Aladdin: A nostalgic wish come true

Directed by Guy Ritchie, the same man who gave us Sherlock Holmes (2009), Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows (2011) and Snatch (2000), the live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated classic, Aladdin, is a nostalgic wish come true for anyone who grew up watching Disney films. It follows Aladdin, an Arabian street urchin, who finds a magic lamp containing a genie. In order to hide the lamp from the Grand vizier, he disguises himself as a wealthy prince, and tries to impress the Sultan and his daughter. The premise of the remake stays quite faithful to the 1992 film, with Alan Menken returning as the music director.

People have been a bit worried about anyone messing with a beloved classic like Aladdin. After all, the original 1992 animated version—featuring Robin Williams’ rapid-fire genius, a fun Arabian Nights love story and an Academy Award-winning musical score—is right there at the top of nearly every family’s “favourites” list. Fortunately, in his interpretation of what the world of Aladdin will look like if it was made out of brick and mortar, Guy Ritchie magnificently brings the city of Agrabah to life, making some changes to the story in lively and colourful ways. He presents simplistic, bedtime storytelling, stylised to cinematic perfection. However, in the first few minutes, barring the opening credits song, viewers really struggle to connect with the story as an immersive experience.  But once the screenplay picks up pace, the film is a joyful ride.

The character of the Genie is one that everyone is easily emotionally invested in. Despite having been stuck in the lamp for more than a thousand years, the minute the Genie gets out, he is making pop cultural references, giving makeovers and being witty, as if he spends most of his days on Twitter and Netflix. Will Smith as the Genie sweeps the floor with anyone sharing screen space with him. With his brilliant comic timing, dancing and singing, Smith reinforces his position as one of the greatest entertainers there is.

Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine wins over Mena Massoud as Aladdin. She stands out in every scene. Her solo song, Speechless, an original track made for the adaptation, is one of the most powerful moments of the film.

Mena Massoud is not instantly likeable, which is one of the key characteristics of Aladdin, but as the film progresses, so does his character and he manages to grow on everyone. Unfortunately, Massoud is a better singer and dancer than he is an actor, and because most of his scenes are with Smith, he comes across as more of a novice. Nasim Pedrad plays the newly created character Dalia, a quirky and loveable handmaid to Princess Jasmine. She brings in a strong dose of comedy, but remains largely under utilised in the story.

All in all, Aladdin is a film that celebrates love, hope, freedom, breaking down the class divide and living in harmony. It is the fairytale that perhaps all of us need every once in a while.