ALADDIN – A Review by Hollywood Hernandez
Aladdin is spectacular and Will Smith’s performance as the Genie will have you asking Robin Who? (Robin Williams played the Genie in Disney’s animated version of the film.) All of Will Smith’s scenes as the Genie are CGI (Computer Generated Images). The Genie comes to life on the big screen in the most magical and realistic way possible, using today’s technology.
With a great supporting cast, the movie has incredible music, singing, and dancing, a fantastic story about love and friendship and it is an absolute joy to watch. After seeing it once, I already want to see it again.
After being captured by Jafar, the sultan’s most trusted advisor, he forced into a cave to bring back The Gene’s magic lamp. After spending 1,000 years trapped in the lamp the Genie is ready to do his magic.
Aladdin’s first wish is to be a prince so that he might have a chance hooking up with the kingdom’s princess, Jasmine. His second wish is made by The Genie to save him from drowning when he unconscious underwater. That leaves him with one more wish for the rest of the movie.
Will Smith, who says it was the music that first attracted him to the movie, adds a real hip hop feel with all of the characters rapping as part of the movie’s musical soundtrack. They even throw in a little beat boxing. The movie is an absolute joy and is entertaining from its first scene until the closing dance number. I loved it!
Mena Massoud plays Aladdin and Naomi Scott is Princess Jasmine. Together the two actors make for a classic big screen couple. Marwin Kenzari does an amazing job as a Middle Eastern antagonist as Jafar, especially considering he is a well know Dutch actor.
The movie runs 2 hours and 8 minutes and is appropriate for any age with a PG rating. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate Aladdin a JUMBO with extra butter (my highest possible rating).
