Disney's Aladdin Film Review - Success or Failure? Do You Trust Me?
I recently watched the new version of Disney's Aladdin, as most of us probably have, and I've put together a list of hits and misses. There's always a stigma that a sequel or a reworked version of original, beloved films are doomed to failure or are expected to be that way, and did Aladdin challenge this thought?
Intial Thoughts on Disney’s live action aladdin
First off - production was INCREDIBLE. The way the scenes are set, the coloring, the new versions of the soundtrack, the casting, the grandness of it all; fantastic. I don't have any complaints there.
Second of all - I was however disappointed with the lack of detail in comparison to the original movie. I know remakes should be new and improved, and I totally understand why they didn't just 100% copy the original, however, I felt there were many missed opportunities to pay homage to the original and the charm it has. I compiled a list of things that I felt could have been added or changed, as I felt without them, the remake lost its ability to make me feel something more.
changes and additions
The retelling and rewriting of some of the scenes
As the movie started, it progressed so fast, I felt like I had missed the entire beginning scenes. The original introduces Aladdin in a way that makes us progressively like him, since his wits and quickness gets him so far that it impresses us. The remake however, jumps right into Jasmine in the market place, and it doesn't give us a chance to get to know Aladdin and his daily antics, as well as give us a clear explanation as to why he would help her in the first place. Also the baguette... HE DIDN'T GIVE THE CHILDREN THE BAGUETTE!
The movie starts with Will Smith, on a boat, with 2 children, presumably his own. They ask him for a story and he begins singing "Arabian Nights". In the original, the movie opens with a lamp merchant, telling the story of Aladdin to the audience as he is already set in Agrabah. I feel the change with adding the story to the children was typical... I could name many other movies that start and end this way. The lamp merchant added more charm, since of course we all knew it was the Genie telling us the story.
The merchant from Aladdin. Image from: https://slate.com/culture/2015/10/aladdin-director-confirms-a-popular-fan-theory-about-the-merchant-and-genie.html
Another scene that was changed was the way Jafar approaches Aladdin to get the lamp from the cave of wonders. They simply have a talk on a desert hill and Jafar gets Aladdin on his side by showing him that they're not that different. In the original, Jafar disguises himself as a prisoner and sways Aladdin. The prisoner part could've given Jafar's character more depth, and show more willingness to do whatever he needed to do to get the lamp.
2. The differences in character development
Aladdin: Mena did a good job at making himself likable and have the same charm as our beloved Aladdin does, overall no huge differences between the remake and original.
Jasmine: I'm EXTREMELY happy with how they revisited Jasmine's character, Naomi Scott was a perfect fit. Her voice, raw emotions she showed, everything was excellent. You could really feel empathy for her near the end. I love the addition of her own song and the storyline of her wanting to be Sultan, it added so much depth and development to her character and made the whole audience root for her the entire movie. Excellent job.
Jasmine and Naomi Scott from Aladdin. Image from: https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/photo-gallery/45921590/image/45921641/Naomi-Scott-Princess-Jasmine
Genie: I was nervous for this one at first, as most of us were, but Will Smith did exactly what he should have done: be Will Smith. He made the Genie his own by adding a different twist to the songs and lines, they definitely catered it to him. It would have been a disaster if he attempted to copy Robin Williams, because no one can replace that man.
Jafar: This one's tough. Marwan Kenzari is a fantastic actor, and I think he did all he could do with what he was given. However, I feel they totally missed the mark with who Jafar is. Jafar is much older than they made him, and the twisty beard was missing! That could've been easily added to this character so that we knew who Jafar was. He merely looked like a civilian to me. They could have gone farther with the Sorcerer part, overall, they should've did more to make Jafar, Jafar. Also, no prince abubu line?
Jafar and Marwan Kenzari from Aladdin. Image from: https://screenrant.com/aladdin-2019-cast-animated-movie-1992-comparison/
Sultan: I'm not sure if I'm the only one who thinks this, but I particularly missed the little, round, bubbly Sultan. He's another role that adds charm to the movie. I'm glad they added an explanation as to why Jasmine is stuck in the palace, and did give the Sultan a bit more emotion and a reason behind his ring, but the humor of this character was completely lost.
Iago: Why. Just why? Iago seemed like a total second thought to the whole movie, as if they forgot about him and added him in last minute. He had no characterization, no humor, nothing Gilbert Gottfried about him! I can understand how hard it is to animate and work with animals, but they did so much with Abu and Raja, I feel Iago was 100% on the backburner.
Dalia: I feel she's a bit of an unnecessary character, seems like she was just added to give it a modern twist, so that the Genie would have a love interest. A little weird addition, that's all.
3. Small details that weren't included
The baguette: I did mention this earlier, but in the remake, they changed Aladdin giving the 2 poor children in the streets a baguette, to him giving them a bag of dates. I'm not sure what the point in changing it was, it didn't add to the plot, rather took away a really iconic part for Aladdin.
Aladdin. Image from: https://weheartit.com/entry/323118285
The apple & flower: I might've missed it being distracted by Naomi Scott's voice, but I don't recall Aladdin swooping down and giving Jasmine an apple and flower in "A Whole New World". I also don't recall him handing her an apple when he shows her where he lives. The apple is an ongoing theme throughout the original movie, it's another part of Aladdin's character that adds to his charm and I feel they missed the mark on that, just by not adding a piece of fruit.
Aladdin and Jasmine during A Whole New World. Image from: https://giphy.com/gifs/love-disney-jasmine-v42gdWNg4njNe
Hour glass: In the remake, Jasmine, the Sultan, the guards, and Dalia are under a spell from Jafar to make them float in the air, trapped, so they can't help Aladdin. In the original, Jasmine is stuck in an hour glass with sand coming down on her, and Aladdin saves her before she can suffocate. The hour glass signifies that time is ending for Aladdin and the royalty in the castle, and this could've been cool to see in live action.
Jasmine in the hour glass.
Hawaiian shirt & Goofy hat: One of the most iconic parts of the Genie in the original movie is when he is freed, he has a Hawaiian shirt and Goofy hat on. There's tons of pictures of him in this outfit, and is such a humorous and *meta* part of the original. I was sad not seeing this in the remake.
Robin Williams and the Genie.
On a lighter note, I genuinely thought it was well executed, I just get picky since I hold Aladdin to such a high regard. A Whole New World, Prince Ali, and Speechless were done extremely well. Abu and the magic carpet were standouts for me, as they kept the same personalities and characteristics the 2 of them have in the original. I even choked up when the carpet ripped, so that says something. Overall, I'll probably watch it again, and I do recommend it, as it's probably one of the most well produced Disney remakes so far. I do wish there was a dedication to Robin Williams at the end too - but was happy to see the 1992 art of him as an easter egg in there. And also the little nod to Disneyland on the map Jasmine has.
Genie, you’re free.