Fantastic Live Adaptation of a Disney Animated Classic

Rating: 8/10 (13 August 2019)

I honestly wanted to hate this movie. I didn't want to give it a chance after the photos of Will Smith as Genie leaked. I thought it was going to be completely ridiculous. Well, I was wrong. This is yet another solid live screen adaptation to a Disney animated classic. Guy Ritchie did a fantastic job directing a multi-cultural cast of actors and actresses full-filling the roles of the main characters. As someone of Arabic descent who grew up reading One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, a collection of old Arab folk tales which included the story of Aladdin, I highly appreciated the fact that Disney did not "white cast" this movie and instead sought out a collection of multi-talented Arab, Indian, and Persian actors. The big question everyone has been asking is if Will Smith was able to fill the shoes of the late great Robin Williams. Well, while Robin Williams lent his voice to the role of Genie, Smith went beyond the voice acting. He was spectacular in his role as the Genie of the lamp, and mentor/guide to Aladdin and led his experience as a singer/dancer, comedian, and actor to the role. He took the silly mannerisms and comedic elements of Williams' Genie and infused them with what we've all come to know and love of The Fresh Prince, to bring the role of Genie to life. Overall this was a fantastic film. If you're a fan of Disney musicals, which have not been present for a number of years, you'll truly enjoy this film. It is one of the best versions of Aladdin, full of magical wonderment. It's colorful, entertaining, and absolutely beautiful. This is the first time that you will see the setting of Agraba. Overall, a standing ovation of Guy Ritchie, his cast, and his production team. Well done.