A very pretty set. Little substance.

Rating: 5/10 (28 May 2019)

Although, the movie isn't as bad as Beauty and The Beast (2017) it still holds being eye catching but kinda pointless and bland. I do think the build up to the death of Jasmine's mother, her being mixed-race, her being Sultan, Will Smith's performance are pretty good and interesting ideas but the whole play out very.. nothing.
Like mentioned in Chris Stuckmann's review, I agree that the problem with the set is that it is too pretty and detailed to interact with it's setting. I would've liked to feel the sandy and grittiness of the poverty shown. Aladdin and Jasmine's performances were honestly the least enjoyable. I did like the choreography Mena Massoud offers in the remake's version of "One Jump Ahead" and I did chuckle at Naomi Scott's reaction to the balcony scene and Jasmine joining in running from the guards, I even liked the song "Speechless" however, I don't really like most of the display of Jasmine in the movie.
When watching her in this, the passion and loveable sassy quips we got with the original Jasmine felt sucked out with Jasmine being displayed as very blank faced and not having many reactions. Even though I like the song 'Speechless', it didn't feel like an earned song and it felt kinda out of left field.
And similar issues with Aladdin, since there would be moments I couldn't feel the sly character he's supposed to be. He looked really awkward in this version's "Prince Ali" and even in his scene of meeting Jasmine in the market.
But, I think the worst is Jafar. I have a feeling why they made him the younger in the movie was to push the marriage/love interest conflict here without the creepy knowledge of the original Jafar being possibly in his 40's or 50's and seeking a 15 year old girl romantically, I get that but with this Jafar, the story and potential that could be used felt awkward with his acting in this. He tried to sound diabolocal but I thought it was wonky.
I think Will Smith was fine in the movie, he made the movie more enjoyable when viewing and when he was off, it often got boring. I do have a bit of a problem with Dalia, since she doesn't have much drive to be there and when she was on screen she seemed so awkwardly placed into it. I guess the Genie having a love interest and them paralleling as Aladdin and Jasmine's "right-hand" is cute but it doesn't really have substance for me to like it.
I would rate it a five out of ten. I will say, would recommend this more than Beauty and The Beast though, but don't come in too hopeful.