Anyone with any sort of somewhat decent childhood remembers the original Aladdin cartoon that first hit the big screen in 1992. Full of bright colors, comedic dancing scenes, and magic lamps and carpets, Aladdin was one of Disney’s most popular cartoons. Now in 2019, people are rushing to theaters hoping to experience their childhood delightment once again, in this live action remake. Unfortunately, many fans may be disappointed by the rehashed movie featuring a sad display of the same story that doesn’t quite satisfy expectations.
The story does manage to remain true to itself, throwing the viewer into the fantasyland of Agrabah and its crowded streets. The poor “street rat” Aladdin works the merchants and vendors, making his living with his light hands, quick feet, and helpful monkey. The classic theme of the good-hearted thief shines through as he gives to hungry children and saves Princess Jasmine, who for some reason thought she wouldn’t have to pay for anything while disguised as a peasant, from an angry merchant. He quickly falls for the undercover Princess, and once joined by a magic carpet and genie, does everything to gain her love and save the kingdom from the wicked undermining counselor of the Sultan, Jafar.
This new Aladdin is not a cartoon like its past self, yet it still attempts to act like one, trading the smooth and traditional fluid look of animation, for the over-the-top and out-of-place literalism of computer-generated graphics. The animal sidekicks, including Abu, the famous quick-handed monkey; Jafar’s evil parrot; and Jasmine’s protective tiger, fail to come across as either cute or realistic. The people, while real, look as though they belong in a painting with their bright clothes and constant jumping, singing, and dancing. All the aspects that made the cartoon so great worked in opposite fashion when brought to life and off the pages of the artist’s storyboard.
It is possible that some of the movies shortcomings came from the cast. The lead actor, Mena Massoud, playing Aladdin, is rather off and didn’t seem to embody the cartoon character everyone was expecting. Naomi Scott is beautiful, as always, and is perhaps the best singer of the cast, yet also seems to be disconnected from her character. The most intact character was Will Smith as the Genie. Will Smith is a great actor and fills the shoes left behind by Robin Williams quite well. However, he isn’t quite the best singer and some of his musical numbers, including “Friend Like Me,” fall short of the timeless classics.
Other numbers, such as “A Whole New World,” while they remind the viewer of how great a story, as well as musical, the old Aladdin is, fail to impress or inspire. New numbers like “Speechless” came across as nothing more than a poor and overly done attempt at promoting feminism. There was something much more magical present in the cartoon’s musical pieces. In this film the scenes felt odd and forced, similar to a cringey musical on lower par than even Mama Mia.
Overall, Disney presented a less than satisfactory and rather unnecessary remake. The cartoons are already the best version of the story, and these remakes, while exciting and appealing, leave the viewer with nothing but nostalgia. This is just another example of Disney’s attempt to wring every last dollar possible from their various sources with minimal effort and time expended.