SO, caught the early showing this morning. And being the total suck I am, I got misty-eyed before anything even HAPPENED in the movie, just because I was seeing 2D Disney on the big screen again. I missed 2D animation so, SO much. ;_;
Speaking of which, the art style was gorgeous; actually, 'styles' would be closer to fact. The way they brought in the look of 1920's Advertising Illustrations in "Almost There" and the psychedelic, black light-ish colors of "Friends On The Other Side" and flowed out again was stunning (especially with "Almost There". I LOVED that).
I need to see the movie a few more times, but I'm pretty sure Tiana's going to my be one of my Top 3 'Princesses'. Both Belle and Mulan are there right now, and Tiana will fit in well with them. The fact that she's the first 'modern' princess, and a hard-working 'average girl' strikes a chord with me. She's got normal reactions to talking to/kissing/turning into a frog, drive, a sense of humour, and style.
Naveen…well, I had a feeling I'd love him right from the teaser trailer waaaay back, when he was the frog, and didn't even have a LINE (it was the =_= look he gave to the audience). He didn't disappoint. Full of energy, personality, and ego; more interesting than every other Disney Prince put together (except the Beast, but that's my BatB love coming out).
I love me some Keith David That is all...or not. Dr. Facilier was essentially everything I'd hoped he would be, and more. He was a slick-as-oil, manipulative snake in the grass from beginning to end. I wished we'd gotten to see more of him, but he would've stolen the show (he almost did with the air time he had). And now that read the spoiler reviews, to Malinex_Terek, re: the 'good' Doctor:
! The amulet was definitely an 'easy out', but I think it was for a reason. The amulet could be a subtle, but key foil to the whole theme of 'working hard for your dreams'.
! Mama Odie (voodoo lady) may have known Dr. Facilier in the past (perhaps he was a pupil learning her art), or knew of where his powers came from, but I doubt she held respect for him. Her aura of wisdom and good nature (like true voodoo is meant to be) leads me to suspect that she worked and honed her gifts the hard way, much like Tiana.
! Meanwhile, Dr. Facilier wanted the shortcut to power, and got his ticket with the amulet given to him by his 'friends'. But after all, nothing comes for free in life, so he paid for his power in full in the end. (And as a side note, if the amulet alone was worth his soul, WHY THE HELL give it to someone else, for ANY reason? If it was me, that thing would never leave my person, never be seen by another living being EVER. There had to be some other way to give Lawrence Naveen's form, in his bag of tricks. He was asking for it, IMO.)
! I knew things would end very very badly for the guy, as I actually have read up on Voodoo once or twice, and there's one thing that's constant; true New Orleans voodoo is about giving positive energy to people, in all forms (health, love, prosperity), and is based deeply in the idea of karma. When someone uses it to harm another (as I'm sure Dr. Facilier had to many people), it's all guaranteed to come back to the one who inflicts it, three times over. The voodoo doll for killing Big Daddy kinda sealed the deal for me. A big no-no, that.
Erm, heh. This is getting long. So I'll wrap up by saying I LOVE THIS MOVIE, and that Ray was one hell of a pleasant surprise in it. As far as I can recall, he's
! the only protagonist that's actually died in the final battle against the antagonist, without a miraculous recovery/Deux Ex Machina. I don't count Mufasa, as his death was a catalyst to the whole Lion King story, not a side note.
! Not to mention, I actually really liked the lil' bug. D': He was just a genuinely good pers – er, insect.
@Hartzell:
I finally got to see this movie, and to tell the truth it was incredible. It did feel kind of awkward going to see it though, considering it was aimed at adolescent girls.
Same here, but once the movie started I just couldn't be bothered to give a damn. XD
@Cream-of-Chicken:
…I would be a flapper if I could.
Agreed. Even if I look terrible in hats, I'd still do it, because I'd be so defiant. xP;;
Reminds me of a freshly made Funnel cake except in the form a soft round dumpling shape.
 
