I didn’t grow up on Disney, so I don’t get the same mildly inappropriate tingle that everyone else seems to get when people talk about Disney classics. But I do appreciate great artwork, so I have to thank John Lasseter and Ed Catmull for pulling Disney back into the 2D world.

We stirred up a little controversy regarding The Princess and the Frog almost a year ago, but hopefully that entire conversation has run its course so we can all get down to the business of appreciating some incredible animation.

Keep in mind, this is Disney’s return to pencil and paper (although some backgrounds and effects are going to be computer-aided):

The Princess and the Frog is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker who brought the world The Little Mermaid and The Great Mouse Detective. Also, Oprah is involved somehow. I think she either drew a bunch of cels or voices one of the characters.

Artistically, these look fantastic. Really dynamic composition, a lot of color and vibrance (which should help bring out New Orleans in the jazz era), and overall it has me excited for a great-looking film. Although that alligator looks like the doofy cousin of the villains in The Rescuers. Which is kind of awesome.

What do you think?