Becauuuuuuuse it's my birthday! 8D I dub this the Year of the Frog- let it begin! 8D

So how did everyone's holidays go? Wonderfully, I hope!

~TTFN!

[ NON SPOILER SECTION ]

Go see Princess and the Frog. You will not regret it at all. That's all I'm going to say.

[ SPOILERIFIC SECTION ]

Ok, seriously, if you have not seen the movie, don't read this section. I know I can't stop you, but the effect of the movie is MUCH better if you do not know every plot twist and turn. I'm just doing this because I love to analyze movies.





...Gone yet?















Ok. Let me just start off by saying the first words that came to my mind after the movie ended were "simply beautiful." And "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." But let's go with the first one. But it still has its flaws, as all things do.

Also, let me say that I'm very sorry for anyone who is expecting another Lion King. The fact is that it is highly unlikely that a masterpiece like that will ever be done again, and frankly I don't believe it will. But you're expecting a mountain out of a pretty good-sized hill! If you go in expecting perfection, be ready for disappointment. If you go in expecting that Disney flair that we all know and love, come right on in!

On with the review.

CONS
- Like all Disney movies, there were some major cliches. Some were handled not-so-well. Such as the cliche of accepting something about yourself right before making some badass move on the bad guy. "It's not slime, it's mucus!" ...Yeah, that formula has worked in other movies, but this one it's just kind of ridiculous. Still, other cliches were played off of to be funny or to keep us guessing! The whole kiss-before-midnight thing was very well-done, I think, and they were able to make it new and make sense! And Tiana giving that big speech in the end about how love is most important, we were all expecting her to throw and break the voodoo charm- but not for the shadow to catch it! Great play off our expectations.

-DISNEY. STOP MAKING IT RAIN DURING SAD SCENES. The first 20 times it was fine, but now it just makes the scene almost funny. I suppose you could see it as Evangeline crying, but... who's honestly going to think of that in the moment? Look at Lion King. No rain when Mufasa died. The rain came as redemption and life. I'd start leaning more towards this representation of rain, Disney.

-Where is the villain? Granted that most villains actually DON'T get too much screen time, since the main characters require more of it, Dr. Facilier was much more complicated than, say, Maleficent. His whole story kind of left us scratching our heads- What debt did he have to pay off? How did he get mixed up in voodoo in the first place? And exactly HOW did he plan to get the money from Charlotte after he killed Big Daddy? Maleficent was a dark fairy that got upset about not being invited to a party. Ok, we can get that. But Facilier was a more dimensional character, and thus needed a bit more development than he got. Leaving some details out can sometimes make the characters seem like they have a lot more life and inside the story, but in this case there was just a little too much left out.

- Ok, I know this is sort of a theme in Disney, but I have to say it. I am not a fan or believer in love at first sight, so Disney romances almost ALWAYS move too fast for me. This one wasn't an exception, but hey, they only had an hour and a half to tell the story, and Tiana and Naveen's relationship had MUCH more development than other Disney couples.

-The movie as a whole just felt like it needed a bit more time to really click into place. It stands alone fine as it is, but I think it could have been made that much better with just a half and hours worth of more development on the characters.

- OH MA GAH! THEY KILLED RAY! Haha, I'm just kidding. That was a great plot point, and he and Evangeline were adorable. But seriously, he was my favorite character.

PROS

- THE ANIMATION. Need I say it? Disney 2D musicals came back with a flourish. The backgrounds, the characters, the movement- all just stunning. But still, an even better sign of how good a movie was is that after the first few minutes, I completely lost track of looking at the animation and got sucked into the movie! Definitely a good sign.

-The characters. My inner character designer has been having a fangasm over these characters for quite some time. They're the most rich and interesting characters Disney has ever made in my opinion. Tiana isn't some dreamy ditz out for love, but she also isn't a war hero. She's a normal, relatable woman with huge dreams, and we love her all the more because of it. Naveen is a charming prince, but he is also narcissistic and has some major flaws. Then again, he has a passion for music, and a talent for mincing. Louis was just great, a fun character in typical Disney fashion, and I've never been in love with a firefly before Ray. And Charlotte. Oh Charlotte. I love you. <3

- The music. It wasn't the best Disney soundtrack by a long shot, but it was definitely fun and I sure was singing as I walked out of the theater!

- The endings of Disney Princess movies have always been a big beef with me. Even strong characters like Belle, who always dreamed of getting out to see the world, immediately settled down once she found her prince. How does this make sense? She couldn't possibly be happy sitting in a palace all day- I don't care how much she loves that prince! A palace would be like a cage to someone with a free spirit like that, but Disney always tried to pass this off as a "happily ever after." Then we get Princess and the Frog. Tiana finds her prince, and do they ride off into the sunset towards a palace in the clouds? NO SIR! They continue working hard to make a life for themselves, finish Tiana's restaurant, and live the dream they've always had for themselves! Troubles may lie ahead, and the road won't always be easy, but they have the passion for their dreams and each other that will help them make it through. Now THAT'S my idea of a happily ever after.

