The Princess and the Frog Discussion - Part III

[2099net]

I know I'm going to be jumped on - but I see RottenTomatoes classes a 3/5 review a fresh...

MetaCritic has a somewhat different view in that it takes the average score as the result - however it does seem to take less feeds:

At the moment Princess and the Frog has a score of 65 from 10 reviews
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/p ... the%20frog

Based on other popular films on Metacritic, it seems like around 30 sources will be the maximum it will ever get.

But under Metacritic's system, Treasure Planet got 60!
http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/ ... e%20planet

[Ariellen]

while waiting for our new princess...here's RT list of disney's best animated features

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/guides/be ... ed_movies/

That was a fun read; I always think it's interesting to see what systems/opinions factor into any sort of list like this.

I did laugh a lot at the huge number of films with comments along the lines of, "... even though the plot was sort of predictable." Particularly when these comments were given to the fairy tale films. I'd think that a story that has been around for centuries and told and retold time and again might indeed seem familiar!

[Margos]

Well.... yeah, it is nice to see the critics agree... But, for example, "Brother Bear" and "Treasure Planet" are both among my favorites, no matter what the box office or anyone else says. Basically, I'm looking forward to TPatF, I have high hopes, and I seriously doubt they'll be disappointed.

But, it's like Alan Menken said: "BatB came out, and everyone said, it's good, but it's not as good as Mermaid. Then Aladdin came out, and everyone said, it's good, but it's not as good as BatB. Something brand-new has a hard time competing with something that's become part of the public's subconscious."
And now it's "TPatF is good, but it's not as good as the Renaissance films." And next year, we'll hear "Rapunzel is good, but it's not as good as TPatF!"

[Babaloo]

But, it's like Alan Menken said: "BatB came out, and everyone said, it's good, but it's not as good as Mermaid. Then Aladdin came out, and everyone said, it's good, but it's not as good as BatB. Something brand-new has a hard time competing with something that's become part of the public's subconscious."

I'm so happy I heard this!! I had no idea that people thought that about Beauty and the Beast, and now it's considered one of Disney's best (and usually always ranked higher than Mermaid. I'm not saying that I'm hoping PatF will be as highly liked as BatB, but it would be nice that someday people will like this movie even more, since a lot of the reviews say really really good things about the movie.

[2099net]

Expect huge box office opening for 'The Princess and the Frog,' thanks to high ticket prices

As much as I'd hate to see another TLK record (gross vs. theatres) smashed into oblivion, PatF will destory TLK's $1,586,753 opening.

Beating the Lion King's limited 2 theatre opening with a limited 2 theatre opening with premium ticket prices (up to $50!) plus inflation isn't really something to boast about should it happen.

Given The Lion King still (unadjusted for inflation) is number 3 on the list of animated movies, I can't see Princess and the Frog beating it in the long run. And even if it does, what about it The Lion King's box office was adjusted for inflation?

http://boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=animation.htm

[Babaloo]

I was wondering did these movies do well on actual worldwide openings? Like did Lion King and all these "Disney Renaissance" do well on opening days for the public, or did they only do well after a while? I've never been to the actual first day for a disney movie, so I wanted to know what to expect when I go on Dec 11 (how busy it is)...

[Margos]

Depends where you go. I'm sure that in bigger cities and towns it would be packed. But, where I live, it's almost comletely empty. Went to opening day for "Bolt" and there were only two other people there. For "Up" there was maybe ten.

[Babaloo]

K thanks!, I'll probably be there early either way since I can't sit still waiting for this movie!

And what is this??!! This is from Stephen Whitty/The Star-Ledger:
""The Princess and the Frog" will be, too — and there are things here to annoy all sorts of people. The white characters are all, at best, buffoons; rural whites are portrayed as vicious and deformed; and even in the depths of the bayou, every African-American character has "good" hair.
Other, more general Hollywood clichés are observed, too. It is a given these days that any love triangle that features white and black characters has to have them fighting over a Latino; apparently that’s true even in cartoon soundtracks, since Prince Naveen — whose origins are a little vague — is voiced by the Brazilian actor Bruno Campos."

Are people that obsessed with race?!?!? This is a movie meant for children and all those who care for the art of animation and Disney! It's not meant to poke at anyone's race!

[Margos]

Anyway! People are getting way too caught up in what colors the characters are, when what personalities the characters have is so much more important! Kinda sounds a little like real life, though, sometimes, doesn't it?

[Marky_198]

And what is this??!! This is from Stephen Whitty/The Star-Ledger:
""The Princess and the Frog" will be, too — and there are things here to annoy all sorts of people. The white characters are all, at best, buffoons; rural whites are portrayed as vicious and deformed; and even in the depths of the bayou, every African-American character has "good" hair.

Are people that obsessed with race?!?!? This is a movie meant for children and all those who care for the art of animation and Disney! It's not meant to poke at anyone's race!

