[Movie Review] Aladdin (2019)
Plot Summary: A kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writers: John August, Guy Ritchie
Runtime: 2h 8min
Main Cast:
- Will Smith as Genie / Mariner
- Mena Massoud as Aladdin
- Naomi Scott as Jasmine
- Marwan Kenzari as Jafar
Review by: Erika T
We already know Disney’s plan to churn out pretty much any and every live-action adaptation of its vast classic library. No film is safe, including Aladdin. Sometimes that takes the magic out of the experience, but I am ever optimistic and will give them all a chance. I’m such a fan of the originals that I always want to give the live-action the benefit of the doubt. While I can’t say any of them replace the classics that I hold so near and dear to my heart, sometimes they are fun in their own ways. Aladdin falls into this category.
People were giving Will Smith a hard time for being cast as Genie, but I’ve always been a fan of his work and this was no exception. He honestly carries the movie and is one of the bright spots. He brings the great personality; he brings the laughs, the charm. You quickly remember that he was THE most bankable actor of Hollywood for years and that’s because we like him and he is good at what he does. I think this role was a good reminder of that. He made it his own (because he absolutely had to) though there were nice touches of homage to the original Genie played by the unforgettable Robin Williams. I honestly don’t know who else I would have enjoyed more in the role that’s living today.
It’s a musical of course, so the musical numbers have to be on point. I was let down that Cinderella didn’t even bother with it. And then I was further let down that Beauty and the Beast did, but I ended up strongly disliking those versions. I was a little worried about how I’d feel regarding Aladdin, and while I do prefer the originals, I think they made a great effort,especially with A Whole New World. I was a fan of the Broadway play’s soundtrack as well, so I think giving them all a listen soon would be worth my time.
While the film was overall enjoyable, I can’t say it’s perfect. Sometimes the direction looked a little awkward, and the choreography looked like odd CGI. Some of the intent of pageantry and spectacle felt a bit underwhelming. When the film first started I wasn’t sure I would like it. I wasn’t warming to the cast or the numbers as much, including Will. But they drastically turn it around and the movie settles into itself nicely. I typically enjoy Guy Ritchie’s films, but I feel like he didn’t quite know what he wanted to do here at times. His inexperience with musicals was obvious.
The film isn’t a carbon copy of the original so that adds a bit of interest to the storyline. Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott are fine as Aladdin and Jasmine, though their chemistry together wasn’t as strong. I enjoyed Marwan Kenzari a lot as Jafar. The film certainly brings the eye candy with its main cast. I wish Gilbert Gottfried could have reprised his role as Iago but I did enjoy the character.
Summary
All in all, it’s still good family fun and I recommend it. The colors are beautiful on the big screen too. My theatre had a lot of smiles and cheers from the audience when it was over, so I think it still has something good to offer.
Images Courtesy of IMDB
