Disney Continues to Impress Where They Shouldn't

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2019)

Everyone knows on paper these live action remakes are a bad idea. After all, if people love something, why remake it? Reboots are one thing, because more often than not, they allow for different interpretations of the stories. These remakes tell the same stories, with the same characters, with the same pacing... most of the time. And yet, with every release, Disney seems to prove that somehow, they have a winning formula.
Take Aladdin, for example. Came out in 1992 and was awesome. Everyone loved the style, the music, Robin Williams, etc. Nothing further necessary, right? Well, we did get two VHS sequels and a cartoon, but it still remains a classic. Well, on the heels of a slew of Disney remakes, Aladdin this year may be one of their best.
Like usual, there are things that the original did better, and there are things that the remake improved on. Aladdin and Genie are both equally good in both, but Jafar is nowhere near creepy and intimidating enough in the remake to surpass his animated counterpart. To give credit to Marwan Kenzari, he does fine with the role, and I actually bought him being the villain by the end. But it just felt like something was missing.
I do feel that the royal family is better this time around. The sultan isn't nearly the buffoon he was in the original, but he does still have his moments of weakness against Jafar. Jasmine is played very, *very* well by Naomi Scott, and her plot goes from wanting to see more to wanting to be more. It can be a little on the nose, but it works to the film's credit for the most part.
Will Smith is undoubtedly the best part of this film as Genie. He owns the role and makes it his own, without ever coming across as trying to take over Robin Williams' legacy with the character. He does fantastic, and I'm glad we gave him a chance in the role.
Overall, Aladdin is great. Not perfect, mind you. But it's very enjoyable, and does a great job establishing merit for these remakes. Hopefully the momentum continues, especially with The Lion King.