Movie Breakdown: Aladdin

Pre-Screening Stance:

I get why Tim Burton took a crack at Dumbo (2019), and I also get why Jon Favreau directed The Lion King (2019), but I have no idea why Guy Ritchie did Aladdin (2019).  What a weird fit.  On another note, Disney is really churning out these live adaptations now.  Can’t believe there are three this year!

Post-Screening Ramble:

Once Guy Ricthie’s Aladdin has been tumbling along a bit, there’s a scene where the Genie (Will Smith) asks someone “How’s this going?” and they quickly note that “It’s clumsy, but charming.”  This response can also be applied to the rest of the movie, which is an overall enjoyable ride but not without a variety of faults.  I liked that the story is more fleshed out than the animated version – this isn’t just largely the tale of Aladdin (Mena Massoud) again, Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and the Genie get a lot of screen time.  Jasmine is much more empowered here, which is great to see, but it also comes with two very cringe-worthy pop ballads and occasional asides with her handmaiden that give the film a goofy rom-com vibe.  Will Smith’s Genie is not nearly as iconic as Robin Williams’, but he does well to pay homage to that performance while putting his own spin on it.  Some of it works, and then some of it feels too forced, especially the completely out of place hip hop parts that his musical numbers feature.  Not to mention that blue Will Smith features dodgy CG and I found his eyes on close-up shots to be particularly bothersome.  In any case, even with these issues and other oddball ones (like strangely sped up dancing or running), it all still works.  Massoud plays Aladdin well, Marwan Kenzari is a solid Jafar, the film is surprisingly funny, and there’s enough new things mixed in with the familiar bits to make the movie feel worthy of a live adaptation.

Here’s the deal, this new version of Aladdin is a weirdly manic movie.  Some of it you’re going to really like, and other parts will make you want to audibly scoff.  I’ll say this about it though, Guy Ritchie just goes for it and really swings for the fences, and I think that his vibrant creation deserves to be seen at a theater.  Seek it out.

One Last Thought:

Right when the credits hit the screen, an atrocious “DJ KHALED” scream beams out and then Will Smith starts rapping.  I highly advise that you run out of the theater before this happens.  Also, please share this info with those seated next to you.