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Since its 1992 release, Disney’s Aladdin has been a beloved family favorite—with lovable characters and the kind of songs that work their way into your head and never leave. So when Disney announced director Guy Ritchie’s live-action remake, fans held their breath, afraid that it wouldn’t live up to the original, yet excited to return to Agrabah.
The live-action remake generally stays true to the animated original, following the story of a boy named Aladdin (Mena Massoud), who spends his days stealing for survival in the markets of Agrabah with his lovable monkey, Abu. After rescuing a beautiful girl from angry merchants, he’s surprised to learn that she’s actually Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott). And it isn’t until he meets a powerful genie (Will Smith) that he realizes that he could actually have a chance to win her heart—and only the Sultan’s ruthless vizier, Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), and his own dishonesty stand in his way.
For those of you who have been holding your breath, it’s time to let it out. It’s going to be okay. Ritchie manages to take the color and the style and the energy of the beloved animated classic and translate it into a vibrant and playful live-action adventure, complete with his own brand of fun-filled action sequences. And while the story is mostly the same, he fleshes it out, adding a little more depth to the characters—especially Jasmine, whose headstrong nature in the original becomes strength and smarts and a determination to become a great ruler instead of just a bride.
Unfortunately, musical theater clearly isn’t Ritchie’s forte. The musical numbers were a key part of the original film—and the bigger musical numbers manage to recapture the excitement. But some of the performances—especially the solo performances—feel awkward and unnatural, and the new song for Jasmine just doesn’t fit.
Then, of course, there’s the big question: can Will Smith fill Robin Williams’s shoes as the genie? Well, no. Williams gave a truly remarkable performance in the animated original, setting the tone for the film. Absolutely no one could fill his shoes. But if there hadn’t been a Robin Williams genie, the Will Smith genie would probably be a hit. He adds his own touch to the story—a little bit of humor and attitude mixed with a little bit of heart and vulnerability—to keep audiences smiling.
For those who still consider Disney’s original Aladdin one of their favorite films, it’ll be easy to find flaws in the remake. But if you can let go of your favorite lines and the animated style and, yes, Robin Williams, you’ll enjoy this lively and stylish spectacle.
Blu-ray Review:
It’s only natural that a lively and fun-filled movie would get a Blu-ray release to match. So on the special features menu of the Aladdin Blu-ray, you’ll find plenty of entertaining extras.
Nearly every Blu-ray release comes with some behind-the-scenes features, and this one is no different. But with people like Guy Ritchie, Will Smith, and Mena Massoud around, there’s never a dull moment. Guy Ritchie: A Cinematic Genie takes a brief look at the director and his fresh perspective. A Friend Like Genie explores Will Smith’s take on the iconic role. And Aladdin’s Video Journal follows Mena Massoud as he captures the business—and silliness—of the set.
The special features also include music videos and a deleted song. There’s a blooper reel, which features plenty of tripping, lots of dance moves, and all kinds of Will Smith antics. And, of course, there are some deleted scenes, with more genie humor and more Prince Anders.
If you love the fun-loving style of Disney’s live-action Aladdin, you’ll love that the style continues through to the extras, too. After your return trip to Agrabah, be sure to visit the special features menu, too.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
