By George Roush,

Today during the Bob Iger presentation fans and media were treated to the first 30 minutes of the Princess and the Frog. The animation was 87% complete, but it was hardly noticeable.

The story opens with a young Tiana and her friend Charlotte sitting in a room while Tiana’s Mom, who is a seamstress for Charlotte’s father, reads them the story of The Frog Prince. This is where we’re first introduced to the character of Tiana. There are some really funny moments with Charlotte’s cat.

Next, Tiana and her mother take the trolley past the rich neighborhoods of New Orleans to the poor neighborhood where Tiana lives. She makes gumbo with her father and shares the meal and laughs with her neighbors. Later that night, her father tells her about the restaurant he plans on opening called Tiana’s Place. Her parents tell her that it’s ok to wish upon a star, but she also has to work hard to accomplish her dreams. She wishes upon a star, and a frog is on her window sill. She looks at the frog (thinking they’re creepy from the story she heard earlier in the day) and when the frog ribbit’s, she screams and runs out of the room.

Tiana re-enters her room, but it’s years later and she’s an adult working at Duke’s Cafe. She’s working double shifts to save up enough money to purchase a building so she can finish her now deceased father’s dream of opening the restaurant. We’re also introduced to Dr. Facilier, the Voodoo priest who is seen scaming people for money. In one scene, he gives a patron a full head of hair, only the man’s hair grows until it covers almost his entire body.

Tiana’s friend Charlotte comes into the restaurant, excited about the arrival of Prince Naveen. Since she’s royalty, she’s seeing wedding bells.

After putting a bid down on a building, Tiana sings a song called ‘Almost There’ (I think that’s what it’s called). The animation changed to an art deco style during this song sequence and it looked really cool.

We then see Prince Naveen arrive and he dances in the streets when he runs into Dr. Facilier, who convinces him to come into his parlor and have his fortune told. Once he tells the prince and his sidekick their fortunes, all he requires is a handshake to change their lives. Once they shake hands, Dr. Facilier breaks into song and the Prince is seen tied to a chair by snakes while the Dr. spins his voodoo magic all around him. Really cool song and a great scene.

We then see Tiana at a party for Charlotte who is all dolled up waiting for Prince Naveen to arrive. The Prince shows up and they dance. Tiana learns from the men who are selling the property, that she has been outbid and unless she can beat the bid by Wednesday, she’ll lose her chance at owning the property needed for the restaurant. Upset, she spills food all over her clothes. Charlotte takes her upstairs to change.

The next scene is of Tiana on the balcony, looking up at that same star she wished upon as a child. When she makes her wish, another frog appear. When she asks if the frog wants a kiss, the frog replies, “A kiss would be nice.” Tiana screams and learns that this frog is actually Prince Naveen. After being convinced by Naveen that he is wealthy and can help her out with whatever she needs, she thinks about the restaurant and reluctantly agrees to kiss the frog, believing it will turn him back into a prince like the story she heard as a child.

Unfortunately for her, she ends up turning into a frog as well and the footage ends.

This new hand drawn animated film from Disney looks fantastic. It was really funny, the songs were good and it was a great throwback to animated movies like Alladin and The Little Mermaid. I can’t wait to see the entire thing.

By George ‘El Guapo’ Roush on September 10, 2009

Today during the Bob Iger presentation fans and media were treated to the first 30 minutes of the Princess and the Frog. The animation was 87% complete, but it was hardly noticeable. The story opens with a young Tiana and her friend Charlotte sitting in a room while Tiana’s Mom, who is a seamstress for Charlotte’s father, reads them the story of The Frog Prince. This is where we’re first introduced to the character of Tiana. There are some really funny moments with Charlotte’s cat. Next, Tiana and her mother take the trolley past the rich neighborhoods of New Orleans to the poor neighborhood where Tiana lives. She makes gumbo with her father and shares the meal and laughs with her neighbors. Later that night, her father tells her about the restaurant he plans on opening called Tiana’s Place. Her parents tell her that it’s ok to wish upon a star, but she also has to work hard to accomplish her dreams. She wishes upon a star, and a frog is on her window sill. She looks at the frog (thinking they’re creepy from the story she heard earlier in the day) and when the frog ribbit’s, she screams and runs out of the room. Tiana re-enters her room, but it’s years later and she’s an adult working at Duke’s Cafe. She’s working double shifts to save up enough money to purchase a building so she can finish her now deceased father’s dream of opening the restaurant. We’re also introduced to Dr. Facilier, the Voodoo priest who is seen scaming people for money. In one scene, he gives a patron a full head of hair, only the man’s hair grows until it covers almost his entire body. Tiana’s friend Charlotte comes into the restaurant, excited about the arrival of Prince Naveen. Since she’s royalty, she’s seeing wedding bells. After putting a bid down on a building, Tiana sings a song called ‘Almost There’ (I think that’s what it’s called). The animation changed to an art deco style during this song sequence and it looked really cool. We then see Prince Naveen arrive and he dances in the streets when he runs into Dr. Facilier, who convinces him to come into his parlor and have his fortune told. Once he tells the prince and his sidekick their fortunes, all he requires is a handshake to change their lives. Once they shake hands, Dr. Facilier breaks into song and the Prince is seen tied to a chair by snakes while the Dr. spins his voodoo magic all around him. Really cool song and a great scene. If you missed that sequence, you can watch it HERE. We then see Tiana at a party for Charlotte who is all dolled up waiting for Prince Naveen to arrive. The Prince shows up and they dance. Tiana learns from the men who are selling the property, that she has been outbid and unless she can beat the bid by Wednesday, she’ll lose her chance at owning the property needed for the restaurant. Upset, she spills food all over her clothes. Charlotte takes her upstairs to change. The next scene is of Tiana on the balcony, looking up at that same star she wished upon as a child. When she makes her wish, another frog appear. When she asks if the frog wants a kiss, the frog replies, “A kiss would be nice.” Tiana screams and learns that this frog is actually Prince Naveen. After being convinced by Naveen that he is wealthy and can help her out with whatever she needs, she thinks about the restaurant and reluctantly agrees to kiss the frog, believing it will turn him back into a prince like the story she heard as a child. Unfortunately for her, she ends up turning into a frog as well and the footage ends. This new hand drawn animated film from Disney looks fantastic. It was really funny, the songs were good and it was a great throwback to animated movies like Alladin and The Little Mermaid. I can’t wait to see the entire thing.