the world its first animated feature film. Perhaps you've heard of it: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It swept audiences away to a Technicolor dreamscape; an absorbing fairy tale wonderland unlike anything anyone, young or old, had ever seen on the silver screen. It not only emerged as an overnight success, it afforded Disney the rare opportunity to do it all over again, first with Fantasia and Pinocchio, then with Dumbo and Bambi; classics that would go on to launch a now-indelible genre and stand the test of time. But the house that Uncle Walt built would eventually face hardship. Competing studios and hurried releases diluted the waters. Home video and Saturday morning cartoons weakened animation's theatrical swagger. And an explosion of CG-born hits cast doubt on the viability of hand-drawn films. By the end of 2004, a trio of misfires -- Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, and Home on the Range -- seemed to signal the death knell of a long-standing institution. Thank the maker for risk-takers and purists like Pixar's John Lasseter and filmmaking duo John Musker and Ron Clements. Mounting a highly anticipated return to hand-drawn form, they delivered The Princess and the Frog, an arresting showcase piece in the tradition of Disney's finest that deserves its place in the studio's animation canon.
Disney returns to its roots and delivers a gorgeous hand-drawn spectacle...
Disney's beautiful hand-drawn homecoming arrives on Blu-ray with a rich, absolutely stunning 1080p/AVC-encoded marvel that perfectly captures every nuance of the animation team's spirited lineart, every splash of wondrous color that erupts on screen, and every errant brush stroke that lends the film's painterly backdrops such heart and soul. Earthy greens and browns, savory blues and golds, and bottomless blacks are just the beginning; The Princess and the Frog's sweltering bayou palette is a sight to behold. Contrast is impeccable throughout (even when night and shadow surge), and color fills remain strong and stable regardless of how complex or elaborate a sequence becomes. Detail is flawless as well. Witness the spontaneity of the animators' lively lines, the tiny creases and wrinkles that grace Mama Odie's expressive face, the tiniest firefly rushing to light Tiana and Naveen's path. Moreover, I didn't spot any artifacting, aliasing, or edge enhancement, and I didn't catch any instances of banding (every animation enthusiast's sworn nemesis). I hesitate to use the word "never" -- I'm sure a frame-by-frame analysis would reveal some split-second mishap -- but I doubt anyone will find anything worth complaining about when the film is in motion. All in all, The Princess and the Frog offers yet another amazing animated presentation from a studio that values its animation above all else. Regardless of how you respond to the film itself, prepare to be blown away by its striking high definition video transfer.
The Princess and the Frog makes a grand Mardis Gras-inspired entrance with a rousing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. The songs may not be as memorable as Disney's finest, but they certainly grab hold of your ear, reveling in the tom-tom-tom of leathery bass beats, the riz-dat-dat of rustling snare drums, and the crooning cries of an army of trumpets. Randy Newman's music comes alive time and time again, arriving from every direction and elevating the film well beyond the confines of the most devoted filmfan's home theater. Dialogue and sound effects follow suit, blessed with smart prioritization, crisp voices and tones, and excellent fidelity. Lines never drown in the swamps or languish in the humid New Orleans air; vocal performances are clean and clear; consistent LFE support infuses the entire experience with hearty booms and thooms; and rear speaker activity is aggressive, inviting, and altogether immersive. Just listen as Ray buzzes from channel to channel. Pay attention to Mama Odie's honey-dripped magic as it swirls about the soundfield. Bask in the chatty Louisiana streets, the prim and proper high society crowds, and the fertile grounds of the bayou. Directionality is precise and pans are silky smooth; dynamics are expansive and the soundscape is swimming with subtle movement and acoustic prowess. Make no mistake, The Princess and the Frog is an assault on the senses audiophiles of all ages will welcome with open arms.
The Blu-ray edition of The Princess and the Frog continues to impress with a notable supplemental package; one that includes a Picture-in-Picture experience, a captivating commentary, and a solid collection of featurettes. As an added bonus, the 3-disc set comes with both a standard DVD and Digital Copy of the film. High definition junkies may shake their heads, but most families, especially those with DVD players in their cars and children's playrooms, will enjoy the flexibility this multi-format release provides.
The Princess and the Frog may not be the insta-classic its most ardent fans and many critics have declared it to be, but it does represent a triumphant return to form for a studio built on the magic and artistry of hand drawn animation. Thankfully, Disney's Blu-ray release is a magnificent one. Its dazzling video transfer is as perfect as they come, its powerful DTS-HD Master Audio track is a sonic miracle in its own right, and its extensive supplemental package adds substantial value to the high definition proceedings. Few films warrant a blind buy, but anyone with children would be wise to skip a rental and drop this excellent release directly into their shopping carts.
2009
2009
2009
The Royal Wedding Collection
2009
2009
2009
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2009
2009
Diamond Edition
1950
1937
Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1959
25th Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1991
Anniversary Edition | The Signature Collection
1953
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2010
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1989
Peter Pan 2 | Special Edition
2002
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2019
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2016
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2013
1999
The Signature Collection
1940
Rental Copy
1940
2002
2008
50th Anniversary Edition | DVD Packaging
1963
2009
The Signature Collection | Ultimate Collector's Edition
1992
2016