The new Proud Princess, which has been showing in theaters since Thursday, is very close to the original, unlike Disney’s foreign remakes. All the more, the question arises: isn’t it a rather pointless undertaking?
The creators, who also include respected animator Radek Beran as co-director and screenwriter, are trying to sell the popular classic to today’s young audience. The basis thus remains a simple story inspired by Božena Němcová’s fairy tale, which was adapted into a film in 1952 by Bořivoj Zeman.
For anyone who has seen the extremely bad poster of the new film, it will be a pleasant surprise that the Proud Princess is relatively successful in terms of animation and skillfully copies foreign models. Jokes and small emotions work, and even though the whole visually looks more modest in terms of details, the most important things are taken up. And since the script is relatively faithful to the original – from the title song to the well-known tales of the confused king from the Midnight Kingdom – the result sounds quite satisfactory. Just somewhat pointlessly.
Foreign filmmakers at Disney usually try to come up with a slightly different story, to update old hits.
Princess Krasomila is accompanied by a cute but dull Bichon dog. | Photo: CinemArt
The Czech creators do not have to worry about a similar problem, they are based on an animated fairy tale, and the animated novelty turned out quite well. But wherever they stick to the original, the new version always comes out a little worse. And where they try to innovate, it turns out either unconvincingly or disastrously.
Since the authors took Hollywood as a model, one of the heroes must necessarily have their slightly stubborn or comic sidekick who plays second fiddle and is there just to create fun. And so Princess Krasomila, whom Miroslav is trying to rid of her pride, is accompanied by a cute, but completely manipulable and blunt Bichon dog. However, his actions generate enough gags that a small audience can easily appreciate it.
Be that as it may, one would put up with a Bichon, but one thing that does not make sense at all is music. For a fairy tale built around the famous song Rozvíjej, the bud is really startling when in the new version this famous song is complemented by completely horrible songs.
When it comes to a project that has essentially been in the making for years, was it not possible to hire someone who would devote more than two evenings to the lyrics and melodies in addition to the animators? Of course, you can’t ask Ondřej Gregor Brzobohatý to miraculously become František Hrubín, the author of the original text. But did he have to create songs that hurt and sabotage the original poetics?
It was precisely because of this inconsistency that the new Proud Princess turned out half-hearted at best. After every hilarious scene, he manages to get angry with similar force.
First of all, it is sold out in many places. Why is the new gardener in disguise ridding the fountain at the castle of a dried root, while all around there are bushes perfectly modeled in the shape of the faces of the local councilors? This strangely video game aesthetic, in which you only need to swipe once and everything suddenly lights up, is especially tacky.
In the moments when the film tries to be action-oriented, which succeeds in some places, the filmmakers do not bother much with space-time and logic. As the fleeing heroes build a fire several times and lie down to sleep, they soon cover the same distance back and forth in a matter of seconds.
The proud princess stood at the very beginning of the huge popularity of domestic film and television fairy tales. Today’s production, on the other hand, often gives rise to doubts as to whether it is not a somewhat outdated genre.
On the one hand, the animated remake surpasses many contemporary animated fairy tales, as the classic and universal message transcends generations. But this happens rather despite my efforts to give the story a more modern guise.
Czech animation is on the rise today. Short-length works are repeatedly promoted at the world’s most prestigious festivals, such as the one in Annecy, France. And domestic feature-length projects have also been scoring there lately, most recently this year the film Life to Eat, which is also currently showing in cinemas, took home the jury prize.
While the latter confidently targets a teenage audience and is able to present the difficult topic of obesity and other difficulties associated with being in a school collective with insight and optimism, Pišná princezna is a product of a purely local character. And moreover one that can never come out victorious when compared to the original.
Film
A proud princess
Directed by: Radek Beran and David Lisý
CinemArt, in theaters from November 7.
How does the music selection in *The Proud Princess* impact its overall reception compared to classics?
Time.news Interview: The Proud Princess – A New Take on a Classic
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, everyone. Today, we’re joined by animation expert and critic, Dr. Elena Novák, who has been following the evolution of animated films, especially in the context of adaptations. Dr. Novák, thank you for being here to discuss the new film, The Proud Princess.
Dr. Novák: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to dive into this topic.
Editor: The film has been received with mixed opinions, particularly concerning its fidelity to the original story. How do you view this approach compared to other studios, like Disney, which tend to modify their adaptations?
Dr. Novák: It’s an interesting contrast. While Disney often seeks to refresh their stories by introducing new narratives or characters, The Proud Princess stays close to the original fairy tale. This can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it preserves the charm of the source material, but on the other, it raises the question of relevance in today’s context—especially for younger audiences.
Editor: Exactly! You mentioned the relevance to today’s youth. The creators aimed to introduce this classic to a new generation, but do you think they succeeded?
Dr. Novák: It’s a mixed bag. While the animation quality and comedic elements are commendable, the film struggles with some aspects that seem outdated. For example, while the character of Princess Krasomila has a cute sidekick—a Bichon dog—this type of character often feels clichéd rather than innovative. The humor may resonate with children, but does it engage them on a deeper level?
Editor: That’s a valid point. The film also incorporated new music alongside the beloved original song, Rozvíjej, bud. However, critics noted that the new songs fell flat. How crucial do you think music is in animation, particularly in adaptations?
Dr. Novák: Music is fundamental in animated films, especially in adaptations where audiences have certain expectations. The new songs not only need to complement the visuals but also need to capture the essence of the original. If they miss the mark, it risks overshadowing the entire film. It’s a shame because a strong musical score can greatly enhance the emotional and nostalgic connection to the story.
Editor: Some viewers have pointed out inconsistencies in the storytelling and pacing, especially during action scenes. How important is coherence in a narrative, especially in a whimsical fairy tale?
Dr. Novák: Coherence is essential, regardless of the genre. For a whimsical fairy tale, the story needs to maintain a sense of logic, or at least a friendly kind of absurdity that feels intentional. If action sequences are poorly executed or stray too far into confusing territory, it can leave the audience feeling disconnected. The balance between fun and logic is crucial, as it helps maintain engagement without stretching credibility too far.
Editor: After analyzing the film, would you say The Proud Princess fulfills its intent, or does it come off as a pointless exercise in nostalgia?
Dr. Novák: It’s hard to label it as entirely pointless—it does offer some joy for young viewers and nostalgia for adults. However, it lacks the depth and innovation that could have made it a standout. At its best, it serves as a gateway to the original tale; at its worst, it feels like an opportunity missed to truly resonate with audiences today.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Novák. Your insights add a lot to understanding The Proud Princess and its place in the animation landscape. It’s clear that while the film has potential, the execution may leave some wanting more.
Dr. Novák: Absolutely, and thank you for the engaging conversation. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the intricacies of storytelling in animation.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with us for more lively discussions on the latest in film and animation.