A pretty fun, but uneventful ride down memory lane.

Rating: 7/10 (26 May 2019)

So I saw the new Aladdin at the theater. Honestly my expectations were very high. Aladdin is my favorite Disney movie of all time. While I knew it couldn't live up to the animated classic, all I wanted was a fun ride out of the film. Overall it was a pretty average mixed bag of an experience.
I assume everyone knows the plot of Aladdin at this point. Largely the film remains untouched regarding the major plot points. Of course the film has altered a few small things and added around 30 minutes of content to the original script. Unfortunately I can't say those 30 minutes really added anything at all but length to the movie. There is a surprise fanservice story arc involving Jasmine that many will enjoy however.
The animation and production design of the movie were outstanding. In every way the film and its setting were gorgeous. The movie was bright and vibrant and sure to please children of all ages. The setting and costume design were also very well done and presented a diverse and fun look into a live-action Agrabah City and its inhabitants. The movie was pure eye candy from start to finish.
The musical elements of the film were mostly very well done. It's hard not to compare the song to their original counterparts, but the music was just as catchy as ever. I will say the original songs designed for the movie on the other hand were just very bland. There wasn't a single memorable new song in the film. That is a shame considering how many earworms the original Aladdin had.
Performance-wise I honestly have to say Will Smith stole the show. I was very hesitant initially about his casting. Robin Williams performance was just so memorable. Will Smith pays respect to Robin Williams performance, but definitely makes this his own interpretation of the genie. Most of the other performances were very okay. Nothing terrible, but no other performance really stood out. I will say Marwan Kenzari's interpretation of Jafar was just bad. It lacked any bit of menace and intrigue and just came across as whiny. It is also criminal to not have Gilbert Godfrey play the part of Iago.
Overall the biggest weakness of the film was finding a reason for it to exist. Sure it had its fun moments, but the best aspects of the film were direct copies of the cartoon. Why bother makeing a live action version if it's going to be a near shot-for-shot remake with extra unnecessary padding? I will add the 30 minutes of padding did nothing but slow down the film and add plot points just for fan service. The film was just far too long for the writing to carry. There is some also very cringe-worthy dialogue and humor throughout the movie. Of course kids will love those moments, but for a film based upon my childhood classic I expected more.
Aladdin was not a terrible movie. It wasn't a disaster like Dumbo. It was however a wasted opportunity. It just feels so bland and devoid of the classic Disney Magic. Sure the film had a few strengths, but there's nothing about this film that makes me want to re-watch it over and over again. The original content was bloated and slowed the film down, plus the new music was a bore. It held my entertainment and my two-year-old loved it, but it did not wow me at all. It did however make me want to watch the original Aladdin. A 6.75 out of 10.