The Frog Prince is a 1986 movie directed by Jackson Hunsicker, with Aileen Quinn playing the leading role of Princess Zora. The story is an adaptation of the classic fairy tale The Frog Prince, with a few twists and modernizations. The movie begins with Princess Zora, who is deeply dissatisfied with her life as a royal, constantly bored and frustrated with her lack of freedom. She longs for adventure and excitement, dreams of running away from the castle, and explores the nearby forest whenever she can. One day, while wandering by a pond, she encounters a talking frog named Frogberry, who claims to be a prince under a curse. According to him, if someone kisses him, he will turn back into a human. Princess Zora is skeptical, but Frogberry manages to convince her to take him back to the castle, promising to reward her with a wish if the curse is broken.
Upon arriving at the castle, Princess Zora hides Frogberry in her room, where he causes chaos by eating her food, jumping around, and getting into her personal belongings. Nonetheless, as the days go by, a bond forms between the two, with Frogberry revealing to the princess his past, his family, and his kingdom. Princess Zora, who feels that no one truly listens to her, finds in Frogberry a genuine friend who values her thoughts and opinions. However, things get tricky when Prince Favor, a suitor that her parents approve of, arrives at the castle, followed by the evil sorceress Gundrid, who seeks to enslave Frogberry's people and steal their magic.
From that point on, The Frog Prince becomes a tale of adventure, romance, and heroism, as Princess Zora and Frogberry team up to defeat Gundrid's plans, save Frogberry's kingdom, and break the curse that keeps him trapped in his amphibian form. Along the way, they face various obstacles, both external and internal, that challenge their beliefs, values, and feelings. They also learn lessons about themselves and about each other, discovering strengths and weaknesses they did not know they had.
One of the main themes of The Frog Prince is the importance of honesty and communication in any relationship, especially a friendship. Princess Zora and Frogberry hide things from each other, leading to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Eventually, they learn to trust each other and share their secrets and fears, which makes their bond even stronger. Another theme is the power of self-discovery and growth, as both characters undergo transformations that make them more confident, independent, and empathetic.
The Frog Prince features some impressive visual effects, considering its release date. The scenes in Frogberry's underground kingdom, with its glowing crystals, flowing waterfalls, and luminescent creatures, are particularly stunning. The music, composed by Andrew Belling, is also enjoyable, with upbeat and catchy tunes that fit the movie's tone and style.
Aileen Quinn's performance as Princess Zora is excellent, conveying the character's range of emotions and motivations with subtlety and charm. She manages to make Zora relatable and likable, despite her privileged status, and makes her transformation believable and satisfying. John Paragon, who voices Frogberry, also deserves credit for bringing the character to life with humor and personality.
Overall, The Frog Prince is an enjoyable and heartwarming movie that balances adventure, romance, and friendship in a delightful way. While it deviates from the original fairy tale in some aspects, it remains faithful to its spirit and themes, and adds its own twists and humor. It's a great movie for kids and adults who love fairy tales, talking animals, and happy endings.
The Frog Prince is a 2016 family movie with a runtime of 12 hours.
