Guy Ritchie, a man who dropped out of school at age 15, always had an interest in films. He started his film career in 1995 but never attended film school. Yet he has had quite a successful biography in that field. He was even married to Madonna at one time. He continues his jaunt with a 2019 live-action remake of the Disney animated classic Aladdin that hits theaters and Imax Friday, May 24. He has somewhat snatched magic in this latest effort of his.
It’s the same movie you know from 1992 that featured Robin Williams as Genie. That was animated, just like Dumbo, and Ritchie follows that format with a different spin. This version features Will Smith as Genie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin with Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Aladdin, being a street rat, agrees to retrieve a magic lamp out of the Cave Of Wonders for the evil Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), a former street rat himself and in turn he can meet Princess Jasmine. Jafar betrays Aladdin and keeps the lamp but thanks to a magic carpet Aladdin frees in the Cave and with the help of his monkey Abu, Aladdin is able to reclaim it. He dusts off the lamp and guess what? a big blue genie (Smith) appears with three wishes to grant.
Will Smith adds a little hip-hop with his own flair and although he gives it his all, he’s not Robin Williams. Most of this film is CGI probably with the actors with a green screen at their backs but it is a nice summer fair for the kiddos and this one is 38 minutes longer than the original. I did enjoy the post credits song and dance with Smith’s “Never Had A Friend Like Me”. The costume dept did their job fine and chances are come award time, it might get some love. All-in-all it’s a brand new world so let it go until more live-action Disney remakes are up ahead in the distance.
