However, it is Will Smith who really makes his mark. Aladdin (Mena Massoud) meets the larger-than-life blue Genie (Will Smith) in Disney’s live-action adaptation ALADDIN, directed by Guy Ritchie. The same can be said of every aspect of Richie’s enchanted carpet ride that lets Aladdin soar into 2019 and beyond.

Listen carefully to the songs in Arabian Nights and you’ll hear the lyrics have been elegantly updated in all the right ways. As much as I love the animated Jasmine, Ritchie’s live-action version has a voice perhaps even more meaningful, speaking out with inspiring force, demanding to be heard. Gone too is the midriff-baring turquoise outfit and any trace of negative stereotypes. Princess Jasmine has the more impressive character arc since her journey from sheltered royal to enlightened woman see her evolve for the better, and her attitude is modernized with a greater sense of agency. Scott not only matches his vocal perfection, she embraces her character’s headstrong willfulness with a sharp edge of feisty brilliance and, as the two leads make abundant magic together. Mena Massoud’s Aladdin has just the right voice to deliver the iconic Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs and his chemistry with Naomi Scott’s Jasmine brims with wit, charm, and passion. Again, I saw a brief clip of this on Twitter and it did nothing for me, but seeing the number played out on Screen 10 at the Arclight – was a whole other world. It might be best described as part Disney parade and part majestic coronation, with a big splash of Bollywood spice for authentic flavor. Prince Ali is deliciously inspired by Bollywood, lavish, vibrant, elegant and Smith makes a firm stamp on the musical number amidst the grand production. The production of the musical numbers are framed lavishly and gracefully staged, whether it’s the Bollywood inspired Prince Ali or A Whole New World as Ali and Jasmine fly over the kingdom -the latter translates surprisingly well to live-action.Ĭhoreographer Jamal Sims adds flamboyance to dance numbers. And so, we have a faithfully live-action recreation of Aladdin, set in a vividly realistic Agrabah, as Prince Ali sets out to woo Princess Jasmine with his new best friend in tow.Įarly on in the film, there’s a chase across the rooftops and you get to see how crisp and detailed the visuals are.

Guy Ritchie or any filmmaker taking on a beloved Disney classic has a high bar to pass when tackling a modern-day version, but surprisingly rather than reinvent the wheel and make drastic changes, Ritchie stays as true to the animated feature as possible. Bold kid that he is, Aladdin’s first wish is to become a prince so he can properly woo Jasmine. When Aladdin releases the genie, the grateful grants him three wishes. She’s supposed to stay confined in her palace, not allowed to venture out on the streets, but she defies those rules, and now look what she’s mixed up in.Īladdin falls for the princess and, as luck would have it, he soon finds a magic lamp with a genie inside. Charming and impish, Aladdin bumps into a beautiful woman and steals from her. If you’ve never seen the 1992 animated classic, the ageless story is about a street rat named Aladdin who wanders the streets of Agrabah stealing from people to survive - and sometimes just for the fun of it. Aladdin instead, opens a cave of delightful wonders and is a shining and shimmery carpet ride.

As it turns out, the clips and trailers have done no justice to the film. So, is it good? Is Guy Ritchie worthy of praise? Surprisingly, yes. Well, last night I saw it with critics and it was fun and highly entertaining, and I’ll be seeing it on Friday. Although, Twitter does seem to approve of Hot Jafar.Īs I write this, my friend’s son who had been skeptical about seeing it, sent me a text message asking if I wanted to see it again on Friday. From Will Smith’s blue genie to Guy Ritchie helming a Disney movie, we’re at a point where everyone has an opinion before they’ve even seen something, dismissing it or raving over it. Of Disney’s live-action remakes, this one seems to be caught most in the spotlight glare, with some people ready to pounce all over it. Also, being named Jasmine, I had a natural affinity for her, flaws and all – and back then she had many representation flaws. Princess Jasmine was a Disney princess unlike any other – not white and blonde. When the film first came out, I rushed to see it and fell in love immediately. I didn’t realize just how deep my love for Disney’s 1992 Aladdin ran.

A whole new world