BLU-RAY REVIEW: The Princess and the Frog 3-Disc Combo Pack

The return to 2-D Disney animation comes home...

---

For a great selection of film, comic and TV action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, PastGenerationToys.com, MonkeyDepot.com, and Sekaido.com.

For a great selection of film, TV and pop culture t-shirts and apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.

---

It’s hard to believe that it has been over five years since the last theatrical animated film from Disney, Home on the Range, made it’s modest run in theaters. With the film’s less than stellar success, a growing interest by consumers in computer animation, and the closing of the Florida animation studio, it seemed like a chapter in the legacy of Disney animation had come to a close. But once John Lasseter took over the reins as director of Walt Disney Animation Studios, he made it clear that he wouldn’t let people forget where Disney started and thus, Disney returns to the magical, musical 2-D animated films that have been loved by generations of fans with the all-new feature The Princess and the Frog.

Directed by Ron Clements and John Muskar, the duo that brought us The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog puts a new spin on the classic story of the Frog Prince. In this version we meet Tiana, a young African-American girl who grew up in Louisiana with her loving parents and who holds on to her father’s dream of opening a restaurant. As she works hard and saves her money, she if given the chance to meet her goal when her wealthy friend Charlotte pays her to cater a party to impress a visiting prince named Naveen. Through a series of circumstances, Naveen is turned into a frog and happens upon Tiana who he convinces to kiss him. Unfortunately, the results backfire and Tiana is transformed into a frog as well. Now the two must journey into the bayou to find a way to change back before a diabolical plan comes to fruition.

The Princess and the Frog 3-Disc Combo Pack brings the magic and excitement home with an exceptional BLU-Ray presentation of the film with glorious 1080p High Definition picture and a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track to support Randy Newman’s jazzy, colorful soundtrack. The special set not only includes a fantastic amount of special features, but also a DVD version of the film plus a Digital Copy for viewing on the go.

The special features are all presented in 1080p as well and include a variety of featurettes and bonuses sure to entertain Disney fans. Aside from the regular version of the film with an optional Audio Commentary, a second version allows you to watch the Work in Progress storyboards alongside the finished movie. Featurettes, which focus not only on the making of the film, but also on the historical significance and legacy of Disney animation include: Bringing Life To Animation, 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, and A Return to the Animated Musical. Other features include Art Galleries, Sneak Peeks, Deleted Scenes, a Ne-Yo Music Video, and a What Do You See: Princess Portraits game.

This Academy Award nominated film is a treat for the family filled with beautiful animation, fantastic characters, and a colorful soundtrack that is sure to get you jumping! The Princess and the Frog 3-Disc Combo Pack is available now from Disney Home Entertainment.

- Michael Klein

---