My take: The Princess and the Frog (2009)

HD Goofnut · 03-21-2010, 03:03 PM

Title: The Princess and the Frog (2009)
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc/Three Disc Set
Video: 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC
Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (originally 1.85:1)
Subtitles: English, French, and Spanish
Run time: 97 minutes
Studio: Walt Disnry Studios Home Entertainment
Rating: G
Region Coding: Region A Only
Equipment used for review: Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120Hz 1080p LCD (24fps), Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Receiver, Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1, & LG BH200 Super Blu

Cast/Crew Info:
Anika Noni Rose as the voice of Tiana
Bruno Campos as the voice of Prince Naveen
Keith David as the voice of Dr. Facilier
Michael-Leon Wooley as the voice of Louis
Jennifer Cody as the voice of Charlotte
Jim Cummings as the voice of Ray
Peter Bartlett as the voice of Lawrence
Jenifer Lewis as the voice Mama Odie
Oprah Winfrey as the voice of Eudora
Terrence Howard as the voice of James
John Goodman as the voice of 'Big Daddy' La Bouff
Directed by Ron Clements & John Musker

My take: (the breakdown)

I have a nostalgic heart for hand drawn Disney animated musicals and thankfully The Princess and the Frog does not disappoint. At a young age Tiana, the daughter of hard working parents, has this dream of opening up her own restaurant. By the time she reaches her later teen years she has saved up enough money to buy a run down warehouse in the hopes that she can turn it into a five star restaurant. However, when she meets a frog named Prince Naveen, who claims he is really a human, things began to go awfully wrong for Tiana when she is turned into a frog upon kissing him. Together the two must find a way to get themselves turned back to normal before the end of Mardi Gras or they are stuck as frogs. Also, Tiana is forced to pay a higher price on the property she is after by the end of the same day. It's a race against time for Tiana and Naveen, but with the help of some trustworthy friends that might just have a chance. This is a must own just for the wonderful musical sequences and the fantastic animation.

For a hand drawn animation you would expect to find at least a few problems, but that is certainly not the case here. Everything with this Blu-ray transfer is absolutely perfect. Colors are properly saturated, flesh tones accurate, grain is nonexistent, and fine detail couldn't be better. You can add this title to the prestige of the Pixar titles on Blu-ray in my opinion.

I was literally blown away by this booming 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio track. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout the film's entire run time. Most of the film consists of various musical numbers and they are all vibrant, clear, and swell to the surround channels. Your sub will get a serious workout and the LFE couldn't sound better. This is definitely one of the best lossless tracks I have ever heard on Blu-ray.

This Blu-ray disc is loaded with extras and about half are exclusive. There is an awesome PiP track and everything is presented in 1080.

Movie: 8/10
VQ: 10/10
AQ: 10/10
Supplements: 8/10
Final word: A Must Own

The screen captures below have a resolution of 1024 x 576 to keep the page from being distorted and to help with load times. As always thanks for reading folks.

Chris Gerhard · 03-21-2010, 04:50 PM

I picked this one up on the day of release if I recall but haven't watched it yet and didn't see it in the theater. I love Disney animation and expect this to be excellent just as you have described it. I hope this was a big success and Disney will continue to make high quality animation like this, even though I know it is expensive. Only Sony offers quality comparable to Disney when it comes to Blu-ray, what a great job both companies have done, I am just in awe with each new viewing. The more of these I see, the less I care about any of the convenient streaming or on demand ways to watch HDTV, I will just continue to pay a little more or go to a little more trouble to see and hear something much better. For my money, Blu-ray sure beats the theater as well.

Another fine review Goofnut

Chris

HD Goofnut · 03-21-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

I picked this one up on the day of release if I recall but haven't watched it yet and didn't see it in the theater. I love Disney animation and expect this to be excellent just as you have described it. I hope this was a big success and Disney will continue to make high quality animation like this, even though I know it is expensive. Only Sony offers quality comparable to Disney when it comes to Blu-ray, what a great job both companies have done, I am just in awe with each new viewing. The more of these I see, the less I care about any of the convenient streaming or on demand ways to watch HDTV, I will just continue to pay a little more or go to a little more trouble to see and hear something much better. For my money, Blu-ray sure beats the theater as well.

Another fine review Goofnut

Chris

I totally agree with your assessment.

Thanks Chris.

SwiftSketcher · 03-22-2010, 01:16 AM

Hey, I joined this forum just so I could ask you this question about the Frog Blu Ray. I just wanted to know if it's possible to watch the rough animation from the Picture in Picture in fullscreen mode, instead of just in the corner? No review I've seen has answered this question, and I would love to purchase this Blu-Ray if it's possible to cycle through the picture and picture rough and finished versions on the full screen. Thanks if you can answer

HD Goofnut · 03-22-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftSketcher

Hey, I joined this forum just so I could ask you this question about the Frog Blu Ray. I just wanted to know if it's possible to watch the rough animation from the Picture in Picture in fullscreen mode, instead of just in the corner? No review I've seen has answered this question, and I would love to purchase this Blu-Ray if it's possible to cycle through the picture and picture rough and finished versions on the full screen. Thanks if you can answer

Yes, there is a way to do it, but you'll need a PC with a BD drive that can be used through Windows to do it. Download and open PowerDVD 9. When you put the BD of Princess and the Frog into the drive stop it before it auto loads. Then go to my computer and open the contents of the disc. Then go to BDMV-->STREAM and just drag whichever file the PiP feature is to the open PowerDVD 9 window. Typically, the larger 1-20 million KB files are either the movie itself or the maknig of features. You won't be able to rewind or scene skip, but it will play the isolated file.

