DISNEY'S ALADDIN

 

A street rat named Aladdin finds a Magic Lamp that summons a powerful Genie that gives him three wishes. After falling in love with a Princess he met, he decides to use his wishes to win her heart. However, the Sultan's Royal Vizier Jafar, seeks the Lamp and plans to use it so he can become powerful and rule the world.



I'm going to say this about Aladdin, out of all animated Disney heroes, he is by far the best. He's smart, he's clever, he's likable, he's funny, he cares for people and he's relatable. Those are great characteristics for a leading male, especially in a Disney film. I know there are other good ones in the past, such as Tramp, Basil, Robin Hood and Peter Pan; but Aladdin takes the spotlight from all the other previous heroes even the heroes that followed after this film. While also being very smart and caring, he also learns an important message in life (Which is also the films moral) be yourself and don't try to be someone you're not. Oh, and the fact that Aladdin is voiced by Scott Weinger from "Full House" (Whether you like the show or not) is really cool.

The love interest Princess Jasmine. I'm really glad that they decided to take this character to the same route as they did with Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" and Belle in "Beauty And The Beast". She's not some princess that sits around, sings about wanting something more, and hopes that "someday her dream prince will come", no she is the exact opposite. She hates being a Princess; turns away every Prince that comes to her; and actually escapes the Palace with no deal, no help, no regrets, or second thoughts. Out of all Disney Princesses aside from being the hottest, she's the toughest. She doesn't take any of that crap that's given to her and she can be very demanding. Alright with that said, she does go back to her world and stays there and she can also be a damsel in distress on maybe 1 or 2 occasions, but at least she proves to be tough and as smart as Aladdin. Speaking of Aladdin, the chemistry between them is great. Yeah, they do become lovers in the three day course, but their love is there and one of the things that makes it work is the two both share the same dream which is wanting something better then being trapped in the world they're in.



Now the Villain, Jafar. Jafar is one of the best Disney villains that Disney's ever created. He carry's nearly everything we enjoy from a Disney villain. He's smart, he's suttle, he's funny, he's threatening, he's scary, he's powerful, he's demanding, he's classy and my goodness is he up there with Maleficent, Frollo and Ursula. He also has a very dark and cool looking design; he keeps altering his appearance; he has great powers; he has villainous henchman along with his talking parrot; and his voice is completely awesome!






All the supporting characters are some of Disney's most comical characters of all time. First, there's Aladdin's sidekick Abu the Monkey, who's not only funny, but is also cute and a major hot head, and all of that combines perfectly with this character. I also love seeing him in his Elephant form as well. Next, there's Aladdin's Magic Carpet and what really amazes me about this character is it doesn't talk nor have a face. Its personality is all expressed in movement which works extremely well. Then we have Jasmine's father the Sultan voiced by Douglas Seale and this character is really enjoyably goofy and dumb, while at the same time having a good heart. Jafar's Parrot voiced by Gilbert Gottfried; out of all Gottfried's acting and voice acting roles, this is not just his greatest performance, but it's also the character we all know him best as with his great comedic timing, hot head personality and Parrot like voice. As for Jasmine's pet Tiger, well Rajah is perhaps a cute character but not too memorable. Out of all characters in this film, the one we all remember the most is the Genie voiced by Robin Williams. What's there not to like or enjoy about this character and performance? He's always over the top; has great comedic timing; has jokes for kids and adults; clever pop culture references that are still funny; great impersonations; a lovable personality; and a character you can feel pity for. This character is not only one of Williams best performances, but it's also (In my opinion) thee best comical side character in all of Disney history that can never be topped! Oh, and Robin Williams performance as the Merchant who opens the story at the beginning is also fun too and indeed sets up the film's tone.



The songs, good god are they all memorable and something you can at least hum too. The song "Arabian Nights" that opens the film is epic, and yes, I am really happy that Disney cut out that unnecessary violent and controversial line in the song. Aladdin's song "One Jump Ahead" is very fun and catchy and does have a beautiful reprise. The Genies songs "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali" are all fun, enjoyable and has some great imagery and jokes during the numbers. The villain's song "Prince Ali Reprise" is very short, but man does the villain really sell out that number. Finally the love song "A Whole New World" is very beautiful, very catchy, very romantic, very magical, and is one of Disney's best.




The thing that really broke ground for Disney is its modern fantasy setting with over the top cartoonish humor and pop cultural references. It didn't just start a new idea for Disney, but I can't think of another 2-D animated Disney film that does it as well as this. The film is also one of those rare adventure Disney films for boys like "Peter Pan" or "The Great Mouse Detective". It has everything boys would love to see in an adventure film such as having great action, a great evil villain, over the top humor, treasure, lava, fantasy adventure like settings, and so on. Personally, I think it's Disney's best adventure film for boys. Not to say there's not plenty of things in the film for girls to enjoy. I just feel like the film was aimed more for a boy audience. As for the animation, it's awesome. Again, I love the modern fantasy setting; I love the use of colors; I love some of the computer animation; I love the visuals for Robin William's humor; and I love the Hidden Disney Easter Eggs that were put in the film.

I really think it's one of Disney's best. The hero is great; the Princess is great; the villain is nasty; the supporting characters are funny; the songs are unforgettable; the animation is epic; the comedic modern fantasy look and style is outstanding; and it has plenty of action. It's really one of Disney's best and defiantly still holds up as a great Disney film!

RATING 5/5