The Disney live-action adaptation run has been quite impressive. Mostly all of the studio’s releases, led by 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, which grossed $1.263 billion, have been financially successful. 2019 would be the real test of Disney’s live-action adaptions with the release of Aladdin first and The Lion King in July. While the marketing for this film has been nothing short of abysmal, the final product received a genie’s touch as Guy Ritchie captures the magic of the 1992 animated film while incorporating new themes for a 2019 audience.
Fans of the animated film will be quite familiar with the overall premise; the evil Jafar needs the magic lamp and can’t seem to find the diamond in the rough to enter the cave of wonders. Evil Jafar finds Aladdin. Aladdin enters the cave, finds the said lamp, rubs it and away we go.
While the plot is familiar, it’s Ritchie’s inclusion of a strong arc for Naomi Scott’s Jasmine that stood out to me. While the animated film is more about Aladdin’s desire for acceptance, 2019’s Aladdin splits time between Aladdin’s desire and Jasmine’s aspiration to be the Sultan of Agrabah. Naomi Scott is stunning In the role of Jasmine. Her performance is fierce, empowering, while still paying homage to its 1992 predecessor. One big takeaway from Scott’s performance is “Damn, can she sing.” Scott shines in the film’s newest song, “Speechless,” written by La La Land songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul with Disney icon, Alan Menken.
Mena Massoud’s performance of Aladdin should also be lauded. His portrayal is reminiscent of Adam Jacobs in the Broadway musical. His performance is showy and steals many of the scenes he is in, thanks for his great chemistry with Naomi Scott and Will Smith.
The most controversial aspect of this film before its release was Will Smith’s Genie. Fan expectations were low ever since the first look was released by Entertainment Weekly and then his first appearance in the trailer. Now that the film is released, disappointment can be set aside. Rather than attempt to copy Robin Williams, Smith makes the Genie his own. His charisma is on full display as he provides this generation of new Aladdin fans a performance they can be proud to call their own. Is it better than Williams? Absolutely not! But it is a unique performance that will stand on its own two feet.
Along with the leading players, a new addition to the live-action adaptation was one of the film’s highlights. Nasim Pedrad of SNL fame is endearing and funny as Jasmine’s handmaiden and closest friend, Dalia. Her comedic timing is impeccable and she has some of the biggest laughs within the film.
Not everything in Aladdin is rainbows and butterflies as Guy Ritchie’s overuse of CGI where and when none is needed can become quite distracting and is exceptionally prevalent during Scott’s rendition of “Speechless.” It’s a song and performance that is strong enough to stand on its own without the use of CGI. It made it feel like an overproduced music video.
Marwan Kenzari is completely miscast as the villainous Jafar. The over the top performance looked and felt as though I was watching a weekly episode of Power Rangers with your typical villain of the week on display, especially with his attempts at a maniacal laugh. While Kenzari gave it his best try, his performance is easily the worst in the film.
Aladdin does not try to reinvent the wheel, but it made sure it didn’t break it. The film is a welcomed addition to the Disney live-action library and as seen with this week’s box office, it’s one that continues to draw many moviegoers to theaters.
