There is no worse way to elevate a film by attempting to tear down another. The Frozen backlash is just a bunch of whiny people mad that their pet Disney movie wasn't the breakout hit that Frozen was. Frozen didn't even have the benefit of the massive marketing push (for Disney), and was really a fairly unexpected hit, at least for its level.

And it did so based primarily on word of mouth on the movie's quality. Ever since, there's been a cottage of industry of arguing Frozen isn't that good (usually centered on Tangled). They're wrong. Frozen really is that good and this review hand waves it away: there's fantastic songbook, and the film doesn't get bogged down in mythology. Over-explaining magic/imaginary tech is the #1 most common and infuriating sin in modern movies. Stop writing user's manuals. It's a McGuffin, we get it. Move on. Frozen doesn't get stuck in this morass, and spends more time on its characters. It's a great film, and truly Disney's best since Lion King. Adults need to stop whining and trying to claim their cool points by liking the "obscure" Disney film.

OK, that said, Princess and the Frog is f'n great. Let's go through their major reasons.

THE STORY. I agree people's motivations make sense (except for the man-servant, who veers wildly back and forth between pure villainy and weak-willed doormat). Prince Niveen has an actual arc to his character, as does Tiana, who eventually learns to put others before he single-minded quest for the restaurant. If that was all that mattered, she could've sold Niveen out. And they do a great job of making you care about a bug and not turning John Goodman's daughter into some cartoon villain who only cares about herself. It's not the Lion King in its Shakespearean theft, but it's got a solid story with good, characters. And the setting itself is a character itself. Even if the author forgives the same flaws in Frog's it condemns Frozen for (like conveniently killing a parent for motivation). And while I love Raymond, his help is more of a plot convenience than a part of his character.

THE ANIMATION. I do love hand drawn animation, but there's no centerpiece section like the floating lights sequence in Tangled or the construction of Elsa's ice tower. It could use that moment for the animators to show off, as the Tiana's Place dream sequence is a little too heavily stylized, and out of place. Still, it's a lush film that makes good use of the New Orleans setting. Probably the only recent American hand drawn film that can compete with Miyazaki on pure beauty.

SOUNDTRACK. Big fan of the soundtrack, and the fact all of the voice actors sing their parts. It also all fits the New Orleans/bayou settings, especially anything involving Raymond. Even Keith David shows off his style even if he's not the greatest singer on earth with Friends on the Other Side. I think Randy Newman wrote every song, and you can't go wrong when he brings his A-game. I think it's only drawback is that it didn't have that one memorable number, instead having a deep roster of great songs.

THE MESSAGE. Wishes only get you part of the way is pretty grounded for a Disney film. I like that Tiana is motivated to be her own person, and not just looking for her prince. She's trying to accomplish her own goals, and there are no shortcuts. I'd also point out Frozen's themes of sisterly love and self-sacrifice saving yourself instead of waiting for someone to save you are pretty similar. And Frozen's is packaged in a well-written twist reveal that subverts audience expectations.

Princess and the Frog is great, and it deserved to be more successful (though I find the jabs at SJW's in the review to be non-sensical, as this was obviously an attempt to have a more racially diverse Princess line... the SJW contingent LOVED this movie and its aims, just as conservatives at the Federlist could latch on to the free market themes). Hopefully, it will find second life, but this was the film Disney thought would relaunch their animated line, not Frozen.