High School Musical meets the Arabian Nights

Rating: 5/10 (11 November 2019)

I note that a number of other reviewers have labelled this movie as nothing more than a blatant cash grab. To be honest, after watching it, I have to agree that making a quick buck was probably a higher priority for the film makers than bringing anything new to the story of Aladdin. This movie certainly does not bring anything new to the story, other than the curiosity value of seeing how the animated effects are realised in a live action movie. The CGI boffins don't do a bad job as far as that goes either. Will Smith leads a cast full of actors of whom I have never heard. It's hard to think of another actor who could have been better in the role of the genie. The rest of the cast are passable without being outstanding. For me, this movie with its poppy but forgettable songs and pretty but bland actors had more in common with High School Movie and other teen Disney movie musicals than it had with Eastern folklore. The main actors do nothing to disguise the fact that this is a very American movie (even though they themselves are not all Americans). If you enjoyed those aforementioned movies then you will enjoy this too. If you loved DIsney's animated version of Aladdin (with Robin Williams as the genie) then you will either love this or hate it. For me it gets a solid 'meh'.