The Princess and the Frog is something to dream about

With all of the negative and stereotypical entertainment available today, it's so refreshing to see something positive and uplifting on the screen. The Princess and the Frog may well be one of the best Disney films, in my opinion in many years. This film presents a lush landscape of colors and culture that draws in the audience into what I feel is a masterpiece of animation.

I'm glad that Disney has come back to its senses, and reopened its traditional (2D) animation division. As an animator, I feel that all forms of animation(traditional, 3D, stop motion, and others) need to be available as viable means of creativity for all artists and filmmakers. What this film does, is return to the grand themes and enchanting stories, which Disney has been historically known for.

The story begins in the childhood of Tiana, who with her best friend Charlotte, listen intently to the story of the Frog Prince, told by Tiana's mother Eudora. The story continues from there, as we see the happy family of Tiana, Eudora, and Tiana's hard working father James, share a meal with their entire community.

The story moves forward to Tiana's adulthood, where she is a hard working woman, striving to fulfill, her father's and her own dream of starting a restaurant. Without going too far into the plot, the film continues with the trials and tribulations of Tiana, a wayward prince, and a bevy of intriguing animals.

What makes me so happy about this film, is how loving, hardworking, diligent, and intelligent African Americans are portrayed in this film. Such examples as showing an African American man in James, who works two jobs, loves his African American wife, loves his daughter, and loves community. Another example is the adult Tiana, who like her father, works two jobs, saves her money, and has respect for herself. Now these examples may not mean a lot to some people, but compared to the thug/gangstas and low class hoochies that seem to be everywhere in mainstream music videos and films, these examples are milestones.

One final example that I find just as important, is the respect and attention to detail, of the African American culture that is presented in the film. From the roots of jazz, the exposition of voodou, to even showing bottles hanging from a tree. The film introduces a small bit of the richness that is African American culture.

For those who wish to avoid or boycott this film because of discrimination or racial slight, I saw very little to complain about. Some people reference that the Prince(Naveen) is not African American as an example. Naveen is portrayed as a person of color, with a Spanish accent and curly hair. There is no reference to his ethnic origin, and from my perspective, becomes a non-issue when weighed against the film as a whole. Another touchy subject has been about the use of voodou in this film. Voodou is a practice which originated from west and central Africa, which was brought to America, the Caribbean, and South America by the slave trade. Voodou is as much a part of the fabric and history of Louisiana as jazz, gumbo, and the bayou.

This film needs to be seen by all African American Kids, as well as all African American adults. Not just because Disney has finally created an African American princess, but because this film uplifts and becomes a role model for African Americans, that most mainstream entertainment should not and can't be. Along with African Americans, this film can be a great inspiration for all people to see.