Aladdin (1992)

No question Robin Williams delivers in a trademark role here as the wise cracking, ad-libbing Blue Genie, but I also got a kick out of Gilbert Gottfried's voice work for Iago the Parrot. And that's saying something, because otherwise, in a take it or leave it situation with Gottfried, I'd always leave it. The story is classic Disney, colorful and song filled, with an interesting balance of villains and heroes. The back and forth with the magic lamp gets a little played out after a while, but I thought the ending had an ironic twist with Sorceror Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) wishing to be the most powerful genie in the world. In effect, he got double whammied by the law of unintended consequences and a severe lesson in 'be careful what you wish for'.

I'd heard about this film after seeing Beauty and the Beast, and this, along with that aforementioned film, are my runners-up for my favorite Disney films. The top winners (in my opinion) are Mulan, The Lion King, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Not only do we get Robin Williams (in one of his best roles along with Mrs. Doubtfire), Gilbert Gottfried (this movie was the first time I'd heard of him), Scott Weinger (Candace Cameron's TV boyfriend from Full House); we also get voice veterans Jim Cummings (of the many 1990s cartoons) and Frank Welker (G1 Megatron).I did not pay much attention to the Middle East before this film and even though there is some misinformation involved, it's still a somewhat accurate portrayal of the old days in that part of the world. The original Aladdin story took place in Western China (which I later learned has a large Muslim population) but that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the film. But hey, if you want a dose of the 1990s era of Disney this is one of the best. Take a good, long look.

Aladdin is about a young Middle Eastern homeless guy living on the dusty streets of Agrabah. Aladdin, the main character, owns a monkey named Abu. Early in the movie, he, by chance, ends up meeting the princess, Jasmine, who is in disguise because she wants to get out of the palace where she lives and experience life on the outside in the real world. She doesn't like it in the palace because it is confining and she is not able to make her own choices. For example, she must find a husband by her next birthday per the local law. While they are hanging out, Aladdin is arrested for stealing bread from earlier. He is taken to the dungeon. Her pleas to let him go fall on empty ears because the palace guards are under the orders of Jafar, an evil sorcerer who works for the King, Jasmine's father. They do not disclose to him or to her whether they are there specifically to arrest him. Later, while Aladdin is in shackles, Jafar sneaks into his cell disguised as an old peasant donning a gold tooth and hobbling around on a wooden cane that looks like a giant corkscrew. In exchange for Aladdin's assistance in finding treasure, this magic lamp, Jafar says that he will help Aladdin escape. He begrudgingly agrees. What else is he supposed to do?! Aladdin goes with the disguised Jafar to Cave of Wonders where, inside, he finds the lamp. Find out what Aladdin does with his 3 wishes and how he tries to win over the princess's heart.

This is a great movie that I saw yesterday. Here's what I thought about what:Story: Great and well-built. Superior action and romance. But speaking of romance, Aladdin and Jasmine fall in rather fast. They interact in public, then share some alone time. In that alone time, they seriously have minutes with each other and then are about to kiss. The movie that came before this was Beauty and the Beast, where Belle and the Beast know each other for several days to weeks (based on Maurice's journeying from and to the castle). So, are we going back to Snow White, where Snow White and the prince also fell in love in minutes? The action, such as Jafar turning into a snake, was superior, but one more thing--this is a great story and movie, but it doesn't have much Disney magic. The ending and the carpet ride are definitely magical and give me a good feeling of Disney magic, but the rest of the movie just doesn't. Humor: Fabulous! One thing I love about this is that though this clearly takes place hundreds and hundreds of years ago is that there's some modern things in it, such as flashing lights. The opening scene is brilliant.Characters: They're all incredibly unique and likable. I love how creative and smart Aladdin is and that he fights by wits, not muscles. Jasmine is a very headstrong, yet kind and likable, character. Of course, the Genie is one of the best sidekicks ever! He has such a great personality and is a friend you'd just want to know. And about Jafar...well, he is now one of my favorite Disney villains. Though he is giving his evil laugh and shouting near the end, I like how calm he can be, and that he is one of the few villains that has patience. The Sultan, however, was another typical Disney dad that has white hair, is short, and is silly. Iago can make you laugh, but he's also very annoying. Songs and singing: "A Whole New World" is one of the best Disney songs ever. Lea Salogna and Brad Kane have wonderful voices. The other songs, though..."Prince Ali" reminded me of "Be Our Guest," so it didn't seem that original. "One Jump Ahead" has a purpose of being in the movie, but I somehow think it was pulled off the wrong way. Jafar's "Prince Ali" reprise is great, and so is the Genie's song, but the latter is a bit too fast. I couldn't understand what Robin Williams was saying for half of it.Art and animation: Jasmine and her tiger Rajah seemed to be spot-on, as well as the Genie and Sultan, but there was something about Aladdin, especially his face shape, that I didn't get. Something looked wrong, and Jafar's face shape was way too thin. Though Disney animated movies are cartoons, they still have people in them, and we need to be able to see the cartoons as people. Snow White, the Evil Queen, and the Prince were 2D but had realistic eyes and face shapes and looked almost real. Here, things are a bit exaggerated. The backgrounds were excellent.So, in the end, this is a great hand-drawn movie with an excellent plot and lovable characters...along with a super quick romance, little Disney magic, and not many appealing songs. The movie truly is excellent, but for me, it's just not the sort I watch one day and have to the next.