Aladdin

Release Date: November 11, 1992

Watch Date: November 12 – November 13, 2024

“Aladdin, a street-smart commoner, pairs up with clever, confident Princess Jasmine to fight against the evil sorcerer Jafar and foil his plans of taking over the kingdom. Along the way, Aladdin learns to believe in himself…with the help of a comical, shape-shifting Genie whose three wishes can change everything.”

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   “I want to watch Return of Jafar.”

   “Cool. But we haven’t watched Aladdin yet.”

   “I want to watch Aladdin.”

   I don’t know how we’re nearly two years into this and we haven’t watched Aladdin. Bob loves Aladdin. I love Aladdin. Most people love Aladdin. So what were we holding off for? I have no clue.

   This is one of the Disney movies I can find absolutely no fault in. Well…almost no fault in. Just like…a teeny tiny amount of fault. 

   Because here’s the thing, the Genie is an amazing character. He’s comedy. He’s the plot. The heart of the story. He’s played by Robin Williams. And he’s not all that fleshed out. And that’s not a bad thing because there’s no time or reason to do so in this film – but here’s why it’s weird. 

   The Genie is a major Disney character. He’s used in a lot of promotional material. He’s used in the parks. When people think Aladdin they think of The Genie first. His characterization in the musical is the main reason people go. How he was going to be portrayed in the live action remake was a hotly debated issue. So when you see him in the movies and scenes are more centered around Aladdin and Jafar and Jasmine it feels kind of lackluster. Because it’s The Genie’s movie!

   But it wasn’t supposed to be, and Robin Williams was really disappointed that it was. At least from what I’ve heard, and I’ve heard it so much without doing any research on it’s probably fact. (Feel free at this point to correct me.) And if you don’t focus on the Genie, these characters are good, the animation is fantastic, the songs are all now Disney classics. But no one cares. No one remembers, not really. We remember the Genie.

   Also the CGI for The Cave of Wonders sometimes feels a little…off. It’s not the worst, and I like how it breathes in the first scene it’s in, but on occasion it’s noticeable, which you definitely do not want it to be – such as during the attempted escape from The Cave of Wonders. 

   Ultimately, Aladdin is worth the recognition it gets, and it should probably be worth a whole lot more. Who doesn’t want some ne’er do well street rat with a heart of gold to sweep us off our feet after wishing only for our love (and arguably all the money and power that comes with our marriage but let’s not look too closely at that), and who doesn’t want a big blue Genie to be your best friend?

   Honestly, I mostly wanted a pet tiger…