Well, I’m pretty flexible when it comes to comedy. So anything goes for me, well except maybe satire...
While I’ll respect your opinion, I’m just saying it’s a shame you don’t like Williams the same way say most of us do(in the bummer sort of way). But I for one find Will Smith funny too, I mean Fresh Prince is freaking hilarious! Like I said, I’m super flexible when it comes to comedy.
One thing this Genie had over Robin’s Genie was that the latter was allowed a bit too much free reign. Of course Robin was hilarious, but sometimes it felt like they left the camera rolling a bit too long. This Genie didn’t really give me that impression. I appreciate that considering how Genie usually gets flanderized into a pop culture spouting nut job and loses the heart that Robin gave him in the original film. The Aladdin show at Disneyland was really bad about it too. They basically stop the show a few times just so Genie can make jokes, the biggest offender being when Jafar becomes his master. Yes, it was funny, but we don’t have to stop the show... but I guess at the end of the day, that’s all the show was, a comedy show for Genie. Speaking of which, why don’t we have one of those?
If I'd be honest, I think Genie was more annoying in King of Thieves than any other movie. Robin Williams was already unrestrained in the original movie but I think in KOT he was going way overboard with his humor and especially in all the forced pop culture references he did from start to finish and I think Disney were afraid to stop him after what they did to him so they left him run the entire thing without telling him to stop.
I haven't seen King of Thieves in such a long time, I can't even say if I find him annoying in that. I do recall finding him funny there, but that was over 20 years ago. I tried getting the DVD from Netflix, but they are out of it. lol And, I'm not buying it. But, I do recall him being funny, but it going on a bit too long. I do recall liking King of Thieves, but Return of Jafar better. Igo's redemption story is awesome.
When you add in the animated series and King of Thieves, Iago had one hell of a character development. Kind of niche'ed himself as the Quark of the Aladdin bunch, some good counter points of views, sometimes knew stuff about other mystics and criminals from the knowledge he picked up as Jaffar's flunky for years, a little romance, and even a proper ending in King of Thieves.
That’s kinda mind blowing considering how he was basically the most bankable star from the mid-90’s to the late 2000’s
Yeah, he hasn’t really had a hit since the end of the 2000’s (regardless of the financial success of Suicide Squad and whatever).
I saw it. I’d give it about a 7/10. Spoiler It’s a remake of the animated film with hit/miss embellishments that weren’t really necessary, like with previous Disney live-action remakes. However, I think this remake did a bit better with its changes than the other films (though I admit I am partial to ALADDIN and THE LION KING as they were the first Disney films I saw). Guy Ritchie’s style isn’t used too much in the film, which was a bit surprising since I thought he’d give Aladdin some great stunts. But that may have been for the best, since he tells the tale as straight as possible with a fair balance of faithfulness and originality. Aladdin is the male Cinderella story, the diamond in the rough, the street thief who makes himself a prince to impress his dream girl but must rely on his own talent to save the day and win her heart. This version is still that, but more flawed and human; he has a distinct insecurity over his street status, and develops an obsession with wealth and status to move beyond it, but finds himself inept as a prince and eventually settles on being who he is. While the arc is a major one, it doesn’t get too much room due to the film being an ensemble piece with other parallel storylines happening; however it’s a solid performance from Massoud who showcases enough wit, charm and heart as Aladdin. Genie in this film is a powerful, but somewhat jaded magical being who has had many masters but is resigned to never finding the special master who can set him free; Will Smith plays him with the right balance of charm and cynicism. While it’s Genie meets Hitch, it’s a different enough portrayal from Robin William’s cheerful showman performance that it stands on its own. I wish that Genie was a little more fun, but it showcases the fact that power isn’t worth being in chains. Jasmine’s portrayal goes beyond the traditional Disney princess who experiences the world beyond her sheltered castle; she longs to be seen as a worthy ruler of Agrabah and refuses to be reduced to a pretty but silent face. This angle actually gives Jasmine depth and dignity, with her having a great scene where she faces down Jafar and earns herself loyalty and respect from the royal guard. However, Aladdin’s story doesn’t have room to explore it fully, so it doesn’t really go anywhere. She actually got the lamp from Jafar but didn’t use it? And how is she supposed to handle assassins after what happened with her mother? Jafar is revised to be a vengeful warmonger, someone who wants power so that he can wage war and dominate, as well as an evil version of Aladdin: someone who came up from the streets with ambitions to be Number 1. That character angle doesn’t add anything to Jafar IMO, it just makes him look bad-tempered and unreliable - which may be why he uses his cobra staff to hypnotize more than usual; it’s not wrong, but he’s supposed to be more tricky and shifty, as befits an evil vizier. Iago is reduced to being a squawking parrot who generally repeats lines. Such a waste of a fun sidekick character, and a waste of Alan Tudyk. The Sultan and Hakim had decent enough screentime to give solid performances. The Sultan in particular was able to be a bit more reactive against Jafar, and showcased enough affection towards Jasmine to show himself as a good father. Dalia was sweet, she was a nice addition to the film and her romance with Genie was cute, if too brief. Agrabah looks enchanting, like a truly incredible Arabian city. The music was okay, I have issues with some of the arrangements of “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali”. The ending seemed to leave room for a sequel where Iago gets free. I’m not sure whether that will happen though.
Live action and animated Signature Edition to be released on Digital on August 27th and Blu-ray on September 10th.
What I want more than the nonsensical ear cutting verse is having the sequels with uncropped footage.