All in all, this is another masterpiece by Disney. Not perfect, but definitely up to the standards of a lot of the movies that we grew up on. Keep it up Disney! We believe in you!

So, what did y'all think? I'd love to hear your reviews of the movie too!

~TTFN!

PRINCESS AND THE FROG MIDNIGHT SHOWING AT DOWNTOWN DISNEY TONIGHT!! WHO'S GOING?! 8DDDD

I am SO EXCITED!! Class is going to take FOREVER TODAY!!


Midnight showing, step in time! Midnight showing, step in time! Never need a reason, never need a rhyme, midnight showing, step in time!


TTFN~!

Tsundere (Harsh Outside-Gentle Inside)
[x] You come off as sort of aloof to other people.
[] In public, you intentionally refrain from showing much weakness.
[x] You have a secret obsession with something cute. ( kittens and little dogs and fluffy princess dresses >.< ...Does that make them not secret anymore? )
[] You pretend that you hate your crush even though you really love him/her.
[] You blush when people point out your sensitivities.
[] You blush when people tell sexual jokes.
Total: 2

Yandere (Gentle Outside-Harsh Inside)
[x] You’re very sweet and kind in public. (I think I have a really old-fashioned view on politeness o0; )
[] When romance becomes a topic of discussion, people say your personality changes drastically. ( lol nope, I'm just as dopey as ever )
[] You know some sort of martial art, swordplay, or otherwise. ( D: I wish. *wants to learn Pa Qua or Ba Gua or whatever very badly )
[] You have a crush who you’d literally kill for.
[x] You have a pet-peeve that makes you snap.
[] Schizophrenic? ( ...Do imaginary friends count if I KNOW they're not real? < )
Total: 2

Meganekko (Girl-with-Glasses Character)
[x] You have glasses.
[x] You can sometimes be clumsy, ditzy, or absent-minded.
[x] You are always very polite in your speech. (as explained above- but only to strangers or acquaintances. Otherwise I can be quite wude. )
[x] You are fairly intelligent in some field. ( ... I think... )
[x] You take discipline seriously.
[x] You have some sort of fetish for something.
Total: 6 >.<

Tsukkomi (Angry Guy)
[x] You have a friend who often makes dumb or embarrassing remarks.
[x] You smack/beat up this friend in some way. ( lol eric)
[] You do your best to maintain a calm facade, only to be thwarted by this friend.
[] If you & your friend were a yin-yang, you’d be the “yin”
[x] You swear a lot. ( >> I'm trying to stop... )
[] You try to bring out the more serious side of your ridiculous friend.
Total: 3

Boke (Dumb Guy)
[x] You often make silly or embarrassing comments.
[] You like annoying the heck out of your best friend.
[] You often get beaten up by your friend in some way, but you take it in good stride.
[] If you & your friend were a yin-yang, you’d be the “yang”.
[] You are normally very laidback and carefree.
[] You try to bring out the happier side of your angry friend.
Total: 1

Nadeshiko (Perfect Wife)
[] You are always, almost overly, polite.
[x] You love traditional Japanese culture.
[] You often wear either a kimono, yukata (summer cotton kimono), or apron.
[] You’re an excellent cook.
[] You are hardly ever angry.
[x] You have really long hair.
Total: 2 ( Oh hell no. )

Sexy Character
[] Your bust/package is...formidable. ( *runs away to a corner and cries quietly* )
[] You like making sexual innuendos.
[] You encourage trips to the beach, pool, or onsen (hot springs).
[x] There are some sexual things that you are ignorant to or need explained to you.
[] You’re an expert cosplayer.
[] You like the taste of alcohol.
Total: 1

Loli/Shota Character
[x] You like sweets or chocolate.
[x] You adore cute things and/or the word “kawaii”. ( first part, if you say "kawaii" while not actually trying to speak fluent japanese, I may have to punch you)
[] You use Japanese suffixes like “-chan,” “-tan,” “-sempai,” etc...
[] You add unnecessary suffixes to the ends of your sentences, like “nyo,” “nyu,” “un,” etc...etc~~~
[x] You are considered gullible or naive.
[x] You have a tall/powerful friend who protects you. ( Jenna punched a guy in the nuts for me. )
Total: 4

Well that was an overwhelming victory. o0; Girl with glasses character... huh. I always like those types.

In other news, I have been getting so sick lately. >< I hope I'm not getting IBS or something... that would REALLY suck. Hopefully it'll pass soon- oh gross, no pun intended PLEASE.

~TTFN!

THANK YOU FOR THE EPILOGUE, CLAMP. YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

I take back what I said. CLAMP just thought they would trick us with the last chapter. Scamps... So, READ TSUBASA RC! The ending is very good. ^_____^

...Except I don't really get the Tsubasa thing. o____o Maybe I'm just dumb when it comes to Japanese storylines.

~TTFN!