Film Name:阿拉丁 / Aladdin
Compared to “Is it good?”, “audience desires and expectations” might be the more fundamental criterion for evaluating a film, because there are simply too many movies in the world, and our perspectives and standards for films have never been uniform.
Honestly, before watching “Aladdin,” my expectations weren’t high. It’s a remake of a classic animated film, and the trailers seemed rather “mediocre.” All signs pointed to this being just another routine Disney production—nothing particularly fresh. However…
Approaching it with casual expectations for a fun flick, I found Aladdin far surpassed my predictions. In fact, the lackluster trailers did this film a disservice!
The film’s music, visuals, costumes, action sequences, and overall style are all incredibly charming, packed with delightful surprises. Add to that the long-awaited yet familiar performance of the “King of R&B” Will Smith, and “Aladdin” instantly won me over.
[Friendly reminder: If you’ve seen the 1992 animated film “Aladdin,” this piece can hardly be considered “spoiler-free.” Frankly, I don’t think spoilers make much difference here… But just to be clear, the following contains minor spoilers.]
There’s much to discuss about “Aladdin,” and I’ll start with the action sequences.
Shortly after the film begins, a breathtaking chase sequence unfolds as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine weave through the city streets hand-in-hand, evading pursuers. Aladdin’s acrobatic leaps and bounds readily evoke the image of a “Persian monkey prince.” Combined with his streetwise philosophy as a “small-time hustler” and the gritty urban perspective reminiscent of Guy Ritchie’s style, the scene delivers a profoundly immersive experience.
Set against the backdrop of the Middle Eastern Arab world, the film showcases its beautiful and unique exotic charm through well-paced action sequences and varied close-ups and wide shots.
This leads us to the next strength: the richly vibrant and dazzling “visuals.”
Since “Aladdin” is fundamentally a fantasy film/musical/fairy tale centered on “Arabian flair,” fairy tale, the color palette embraces vibrant, warm tones: desert yellows, ocean blues, and characters clad in bright whites, reds, greens, and other vivid hues. After binge-watching “Game of Thrones,” suddenly seeing such a high-saturation film feels like a refreshing “eye wash.”
The scene where Prince Ali enters the city is a masterpiece of visual spectacle. The riotous blend of yellows, greens, blues, and pinks, paired with the characters’ dancing and singing as they parade through the streets, borders on the extravagantly over-the-top—yet it’s undeniably stunning.
The film’s popularity stems largely from its casting and music, earning its reputation as a true feast for the senses. While we’ll save discussion of Will’s Genie for later, I’d like to briefly address Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine.
From 1992 to 2019, societal trends and public discourse underwent profound shifts over 27 years. Princess Jasmine must embody not only the traditional virtues of wisdom and beauty but also modern traits of independence and courage… Naomi Scott masterfully embodies this evolution and deserves praise (by comparison, Mena Massoud’s Aladdin feels somewhat ordinary, though his expressive eyes and emotional range alone make him perfectly suited for the role).
Naomi’s vocal prowess is beyond reproach. She delivered several memorable songs in the film: the theme “A Whole New World” radiates heartfelt elegance, while her solo “Speechless”—resolute and majestic—truly wowed audiences!
While most songs in “Aladdin” are reimagined versions of classics, these adaptations showcase more contemporary and diverse possibilities. Many tracks feel poised to enjoy renewed popularity thanks to the film’s success.
Another implicit reason for the film’s appeal lies in today’s sophisticated special effects technology—after all, animation and live-action possess distinct textures. Through visual wizardry, Disney has recreated the fantastical world of “Les nouvelles aventures d’Aladin” from “1001 Nights,” bringing its breathtaking Eastern kingdom, magical spells, anthropomorphic flying carpet, and unpredictable genie back to life on the big screen.
The film does have some flaws, such as the overly simplistic portrayal of the main antagonist, Jafar. Even for a film with relatively light character development, his characterization feels too one-dimensional. Moreover, he isn’t given a single song to sing throughout the entire film—a villain who doesn’t sing in a musical isn’t a proper villain!
Moreover, the pets—the monkey, parrot, tiger, magic carpet (?)—steal the show. They drive much of the plot, sometimes blurring the lines of who’s in charge and feeling like they’re upstaging the main characters…
However, watching the live-action “Aladdin” sparked a thought I never had while watching the animated version: Is the magic the Genie performs actually real? Or is it just an incredibly sophisticated illusion?
After Jafar granted his first wish to become Sultan, everyone retained their original memories. Captain of the Guard Haggim briefly defected but returned to loyalty to the old Sultan after Princess Jasmine’s warning. Only then did Jafar grant his second wish to become a sorcerer, using magic to suppress the “traitor”…
This sense of ambiguity, coupled with the Genie’s repeated assertion that “I can only change the outside, not the inside,” adds a layer of intrigue when re-examining the Aladdin narrative.
Finally, I must give special praise to the Emperor of History. He infused Aladdin with tremendous vitality, elevating the film’s quality to a whole new level.
The Genie bears the heaviest burden in the entire film. The 1992 version voiced by Robin Williams set an unparalleled standard, and now a live-action portrayal was required. Moreover, in this adaptation, the Genie’s characterization demanded an even greater balance between preserving “classic” elements and introducing “novelty” compared to Princess Jasmine—the challenge was immense…
Ultimately, the studio cast Will Smith—a master of singing, dancing, rapping, and acting—as the Genie, a stroke of genius.
Smith began his career as a singer before achieving massive fame through film. His fundamentals are unquestionable. His performance of “Friend Like Me”—a frenetic, rap-infused, high-energy number—silenced all doubters.
In truth, Will’s performance in this film doesn’t stand out compared to his career highlights:
In films like the “Bad Boys” series, “Independence Day,” the “Men in Black” series, and “Hancock,” Will consistently delivered his trademark chatty and witty performances. Portraying a quirky, humorous genie shouldn’t be too challenging for him. More importantly, this kind of traditional “comedic flair” has been sorely lacking in Hollywood blockbusters lately. Will’s portrayal is definitely a plus.
The relationship between Aladdin and the Genie is quite complex, blending elements of master-servant, friendship, and father-son dynamics. Therefore, beyond comedic effect, appropriate warmth and heartfelt moments are equally essential. Will’s experience in films like The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds allows him to navigate these nuanced layers with ease.
After all this praise, some might suspect I’m writing an advertorial… But my enthusiasm stems purely from the joyful surprise this film delivered.
“Aladdin” is a fairy tale, but above all, it’s a Disney-style blockbuster. If you believe in the beauty of the world and set aside your burdens, you’ll undoubtedly love this film that brings pure delight to all.
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