"Aladdin" Review: A Rich, Dazzling World Worth Visiting

Cinephiles all around the world would agree that Aladdin (1992) is one of the best animated movies to have ever come out of the stable of Hollywood. Almost three decades later, Walt Disney Pictures releases the live-action remake of the much-loved movie with Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Marwan Kenzari fronting the lead cast. Let’s find out whether or not the big-ticket Hollywood offering meets your colossal expectations.

Aladdin Review: Story

Aladdin, as we all know, is a modern-day retelling of a story from an Arabian folktale One Thousand and One Nights. Aladdin (Mena Massoud), who lost his parents at an early age, encounters the Princess of Agrabah Jasmine (Naomi Scott) in the local market and loses his heart to her.

Jasmine falls for him, too, but she has bigger duties to fulfill. She wants to succeed her ailing father and serve her people. But the male-dominated hierarchy of Agrabah does not allow her to do so. Villainous vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), on the other hand, has his own evil plans to dethrone the king and usurp the kingdom. Soon, Aladdin finds a magic lamp containing a half-naked blue-hued Genie (Will Smith), who can grant three wishes. What happens next forms the crux of the story.

Aladdin Review: Performance Analysis

There is no doubt that Walt Disney Pictures has got some brilliant actors onboard to play the lead characters. It is the flesh-and-blood actors who make Aladdin hugely different from the animated offering. And then, of course, there are grand sets, great songs, and flawless CGI to enhance the overall experience.

Mena Massoud as Aladdin is good and plays his part with honesty. Since the film revolves around his character, we spend a lot of time with him on the screen. Though the Canadian actor is extremely agile when it comes to jumping from one building to another and showing some jaw-dropping acrobatics, he struggles frequently with emotional scenes. In a nutshell, he could be the guy you can have a crush on, but not the one you would like to take home and introduce to your parents.

The live action version of Aladdin has a perfectly written role for Jasmine, which has got more length and meat than the animated one. Naomi Scott makes most of the opportunity and delivers a compelling performance, ensuring that the film belongs as much to her as it does to Mena Massoud, who plays the title character. Scott succeeds and how! There is honesty in her performance that you just cannot ignore. The actress looks gorgeous in every frame.

Talking about beloved Genie, the character has been played brilliantly by immensely talented Will Smith. The actor has got some of the best lines in the movie, and with his terrific coming timing, he just nails his character. Will Smith has stepped into the mighty shoes of Robin Williams, who was the voice of Genie in the animated version. Instead of copying Williams, Smith adds his own personality to the character and that is the best thing about it.

Marwan Kenzari as vizier Zafar gets an underwritten role to play. He is handicapped by the one-dimensional character and hence fails to leave any mark. Barring a few scenes, his talent his enormously wasted.

Aladdin Review: Script, Direction & Other Technical Aspects

Well, there is nothing new in the story of the film as it is a retelling of an already classic tale. When you are dealing with a subject which is kind of sacrosanct, it is better not to play with its soul. Director Guy Ritchie does that quite smartly. The kind of treatment that he gives to the film is what makes Aladdin a worth watch. There are huge sets, eye-popping visuals and dazzling grandeur in every frame. Ritchie does not tease the animated version much story-wise. He plays with technical aspects and ensures that whenever anyone leaves the theatre, he must feel satiated with what he just saw on the screen.

The cinematography of the film is brilliant and so is its music. The film has been edited well. Background music makes Aladdin a fluid watch. Brilliantly choreographed colorful dance and action sequences are a feast to your eyes.

Final Verdict: Aladdin is a must watch affair. Even if you have seen the 1992 animated version of it, there is plenty of magic and grandeur to sit back and soak in. If you have not watched the previous version, that is even better because then you can keep yourself away from the hassle of comparing both the movies. I am going with 4 stars.

Banner: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, etc.
Length: 128 Minutes
STARBIZ Rating: 4/5

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