SwiftSketcher · 03-22-2010, 09:37 AM

Thanks a lot for the answer! So I suppose Blu Ray Players like a PS3 and such won't be able to do this then?

HD Goofnut · 03-22-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftSketcher

Thanks a lot for the answer! So I suppose Blu Ray Players like a PS3 and such won't be able to do this then?

Not to my knowledge.

dsskid · 03-22-2010, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the excellent review.

HD Goofnut · 03-22-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsskid

Thanks for the excellent review.

Thanks ds.

gossamer · 03-22-2010, 05:48 PM

I thought this was just OK. I did enjoy the extras though. Especially the going back to hand drawn animation ones. And the yeah the pic and sound were spectacular!

dsskid · 03-23-2010, 10:23 AM

I've been picking up a few children BDs lately to have on hand for when my nieces and nephews come over. I'm sure they'll enjoy this one also.

Ok, I admit it, I enjoy watching them on occasion as well.

HD Goofnut · 03-23-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsskid

I've been picking up a few children BDs lately to have on hand for when my nieces and nephews come over. I'm sure they'll enjoy this one also.

Ok, I admit it, I enjoy watching them on occasion as well.

I was skeptical about this title at first, but the musical numbers are so well done that they draw you in rather easily.

NOLA56 · 03-29-2010, 06:29 AM

As someone who resides in New Orleans, I thought the movie also kept a lot of our true themes of our great city. Bravo for that and a return to hand-drawn animation.
A very good flick for adults and children!!

okdude123 · 04-06-2010, 09:56 PM

I saw this on the demo TV's in the mall today and it sure looked like a good movie that I could watch. I feel many of the hand drawn animations have a certain soul quality about them that really draws me in.

maclhen · 04-07-2010, 04:39 PM

That was a great post..Thanks for the info...I'm very much enjoyable watching cartoons movie especially "THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG"..Its educational movie..you can get moral lessons in this movie..My child do really like that movie..

03-21-2010, 03:03 PM	#1
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Posts: 8,145	My take: The Princess and the Frog (2009) Title: The Princess and the Frog (2009) BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc/Three Disc Set Video: 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (originally 1.85:1) Subtitles: English, French, and Spanish Run time: 97 minutes Studio: Walt Disnry Studios Home Entertainment Rating: G Region Coding: Region A Only Equipment used for review: Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120Hz 1080p LCD (24fps), Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Receiver, Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1, & LG BH200 Super Blu Cast/Crew Info: Anika Noni Rose as the voice of Tiana Bruno Campos as the voice of Prince Naveen Keith David as the voice of Dr. Facilier Michael-Leon Wooley as the voice of Louis Jennifer Cody as the voice of Charlotte Jim Cummings as the voice of Ray Peter Bartlett as the voice of Lawrence Jenifer Lewis as the voice Mama Odie Oprah Winfrey as the voice of Eudora Terrence Howard as the voice of James John Goodman as the voice of 'Big Daddy' La Bouff Directed by Ron Clements & John Musker My take: (the breakdown) I have a nostalgic heart for hand drawn Disney animated musicals and thankfully The Princess and the Frog does not disappoint. At a young age Tiana, the daughter of hard working parents, has this dream of opening up her own restaurant. By the time she reaches her later teen years she has saved up enough money to buy a run down warehouse in the hopes that she can turn it into a five star restaurant. However, when she meets a frog named Prince Naveen, who claims he is really a human, things began to go awfully wrong for Tiana when she is turned into a frog upon kissing him. Together the two must find a way to get themselves turned back to normal before the end of Mardi Gras or they are stuck as frogs. Also, Tiana is forced to pay a higher price on the property she is after by the end of the same day. It's a race against time for Tiana and Naveen, but with the help of some trustworthy friends that might just have a chance. This is a must own just for the wonderful musical sequences and the fantastic animation. For a hand drawn animation you would expect to find at least a few problems, but that is certainly not the case here. Everything with this Blu-ray transfer is absolutely perfect. Colors are properly saturated, flesh tones accurate, grain is nonexistent, and fine detail couldn't be better. You can add this title to the prestige of the Pixar titles on Blu-ray in my opinion. I was literally blown away by this booming 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio track. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout the film's entire run time. Most of the film consists of various musical numbers and they are all vibrant, clear, and swell to the surround channels. Your sub will get a serious workout and the LFE couldn't sound better. This is definitely one of the best lossless tracks I have ever heard on Blu-ray. This Blu-ray disc is loaded with extras and about half are exclusive. There is an awesome PiP track and everything is presented in 1080. Movie: 8/10 VQ: 10/10 AQ: 10/10 Supplements: 8/10 Final word: A Must Own The screen captures below have a resolution of 1024 x 576 to keep the page from being distorted and to help with load times. As always thanks for reading folks. __________________ Living Room Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120Hz 1080p LCD (24fps)-Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Receiver-Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1-Phillips OTA HD Antenna-Nintendo Wii-LG BH200 Super Blu-Toshiba HD-A20 Bedroom Sanyo DP46848 46" 60Hz 1080p LCD-Terk OTA HD Antenna-Magnavox NB500MG9 Office HP G60 Laptop-HP 2159m 21.5" 60Hz 1080p LCD-Logitech X-540 5.1-Sony 40 GB PS3-ASUS SBC-06D1S-U External BD Drive-Toshiba HD-A2 My Movie Collection 417~139 Latest BD Review: *Ip Man*