I don't care about race at all, and the fact that some people would actually complain if the "african -american characters in the depths of the bayou" would not have perfect hair, is SICK to me.

Why is it suddenly racist if a black character isn't perfect?
Why would everyone on the internet call Disney racist if the characters had messed up hair? Like many black people have?

Disney films are full of ugly white characters, so ugly black characters in the next film too please. Everyone is the same.

[katemonster]

It already has an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and that is just from its limited release in NYC and LA! Wow, I knew it would be something good, but this is terrific. I am counting down the days until it is released nationwide. Talk about a Disney classic on our hands! http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1196003 ... _the_frog/

[Disney's Divinity]

I think you might've read that wrong, Marky. The review was saying the black characters never look bad, not that it's racist that they do.

I do think there's a touch of racism to this movie, in that the whites have to be bad to show that the blacks can be good. Of course, I can't have a final say on that, since I haven't seen it yet, but the white characters look spoiled and condescending (with no redeeming white characters that I've seen). "Not being racist is the new racist." I think that came from somewhere on this board, actually.

[Marky_198]

I think you might've read that wrong, Marky. The review was saying the black characters never look bad, not that it's racist that they do.
.

What I mean is that the film and characters and even the concept art received so much critisism, about being "stereotype" etc.

So many people complained she had a big butt, she looked like a monkey, she could not be a chambermaid because it would be racist, she could not be this, and that,etc,etc,etc....................

So if the would have given some characters a look that is not perfect or anything, people will say it's racist.
Cinderella can be a chambermaid, but a black girl can't.
White characters are allowed to be ugly (in every classic), but black characters are not.


So yes, in my opinion too, completely missing the point.

[ajmrowland]

I'm certain it's been said here before, but our society has developed into pure cowardice. We're afraid of the slightest imperfections, and that shows in many "Kids" movies and tv shows, Newscasts, school courses, sitcoms, websites, reality shows, awards shows, any shows, and religion.

So here is my letter to people.


Dear Perfectionist American Society,

Enough is Enough!

Signed
Andrew

[tsom]

The Tyra Show just did a whole segment about The Princess and the Frog. It was GREAT!

[Margos]

The Tyra Show just did a whole segment about The Princess and the Frog. It was GREAT!

Oh really!? What all did they show? Anything new?

[IagoZazu]

Well.... yeah, it is nice to see the critics agree... But, for example, "Brother Bear" and "Treasure Planet" are both among my favorites, no matter what the box office or anyone else says. Basically, I'm looking forward to TPatF, I have high hopes, and I seriously doubt they'll be disappointed.

But, it's like Alan Menken said: "BatB came out, and everyone said, it's good, but it's not as good as Mermaid. Then Aladdin came out, and everyone said, it's good, but it's not as good as BatB. Something brand-new has a hard time competing with something that's become part of the public's subconscious."
And now it's "TPatF is good, but it's not as good as the Renaissance films." And next year, we'll hear "Rapunzel is good, but it's not as good as TPatF!"

And The Lion King was good, but not as good as Aladdin. I don't like it when people nitpick like that.

Anyway, as Walt Disney once wisely said, "We're not trying to entertain the critics... I'll take my chances with the public." If the people pay big to see it, then that speaks volumes. I want to form my own opinion and not someone else's. I like The Black Cauldron after all, and that's always considered Disney's worst DAC. I think that it's all a matter of your taste.

[Margos]

Exactly! If the critics liked it, great. If they didn't, too bad. No one's going to agree on every movie. Or really any movie at all. For example, no matter how generally revered BatB is, it gets bashed up one side and down the other on this forum on a daily basis! (well, not too recently, but it had been). Just goes to show, one man's masterpiece is another man's garbage.

[CherryLipTherapy]

I just returned home from seeing the movie. I can say I really love it. The music was wonderful. I really like "Dig A Little Deeper," "Almost There," and "Down in New Orleans." Ironically, the song I liked the most before seeing the movie is the song I like the least. "Friends on the other side" is good, but I like the others better. Dr. Facilier himself was good, but he lacked a certain something...can't put my finger on it just yet. The other characters I absolutely love. Ray is my favorite. Tiana and Naveen are charming. Louis is funny and I love Mama Odie, she was so funny. There is a part in the movie that made me very emotional. I was crying, but quickly stopped because there were so many people there. I think I was the only one with out children LOL. Neyo's song sounds wonderful, it was perfect song to end the movie. The little girls were there dressed in their Tiana outfits it was really nice. If any one has any questions I'll be more than happy to answer. Also...the movie has a lot of familiar elements, but there so much that's not familiar. I'll be seeing this again when it's released nationwide. I can't wait for the DVD/Blu ray.

[Margos]

CherryLipTherapy.... I don't mind spoilers, tell me....

(highlight)
The part that made you cry... does it have something to do with Ray? Does he make it through the entire film, or.....?