Same but at the same time more

Rating: 9/10 (26 May 2019)

So you think you are about to watch another Disney debacle -ever since the Jungle book (Jon Favreau is your excellence guarantee right there) they can't seem to make it right. The Beauty and the Beast horrid attempt set the bar so low, you question the whole project -storytelling, music, casting, everything.
But still, it's Disney. You're still gonna watch the upcoming remakes hoping for a miracle. And Aladdin delivers it out of nowhere. Well... when you see Guy Ritchie in the opening credits, you have your first indication it's gonna be good. Then Mena Massoud shines he's big Aladdin smile, Naomi Scotts eyes are burning with Jasmin's intelligence and you're drawn in without realizing it.
It's impossible not to compare to the original - but at the same time the whole point of the Disney Second Wave (as i call it) of movies is to take the story and the characters one step beyond -present it with today's backload of knowledge and cultural/political aspects. This movie is balanced -not excessive changes but crucial and yet true to it's core story. Jasmin gets the chance to be as dynamic as they always intended her to be, Aladdin has the time to demonstrate the human struggle of values vs desire and Jafar truly represents greed, in an almost terrifying way towards the end. The actors not only justify the characters but they are now part of their evolution -they are, one by one, the characters' true form.
I left the Genie for the end as it was my own personal fear that the character will not come off as he should. Robin Williams not only set a bar but he WAS the Genie. Will Smith knows that, he works on that and takes the Genie one step ahead. He might be blue, he might be singing the same songs bit he's not the 1992-Robin Williams-Blue Genie. He is a different character, an entirely new Genie. He pulls the same magic that transforms Aladdin to Prince Ali, you think you see the 92 Genie but he's a new one. And boy, isn't he magical! He brings the story to another level.
There's no point mentioning the songs -Alan Menken is the master of his art. New ones are amazing and tie to the story seamlessly. Which Directing makes sure the whole 128 mins viewing is as colorful and magical and exciting as a magic carpet ride. I know people say just that because it sounds like a tagline but that's exactly what it is: a magical, mind blowing movie just as unexpected as a magic carpet ride would take you right now.