Disney Aladdin Film Review - Guy Ritchie Directs Will Smith As The Fresh Prince Of Bazaar In A Whole New World - It's Quite A Ride

Rating: 10/10 (12 June 2019)

Hands up I've never seen the Aladdin animated Disney film, know none of the songs, except A Whole New World, and haven't seen Robin Williams as the genie. But everyone knows the story of Aladdin and Guy Ritchie's new live action offering was fresh and vibrant and oh so colourful. So gather round children and listen to the story invites Will Smith, in a clever opening segue from Disney.
Some critics are seething with indignation that Disney are making money by turning their beloved animated films into live action fun for all the family films. And for today's woke generation Disney are also using actors with dark skin to play characters historically famous for being dark skinned. And women want to make their own rules. not live within those dictated by men. What's not to love about this?
We can almost smell the scents of Agrabah as the spice traders set up their stalls and the market is filled with fresh produce. And in the middle of this Arabian fantasy is Aladdin, played by Mena Massoud, and his partner in crime Abu. Any relation to Marcel the monkey? Streetwise Aladdin knows a little about running a hustle and helps out Naomi Scott's Dalia, a handmaiden to Princess Jasmine, who has given street kids food from a trader's stall. With no money to pay for them. Employing his trademark frantic chase and parkour action, Guy Ritchie keeps the story moving along as Aladdin and Dalia swing by to Aladdin's crib, where naughty Abu steals Dalia's bracelet, and she leaves thinking Aladdin is just a common thief.
But after this first meeting Aladdin is in love.
And meanwhile out in the desert at the Cave of Wonders a diamond in the rough finds out he was just another cubic zirconia, as the ceiling crashes down around him. And Marwan Kenzari's unlucky Jafar, Advisor to the Sultan, must find another. For there is a lamp to be found and a kingdom to be stolen.
Back in the palace Dalia who is really Princess Jasmine, meets her new royal suitor, Prince Anders played by Billy Magnussen, the token white guy, and royally hamming it up. Loved him in Game Night. But Jasmine is not impressed. Instead telling her handmaid Dalia about the guy she met in the street. The only way for Jasmine to escape the palace and see what life is like for her people is to disguise herself among them. And into this case of mistaken identities lands Aladdin with the bracelet. And a pot of tea. Nasim Pedrad as the real Dalia plays along as Princess Jasmine. He's cute, and Jasmine's tiger Rajah seems to like him. I likened Nasim's portrayal of Dalia to Rosie O'Donnell's Becky in Sleepless In Seattle with her quick one liners. Very funny.
But watching Aladdin from afar, Jafar's parrot Iago thinks he might have found a diamond. And Jafar steals Aladdin away to the Cave of Wonders.
What an amazing place it is, CGI'd to within an inch of its life, with incredible piles of gold and jewels as big as Abu's head, and a magic carpet. But once allowed into the magical cave, for Aladdin is the real diamond in the rough, he is told only to take the lamp. Little Abu however couldn't resist the shiny ruby and the cave crashes around them. Jafar promises to help Aladdin out of the cave if he first passes him the lamp, as only a villain would say, but with sleight of hand Aladdin keeps the lamp as he crashes to the ground.
So let's recap where we are, we have a thieving monkey, a magic carpet and a lamp in a cave. And maybe mimes the magic carpet, if we rub the lamp we might get out of here. And boom. The genie is out of the bottle with his three wishes. Will Smith is the Man in Blue with a song and dance routine he has been practising for a thousand years. Being the Master will take Aladdin some time to get used to. But Genie is very helpful with his guidance. And maybe the first wish is we get out of the cave. Although Aladdin's second wish to be a Prince gives Genie far more scope to shine. But be specific with your wishes, and of course you cannot ask for three more wishes. Our Aladdin is a quick learner.
And what a Prince Aladdin becomes, with genie magic hiding his true identity. Bringing riches to the palace, with a Disney razzle dazzle spectacle of an entrance, and lots of jam. To buy the princess. Okay so that didn't go well.
Jasmine and Dalia are a great double act to the new would be suitors, both looking for something else in their lives, with Genie as Aladdin's wingman and still two wishes left. Trying again Aladdin takes Jasmine on the centrepiece Whole New World magic carpet ride, it's slightly sandy to be honest, while Genie woos Dalia. And surely everyone can end up happy. But who could love a street rat and a genie?
And suspicious of this new Prince from an unknown land, Jafar is not easily beaten, and employs all his cunning to try to trick Aladdin, steal the lamp and become Sultan. And yes he's 'that guy' realises Genie who sees another lifetime locked up in the lamp. And Jasmine for all her royal privileges is expected to marry a prince who will become Sultan when her father dies, instead of her, when she knows so much more about her own kingdom. And could rule better. And poor Aladdin will be poor Aladdin again, if the princess finds out he isn't a prince.
If only there could be a Happy Ending.
With stunning costumes by Michael Wilkinson and Production Design by Gemma Jackson, Aladdin is a kaleidoscope of colour. To be honest I couldn't hum any of the tunes afterwards, other than A Whole New World, sorry to Alan Menken, but they worked in the film with the lively Bollywood style song and dance. As a theatrical event the film was terrific. Wonder how it compares to the stage show. And a big thumbs up to Guy Richie who managed to create the magic, with lots of action and laughs, and a talented cast who radiated such fun.
I enjoyed it very much and I'm already looking forward to Lion King. And dare the critics to find fault with it.