Directed by:
Guy RitchieCinematography:
Alan StewartComposer:
Alan MenkenCast:
Mena Massoud, Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Billy Magnussen, Nasim Pedrad, Numan Acar, Alan Tudyk, Frank Welker, Jordan A. Nash (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
A street rat frees a genie from a lamp, granting all of his wishes and transforming himself into a charming prince in order to marry a beautiful princess. But soon, an evil sorcerer becomes hell-bent on securing the lamp for his own sinister purposes. (Disney / Buena Vista)
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Reviews (11)
Aladdin lags behind the animated version in many ways, but even so, watching the film is mostly a pleasant experience, particularly thanks to the expensive and colour-rich spectacular expedition with a slightly inconsistent concept, influenced by just about everything. The film’s Arabic elements are joined by Bollywood influences (including a dance number at the end) and the aesthetics of Brazilian carnivals. Unfortunately, the film also has breakdance and beatboxing. In terms of plot, it is not an exact copy, as several passages and two new songs have been added, and in some scenes their order has been reversed and their content changed (sometimes for the better, sometimes worse). Will Smith manages to be playful, funny and touching in the role of the Genie. Compared to Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott in the roles of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine have a more difficult time gaining audience sympathy, and with his leather expression and lack of charisma, Marwan Kenzari is downright tragic as the villain in the role of the Sultan's advisor, Jafar.
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The thief Aladdin would like to seduce the princess, but ends up in the hands of the villain Jafar, who wants to use him to bring him a magic lamp. But Aladdin discovers a Genie living in the lamp who grants him three wishes, and he decides to pursue the princess with his help. But Jafar doesn't give up... Guy Ritchie directs a brisk and visually arresting family fairy tale that brilliantly combines humour, suspense and romance and features a very likeable cast. The problem is that it's too similar to the animated original and doesn't bring much new to the story. How much of a problem that is is for everyone to figure out. But the craftsmanship is more than good.
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I was the one who objected the most loudly that Aladdin didn't need a live-action adaptation because it could already suffice as the epitome of the adventure genre in the animated version. And yet Guy Ritchie's direction turns the chase scenes in the marketplace or on the carpet into an impressively exciting spectacle, the bond between the main protagonist and the perfect Jasmine (Naomi Scott is the most amazing princess, and I want to see her everywhere now, thank you very much) is perfectly believable by fairytale standards, and the added subplots with Jafar's motivations or the breathtaking song "Speechless" make Prince Ali not only a great summer blockbuster but also the best live-action Disney movie, for me surpassing even the unmatchable Beauty and the Beast.
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The mere mention of a live-action version of Aladdin has long terrified me. It is not an inspired story, but a retelling of the classic Disney story, which is a completely useless endeavor. And yet all it needed was a little more and we would have gotten an equally interesting new fairy tale adventure, like in Alice or Maleficent. But wouldn’t you know it, even with such poor prospects, Guy Ritchie managed to make a crazy colorful film that rushes by very quickly and almost amusingly toward its prescribed happy ending. It is not something I would recommend to anyone, but it’s also not the expected disaster.
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I haven't seen the original Aladdin yet (shame one me, I know), but after watching the live-action (but still largely animated) remake, I need to make time for it soon. The beginning of the film felt a bit dry and rushed, but eventually it all kicked into high gear and only stopped during the closing credits. The film abounds with an incredible amount of colours that make your eyes cross, it offers plenty of action scenes and there are romantic and funny moments as well. The blue of the genie may have looked a bit weird in places, but in the end it didn't distract me that much. The plot flowed nicely and one did not get bored at all, which is the main thing. Among the best scenes are the first meeting of Aladdin and the Genie and then the arrival of Prince Ali in the city.
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