Aladdin review

Growing up I loved the original 1992 version of Aladdin. I had it on VHS and always used to rewind the tape time and time again to revisit Aladdin and his adventure in Agrabah. Well will this new live action version of the story live up to the source material?? Directed by Guy Ritchie Aladdin doesn't begin in Agrabah but instead a small ship. The man on the ship begins to tell the story of Aladdin, The Princess and The Genie to his kids and it is then we're brought into the first of many musical numbers. At first glance Aladdin is incredibly beautiful to look at. The production design and cinematography here is stellar from the majority of the movie. Of course there's some need I say dodgy looking CG affects but for the most part it is one of the most best looking movies visually this year. 

What separates Aladdin from other live action remakes of old Disney classics however is it's performance. Well let me rephrase that. Performance. As Will Smith takes the role of The Genie and practically takes this movie all by himself to the highest of highs. He's incredibly likable, funny, quick witted and completely bonkers. It's not too much of an attempt at bringing Robin William's version of The Genie to the screen but more of his own as there is even some Will Smith rap throw in for good measure. The movie in my opinion really begins once he is unleashed from his lap and it's from there that Aladdin really takes off on that magic carpet. Other performers include Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine who only grows more and more as the movie goes on and her performance is perfectly acceptable. Nothing major but she does good with the material she's given. Aladdin is played by a newcomer named Mena Massoud. He is incredibly charming and while he loses his way a bit in the middle half of the movie he regains it by the time the credits begin to role. There is one problem with Aladdin however and that is without Will Smith on screen as The Genie it just doesn't feel all that interesting honestly. Don't get me wrong there is nothing bad here but when The Genie is on screen it just propels the movie to this whole other time and place. The rest of the cast are fine here too including a typical villain in Jafar who is as cliche as they come at times, he's fine but rather stock and bland. What isn't bland however are the many musical numbers that like the original are magical and will have you foot tapping along. 

Aladdin isn't the perfect Disney animation to live action remake but it is really enjoyable (when Will Smith is on screen mostly) kids will eat it up no doubt as it really is a movie for all the family to enjoy. Not the perfect recreation of Agrabah that I wanted by any means but I did enjoy my time spent there. 

★★★