So many moments hit, so many missed

Rating: 6/10 (31 May 2019)

First off, I enjoyed this film. It's 100% worth it for anyone who loves the original and kids will be entertained.
BUT, the gimmicks are hit or miss. Some of the callbacks to the original are perfection, some just fall flat, and some are unnatural to this movie. For example, Raja roaring at the Prince is perfect, most of Friend Like Me fell flat, and Iago being pulled into the lamp felt unnatural. I would have honesty preferred a non-musical simply because the original is so iconic, and the Genie so much Robin Williams, the songs mostly don't feel right. Don't get me wrong, Will Smith is wonderful! I deeply enjoyed the parts that he made his own and the parts that were written for him. But most of what was called back to Robin just don't work for this Genie. The characterization they gave Genie is wonderful as well! I like that he has a story all his own now.
Carpet is still a mcguffin, but with less personality. Raja and Iago too, Raja being more realistic and Iago being Jafar's trained pet as opposed to a sentient being. The final battle could have been so much better. We know the outcome, you have to wow us with the path. The studio didn't do that.
It's watchable, it's sentimental, it's enjoyable. I had hoped it was spectacular...