Last night, I had the ultimate pleasure of seeing an advanced screening of Disney’s Aladdin. I have to say that this film met its hype and exceeded my expectations.
I anticipated the film to be nearly identical to the original with only a few variations. However, the storyline differed from the first. The writers changed the entire flow of what and how things happened, providing plenty of unexpected twists. It gave you a chance to see a new story unfold but with the familiar outcome that you’ve always known and loved. The new Aladdin had surprising, suspenseful twists, while still meeting the high standards of the original in its own right.
But let’s get into specifics of the film, shall we?
What’s new?
As mentioned earlier, there were a ton of new and hilarious scenes that helped tell a different story. I thought they elevated the original plot and gave viewers a new sense of excitement. Also, the additional characters complimented the main cast perfectly. They were a pleasure to watch because they matched the caliber of the main cast.
Who played Aladdin and did he live up to the role?
Mena Massoud was the right man for the role. He embraced the life of the street rat to perfection and really seemed confident in how he’d steal and interact with other characters. At the end of the film, I heard the roars of the crowd in response to his stellar performance (as we in Toronto watched our hometown boy do us proud on the big screen).
He looked so good when he smiled, and his adorable awkwardness made him insanely likable. Plus, his singing and dancing equally matched his bravery, courage, and quick thinking.
Was the music still in it?
Yes, the musical numbers we all know and love were still in the film. However, some songs like “Arabian Nights,” for example, began the same way but transformed into a slightly newer version with additional lyrics. Other fan favourites had a modern and almost Bollywood meets hip-hop twist with a brass band. They also added a few new songs, including “Speechless,” which Naomi Scott performed as Princess Jasmine. This was the female anthem we didn’t know we needed. Again, every song was a magical blend of the old and new.
The actors delivered powerful vocal performances. Mena Massoud’s vocal chops were surprisingly stunning. While he sung a little differently from the original Aladdin, he made the performance his own. Will Smith’s vocals could’ve been more expressive in energetic songs such as “Prince Ali.” It didn’t quite match his character throughout the rest of the film, so this dulled down that scene a bit. But you bet your lamps I was still singing along in my seat!
How did Will Smith do as Genie?
This was the biggest question from fans of Aladdin. Could the directors find someone to fulfill this iconic role and live up to the legendary Robin Williams? With his acting and interpretation, Will Smith proved to be the right choice. The character was still as energetic, sporadic, and hilarious as ever, and very true to the original. Will Smith added his own flair to it, and his interpretation of the beloved Genie still made you laugh. He made the role his own, and you could see how much fun he had. Plus, the man can sing!
The role of Genie was a big lamp to fill and Will Smith did it justice. I’d like to think that Williams is smiling from heaven with pride, knowing that the legacy of his beloved character lives on, bringing joy to a new generation of children.
What I didn’t like
Honestly, there wasn’t much to dislike because I loved this adaptation. However, the performance of Jafar could have been better. In the animated film, he was vile, manipulative, and coy. Whereas, Marwan Kenzari’s performance as the sorcerer was very lackluster and dull. He only seemed heated and power-hungry, but nothing else. I’d say he was the weakest actor of the cast. Heck, even the magic carpet had a greater performance.
Additionally, I didn’t like how Iago, Jafar’s parrot, didn’t have a big role like he did in the original. In this adaptation, he barely existed in the few scenes he appeared in.
Overall feelings?
This film provided a fabulous new interpretation while also staying true to the original. Usually, this isn’t in the remake’s favour, but it actually worked in this film. Plus, they added many references in the form of Disney’s hidden Easter eggs to the original for fans to spot out. I also loved the attention to detail, including references to Arabic culture in the surprise dance sequences, outfits, family roles, and casting. The directors filmed this in Jordan, and they actually created an identical set to what villages look like in the country. I also appreciated the slight Bollywood vibes, and this added another cultural layer, which wasn’t as strong in the original.
I really enjoyed the version they made and Disney’s decision to remake this classic didn’t disappoint me at all. It was definitely a diamond in the rough!
If you are ready to enter a whole new world on an endless magic carpet ride, you can see Aladdin when it soars into theaters on May 24th. Be sure to check your local listings! This is one movie you need to see in theatres to get the best experience.
Feature image via Disney Movie Trailer for Aladdin
