Outcast Comments: Aladdin (2019)

So, the other day I took some time to take in Disney’s new live action redux of their classic animated film, Aladdin. It just happened to fit into my schedule, as I had not really planned on seeing it. I thought the trailers looked awful, I was not sold on Will Smith playing the Genie, and I fail to see the point in Disney’s recent fascination with remaking all of their animated properties. So, I was fully expecting to not like it. Well, to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it. It is not perfect, and is little more than trifling entertainment, but I would have no problem recommending it. Now, I am not going to review it, but just wanted to throw out some quick thoughts.

• This was directed by Guy Ritchie? Can honestly say that I was not expecting to see his name up there. He has directed films like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Sherlock Holmes.
• The opening chase sequence really reminded me of the old SNES game.
• I find it curious that the 3 primary players have no accents, while everyone else does.
• I love what they did with Iago, he was a really creepy parrot.
• I did not like this Jafar, he was whiny and bland, when he should have been older and more menacing.

• Princess Jasmine was really quite fetching.
• As soon as Jasmine’s Speechless song began, I had to thoughts. First was where’s Thanos? And second was here’s there Oscar moment.
• Will Smith as the Genie was actually pretty good. He filled the role while not trying to replicate what Robin Williams did. It was a pretty in your face performance as you would expect.
• What was I not expecting with the end credits? To hear DJ Khaled. I could have done without that.
• The CG work on Abu and the Magic Carpet was pretty good, they were both amusing background performances.

• Prince Ali’s dance solo felt a bit too modern for the time.
• The jokes were pretty funny. It was a nice blend of verbal and physical comedy.
• I did like the relationships that developed between Genie, Aladdin, and Jasmine.
• I was honestly surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. It was still quite unnecessary, but I do not regret seeing it.

• It is funny, I find myself questioning why this, or most of these remakes are being done and essentially dismiss them out of hand, when I usually say let remakes prove themselves to be bad and let them be. I was being something of a hypocrite. I regret that.
• This was way better than the Beauty and the Beast live action.
• This Aladdin, much like the animation, is loud, brash, and too lively to not entertain. Your mileage, however, may vary.

Recommended.