ALADDIN movie review is here. The musical fantasy produced by Walt Disney Pictures, is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1992 animated film of the same name. Helmed by Guy Ritchie known for brilliant crime comedies like LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS, and SNATCH along with the entertaining SHERLOCK HOLMES series. Releasing on 24th?May 2019, ALADDIN is based on the classic Arabian folktale from One Thousand and One Nights, starring Will Smith as genie, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine and Mena Massoud as Aladdin. Does it fulfills or expectations?. Find out in the review of ALADDIN.

Stand out moment

Chief animator Eric Goldberg creates one incredible moment where Will Smith makes a parade of caricatures ranging from late William F. Buckley Jr. to late Peter

The Story of ALADDIN

A poor thief from Agrabah "street rat" Aladdin (Mena Massoud) is smitten with the Sultan's daughter Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), the feisty princess of Agrabah who wants to live a life the way she wants and not just marry a prince. Aladdin falls into the wicked plans of Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) the Grand Vizier of Agrabah, a deceptive sorcerer and the chief advisor of Sultan (Navid Negahban). Jafar hatches a plan to overthrow the Sultan as the ruler of Agrabah by acquiring the Genie's lamp with the help of Aladdin by promising him the riches he needs to acquire the love of princess Jasmine. Aladdin gets the magic lamp and accidently frees the Genie (Will Smith) from the lamp. What happens next?

Analysis

Written by John August and polished by Ritchie, with music and songs by Alan Menken (and the late Howard Ashman), the remake of the 1992 animated hit of the same name retains the classic songs like the "A Whole New World," "Friend Like Me," as well in an altered form. A new number "Speechless," featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Evan Hansen - LA LA LAND), also pops up for its obvious reasons to be politically correct in this version of ALADDIN that tries to be global as much as possible with artiste coming from Egypt, South Asia, Dutch, Iran and even African American in a movie directed by a British filmmaker. As a result, Disney?s ALADDIN directed by Guy Ritchie begins and ends as a Disney movie not a Guy Ritchie take on the classic legend from Arabian Nights.

Will Smith as Genie?

The Guy Ritchie remake sees Will Smith stepping in the shoes of Robin Williams in the role of The Genie. It?s a great challenge. Will Smith in the bright blue CGI form is more masculine and bigger coming with an endearing hip-hop swag in comparison to Robin Williams terrific sense of humour and mastery over improvisation. Nevertheless, Will Smith with his charm, enthusiasm and wit makes Genie his own for today?s generation. Those who have experienced the extraordinary Robin Williams decades ago will continue to keep that as a treasure forever as nobody has been able to surpass that till date.

Performances of other actors

Along with Genie it the princess that holds herself on her own not Aladdin, Naomi Scott is gorgeous and sings wonderfully. Marwan Kenzari as the evil Zafar is quite good. Negahban as Sultan has his moments. Nasim Pedrad as Genie?s love interest is cute and funny. Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders brings smiles.

Flaws

Guy Ritchie delivers what the fans of Aladdin and Disney ordered. It?s so routine and beaten to death with minimum innovation. The enthusiasm is surprisingly seen in chase sequences and not in those music pieces, romance etc. It?s beautiful but not loving enough. Mena Massoud as Aladdin is flat coming straight from the animation in looks but not the expressions. The song ?speechless? though sung with great power and control seems forced. The climax is huge disappointment giving a weird impression that the awesome world of Walt Disney is still under the control of MCU?s superheroes.

Final words

Will Smith and Naomi Scott make up for the flaws by Guy Ritchie and end up the latest version of ALADDIN as a staple Disney product meant to cash on the popularity of the classic Arabian folktale during the summer vacation and coming Eid in Asia/India and elsewhere. Will Smith successfully gives his identity to the Genie but Guy Ritchie fails to give his identity to ALADDIN. Going with a generous three star, an extra for the Genie and the Princess.