Disney's much heralded (and highly controversial) return to cel animation, The Princess and the Frog, is starting to pick up some positive buzz.
The good folks at Cartoon Brew scored an exclusive look at some behind-the-scenes footage for the upcoming cel animated flick. Called "Conjuring the Villain," it features the movie's main adversary, Dr. Facilier.
Yeah, it's a fluff piece designed to promote the flick to the (half-way) converted, but it's nevertheless a fascinating look at what's already become the most talked-about animated film being produced this year.
"I play Dr. Facilier," says actor Keith David (last heard voicing the Black Cat in Coraline) in the featurette, who is clearly relishing his role. "I think of him as a delicious bad guy. He'll be on that roster of wonderful Disney villains."
Supervising animator Bruce Smith, who specifically asked to animate Dr. Facilier, appears genuinely effusive about working with David's voice track.
"Keith David has some great little subtle things that he does in his acting," says Smith. "In the way he moves, his eyes. He has a great sinister smile . . . as an animator, you know it's those subtle things that pulls the audience in."
Disney's Cel Animated The Princess and the Frog Stars Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David
If you don't know already, The Princess and the Frog is set in 1920's New Orleans. It follows black Princess Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), who gets a proposal from a mysterious talking frog (Bruno Campos): kiss him and he will turn back into the handsome prince he used to be before Dr. Facilier transformed him. Unfortunately for both, the plan backfires and Tiana becomes a frog herself.
It's directed by Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and features songs by New Orleans native Randy Newman (Toy Story). Dr. Facilier's song (the one with the vocal turnaround, "I got friends on the other side") seems genetically created to hardwire itself to the listener's brain and never let go.
Now that the controversy over the film's subject matter appears to have calmed down, the animation community appears jazzed (sorry) over The Princess and the Frog's look and style.
"That’s some good animation there," says indie animator/director Nina Paley (Sita Sings the Blues) in the comments section.
"The animation looks fantastic, and its (sic) great to see it in pencil form as well," chimes in fellow animator Emmett Goodman. " The character (of Dr. Facilier) appears to have a lot of charisma and potential charm. I’m really impressed by Bruce Smith’s work, and Keith David’s performance sounds great so far.
"I just hope in the actual movie, there’s a little more meat to this villain, rather than just being a malicious bastard."
However, some are noticing similarities between Dr. Facilier and the Baron Samedi character played by Geoffrey Holder in the 1973 James Bond flick Live and Let Die. Off-hand, it's more that both characters are black – and playing Voodoo witch doctors – than any obvious influence/blatant ripoff.
The Princess and the Frog hits theatres on December 11th.
Fun Fact: Louis the alligator and Ray the firefly were named after legendary jazz and R&B players Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong and "Brother" Ray Charles
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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