“The Princess and the Frog” – big movie release from Disney!

OK, this is really a big deal folks.  I am a big fan of Disney: its products, theme parks, and commitment to family and excellence.  I personally, however, have been very careful about introducing my daughter to the world of the “Disney Princesses.”  I grew up with a host of beauty images that did NOT mirror my large nose, full lips and kinky hair.  I have spent much of my adult life recreating positive images of beauty for myself and am very conscious of those that are before my children.  So, I have been slow to bringing the whole Disney Princess craze into my home which in my opinion indirectly promotes images such as “snow white” skin and long blonde hair (or long black hair or long brown hair…long hair!) as beauty – even though they are beautiful, they are not physical similarities shared by my daughter, who is definitely beautiful as well with her short curly hair, caramel skin, and chubby tummy!

Now, I am very aware that there are many images of beauty in the world; all of different races and ethnicities so don’t get me wrong.  But, what we cannot deny is the HUGE media buzz around the movie The Princess and the Frog and what it means to little African-American girls all over the world.  It is exciting to see and maybe it will be another piece of the puzzle in recreating and adjusting the images of what we all view as beautiful – impacting races of people everywhere.

A press release describes the story as follows (from Art Daily and Disney.com):

When the free-spirited, jazz-loving Prince Naveen of Maldonia (Bruno Campos) comes to town, a deal with a shady voodoo doctor (Keith David) goes bad and the once suave royal is turned into a frog. In a desperate attempt to be human again, a favor in exchange for a fateful kiss on the lips from the beautiful girl, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), takes an unexpected turn and leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana to the banks of the almighty Mississippi and back in time for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. An unforgettable tale filled with music, humor and heart where two frogs—along with the help of a 197-year-old voodoo priestess, a love-sick Cajun firefly, and a trumpet-playing alligator—discover that what they want isn’t as important as what they need.

In the official trailer it is revealed that once Tiana kisses the frog prince, she herself becomes a frog, and they must journey together to change themselves back to humans.

View movie trailer here: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/