It is inspired in part by the novel The Frog Princess by E. The directors also co-wrote the story with the writing team of Greg Erb and Jason Oremland. Set in New Orleans during the s, the film tells the story of a hardworking waitress named Tiana who dreams of opening her own restaurant. After kissing prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog by the evil voodoo witch doctor Facilier, Tiana becomes a frog as well and the two must find a way to turn human again before it is too late.
It marked Disney's brief return to traditional animation , as it was the mainstream animation studio's first traditionally animated film since Home on the Range The studio returned to a Broadway musical -style format frequently used during the Disney Renaissance , and the film features a score and songs composed and conducted by Randy Newman , well known for his musical involvement in Pixar films such as the Toy Story franchise.
The Princess and the Frog premiered at the Roy E. The film received largely positive reviews from critics, who praised the animation particularly the revival of the hand-drawn form , characters, music, voice acting particularly David's , and themes; however, it was criticized for its depiction of Louisiana Voodoo and alleged historical negationism of its depiction of the Southern United States during the Jim Crow era. In New Orleans during the Roaring Twenties , a young woman named Tiana dreams of opening a restaurant.
She works two waitress jobs to earn money, leaving no time for a social life. Naveen, the arrogant prince of Maldonia, arrives in New Orleans. His parents have cut him off from the family fortune, so he intends to marry Charlotte La Bouff, Tiana's wealthy best friend.
Charlotte's father hosts a masquerade ball in Naveen's honor. Charlotte pays Tiana to make beignets for the party, enough to buy an old mill to convert into her restaurant. Naveen and his valet , Lawrence, encounter Dr. Facilier, an evil voodoo witch doctor who plans to rule New Orleans. Facilier transforms Naveen into a frog and Lawrence into a doppelganger of Naveen, using a voodoo talisman containing Naveen's blood.