03-22-2010, 01:16 AM	#4
SwiftSketcher What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2	Hey, I joined this forum just so I could ask you this question about the Frog Blu Ray. I just wanted to know if it's possible to watch the rough animation from the Picture in Picture in fullscreen mode, instead of just in the corner? No review I've seen has answered this question, and I would love to purchase this Blu-Ray if it's possible to cycle through the picture and picture rough and finished versions on the full screen. Thanks if you can answer Last edited by SwiftSketcher; 03-22-2010 at 04:16 AM.

03-22-2010, 11:51 AM	#8
dsskid ISF Calibrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Age: 46 Posts: 2,692	Thanks for the excellent review. __________________ There is no one perfect display. Read as many professional reviews as possible on the models you are interested in, and then go to the store and actually view them before making your final decision. Living Room - Panasonic TH58PZ700U, Panasonic DMP-BD55AK Man-Cave (Den) - Sony KDL-46Z5100, Sony S360

03-22-2010, 05:48 PM	#10
gossamer 50 is the new 42 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Da Boogie-down Bronx Posts: 570	I thought this was just OK. I did enjoy the extras though. Especially the going back to hand drawn animation ones. And the yeah the pic and sound were spectacular! __________________ Living Room: Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Plasma Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Sony PlayStation 3 80GB Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Toshiba SD-4700 SD DVD Apple Mac mini, 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo Onkyo TX-SR706 Receiver Paradigm Cinema 110 Speaker System Pioneer CLD-3070 LaserDisc Player Quasar VHQ760 VCR Bedroom: Panasonic TC26LX50 26-inch LCD Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray Panasonic DMRES15 DVD Recorder JVC HR-S8000U S-VHS

03-23-2010, 10:23 AM	#11
dsskid ISF Calibrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Age: 46 Posts: 2,692	I've been picking up a few children BDs lately to have on hand for when my nieces and nephews come over. I'm sure they'll enjoy this one also. Ok, I admit it, I enjoy watching them on occasion as well. __________________ There is no one perfect display. Read as many professional reviews as possible on the models you are interested in, and then go to the store and actually view them before making your final decision. Living Room - Panasonic TH58PZ700U, Panasonic DMP-BD55AK Man-Cave (Den) - Sony KDL-46Z5100, Sony S360

03-21-2010, 04:50 PM	#2
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 9,411	I picked this one up on the day of release if I recall but haven't watched it yet and didn't see it in the theater. I love Disney animation and expect this to be excellent just as you have described it. I hope this was a big success and Disney will continue to make high quality animation like this, even though I know it is expensive. Only Sony offers quality comparable to Disney when it comes to Blu-ray, what a great job both companies have done, I am just in awe with each new viewing. The more of these I see, the less I care about any of the convenient streaming or on demand ways to watch HDTV, I will just continue to pay a little more or go to a little more trouble to see and hear something much better. For my money, Blu-ray sure beats the theater as well. Another fine review Goofnut Chris

03-22-2010, 09:37 AM	#6
SwiftSketcher What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2	Thanks a lot for the answer! So I suppose Blu Ray Players like a PS3 and such won't be able to do this then?

03-29-2010, 06:29 AM	#13
NOLA56 Saints in HD Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 7	As someone who resides in New Orleans, I thought the movie also kept a lot of our true themes of our great city. Bravo for that and a return to hand-drawn animation. A very good flick for adults and children!!

04-06-2010, 09:56 PM	#14
okdude123 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 858	I saw this on the demo TV's in the mall today and it sure looked like a good movie that I could watch. I feel many of the hand drawn animations have a certain soul quality about them that really draws me in.

04-07-2010, 04:39 PM	#15
maclhen What is HD? Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3	hello.. That was a great post..Thanks for the info...I'm very much enjoyable watching cartoons movie especially "THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG"..Its educational movie..you can get moral lessons in this movie..My child do really like that movie.. __________________ timelife coupon code