Aladdin (2019)

Poster source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6139732/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Director: Guy Ritchie

The Cast:

Will Smith – Genie/Mariner

Mena Massoud – Aladdin

Naomi Scott – Princess Jasmine

Marwan Kenzari – Jafar

Navid Negahban – Sultan

Nasim Pedrad – Dalia

Numan Acar – Hakim

Billy Magnussen – Prince Anders

Certificate: PG

Released in UK cinemas: 22^nd May 2019

The Plot:

In the city of Agrabah, Aladdin (Massoud, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan) is the kind street-urchin with big dreams. He has fallen for Princess Jasmine (Scott, Power Rangers 2017) who is expected to marry a prince. What her father doesn't want to hear is that she would rather be the next Sultan, husband or no husband. Meanwhile, Jafar (Kenzari, Murder on the Orient Express 2017) is the Royal Vizier with ambitions too high for a man in his position; he tricks Aladdin into retrieving a magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders. Aladdin releases the Genie (Smith, Suicide Squad), who grants Aladdin three wishes, starting with becoming a prince to win the heart of Princess Jasmine.

The Review:

The film begins by surveying a ship sailing on a sea. There is a husband, a wife and two adorable kids. But wait, is that Will Smith? It is! So, that's the Genie? Apparently he's capable of having children. Alrighty then. Don't expect any further detail on that, though. The pacing of this Aladdin is all over the place. Introductions to main characters happen within the opening credits; it feels incredibly rushed when it needs to slow down, but often drags on when it is not required. The Genie (more on him later) takes his sweet time discussing the specifics of wishes, and the film relies too heavily on what we have already seen...which doesn't seem fair as the comparisons are now being rammed down the audience's throat.

Out of all the settings, the Cave is the most disappointing; it is flat,

like a set-piece from an abandoned Disney attraction. Once inside, the Cave is dull, blurry, and the full scene is one giant plot-hole. Also, why did the powers that be decide to scrap the lava-spewing escape-attempt? That would have been awesome, if done well. Trouble is, most of the CGI in this version is utterly terrible. In his blue form, the Genie can't seem to make proper eye-contact with Aladdin and his giant neck is terribly, weirdly distracting. Of course Smith wanted to make this Genie his own, because the late, great Robin Williams' performance is just that great. But Smith's Genie is not particularly likeable, even a little manipulative, and while it does make sense, it's not a welcome change.

Massoud's parkour skills are thrilling, and his attempts to pass off as a suave prince are incredibly awkward (I wanna try yam jam!). But is his overall performance memorable? Not really. Also I miss Abu's cynical personality. What I must state is the chemistry between Massoud and Scott is utterly non-existent. Moreover, 'A Whole New World' is almost too tedious to watch. You read that right: one of the most iconic songs Disney has ever provided us with is a forgettable CGI mess. The same is said for all of the songs. They are a good attempt, but the film seems embarrassed that it is a musical. As a fairly avid fan of Guy Ritchie's work, I can safely say he has never directed a musical before, and it shows. Why didn't they consult with a Bollywood director who is used to staging flamboyant scenes, like 'A Friend Like Me' and 'Prince Ali' could have been?  Also, a beat-boxing Genie? Just as cringe-worthy as it sounds.

An unexpected positive note is having the Genie fall in love with Jasmine's hand-maid. I know what you're thinking, and yes, Jasmine didn't have a hand-maid before – but Dalia's lack of back-story is too intriguing. The problem is that Guy Ritchie and John August just can't bear to divert from the original story. 

We want to be surprised! We want to see something new, and Scott's Princess Jasmine dares to go where the original did not. Her performance is bold, as not only does Jasmine want to marry for love, but she wants to be Sultan now, too. This is the kind of Disney princess little girls will aspire to be, and that's wonderful. Her new song, 'Speechless' is a spine-tingling addition to the score, which ties up Jasmine's feminist frustration with a big bow - although the effects used in its reprise are a little startling, as people disappear in puffs of smoke around her. I did not come to this film to relive the horrors of Avengers Infinity War, ta very much.

But what about Jafar, I hear you cry? Despite a hint of back-story reminiscent of Petyr Baelish's climb up the chaos ladder, Kenzari's performance lacks any kind of charisma. In addition, giving Iago the parrot less of a personality might be a welcome change for some, but it made Jafar all the more boring to watch. Their strange, funny relationship was one of things I particularly enjoyed in the animated film.

Yes, I know. A Disney fan hates yet another sub-par version of a beloved film; big surprise. But why are they doing this, other than to cash in on people's curiosity and cynicism? The Lion King is coming out soon and, yes, I'm probably going to watch it for both these reasons. But there is still a sliver of hope that this version will be as good as its predecessor.

Aladdin (2019), though? Nowhere close.

Verdict: ** 2 STARS OUT OF 5