Not perfect - but much better than expected.

Rating: 8/10 (24 May 2019)

Look - we all know the backlash that this movie received when the first teaser trailer dropped a few months ago. People were terribly confused about the production (or lack of) shown in the brief glimpse. I'll admit, I was terribly worried and was not planning on seeing it in its opening weekend. However, I am so glad I did! Now, this is not the animated Aladdin, in fact, it is much different! There several welcome changes to the animated Disney classic.
There were 4 shining stars throughout the film.
1. Naomi Scott - WOW! What a fantastic performance as Princess Jasmine - she proved to handle the role with grace, but also a toughness that the animated Jasmine simply did not demonstrate.
2. Mena Massoud - at first, I was not feeling his performance of Aladdin, but once he met Genie, I was sold. He has the look and the personality down perfectly.
3. WILL SMITH - Like everyone, I was mortified when the first look at Genie came out, he looked awful. There was some concern he would let down the role made so famous by Robin Williams, but he excels in it! At no point does the Fresh Prince attempt to be Robin Williams, he makes the Genie his own, and it is spectacular.
4. The Music - the new arrangements of classic songs, plus the addition of new ones made this movie feel fresh.
The movie is by no means perfect. At times the CGI looks weak, and some of the performances are uneven. All that considered, I do believe this is the best live-action remake Disney has put together yet!