By Roxy Tart

Disney’s live-action Aladdin took me to a whole new world, left me speechless, and made for long for more Arabian nights!

So here the deal, I like Disney Live Action movies. I’ve liked every live-action adaptation of the animated films, and the original ones like Maleficent, so I knew going into this that I was gonna like it.

Like everyone else, I’ve heard the complaints; “Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott don’t have star power”, “why is Aladdin wearing a shirt”, “the CGI looks shoddy”, and of course, we can’t forget “Genie-gate”. But still, I choose to walk into movies with an open mind, and not judge until I’ve seen it for myself. So in I walked thinking “I like Aladdin, I like Will Smith, I love Alen Menken…how bad can it be?

Y’all, my answer is…it’s incredible! Hands down my favorite live action movie Disney has made so far. This is a thrilling, vibrant, exciting movie that had me smiling from beginning to end.

Visually, this movie is stunning. From the opening sequence when we “fly” over Agrabah, to running through the cave of wonders, to the over the top entrance that Prince Ali makes, this film does an amazing job of mixing the classic imagery from the 1992 animated version that we love, with the extravagantly beautiful style of Bollywood. The costumes have been reimagined to reflect more realistic middle eastern garments, but still shine brilliantly and take you straight into a fantasy. In fact, there are so many details in the sets and costumes, I feel like you’d have to watch it a dozen times before you’d really be able to see them all. There were times when I felt that the CGI was a little overwhelming or distracting, but those moments were fleeting, and the practical elements pulled me right back in.

As for the acting, I am 100% in love with this cast, and would totally watch them in anything, including a Return of Jafar movie (and that’s saying something because we all know how bad that sequel was). Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott are amazing as Aladdin and Jasmin, and their chemistry is perfect. Scott’s portrayal of Jasmin is strong, passionate, and shows us a complex character who knows what she wants and is willing to fight for it but is constantly silenced by the oppressive regime she lives in. Massoud plays Aladdin as brave and adventurous, but still unsure of himself in unfamiliar situations, and that makes him truly endearing. And Will Smith…well, he took this role and made it his own, while still paying tribute to Robin Willams in all the best ways possible. The lines, the delivery, and even the characteristics that we all fell in love with when Robin was behind the Genie were all brought to life, and yet Smith was able to mix in his own flare and make the character uniquely his.

As much as this movie had me smiling, laughing and dancing in my seat, there was one part that brought tears to my eyes. Jasmin’s new solo song “Speechless” (lyrics written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, score by Alan Menken), is a powerful, beautiful piece of music that could easily become the newest girl power anthem. It’s about Jasmin getting to a point where “It's not going to be easy and I may lose this fight, but I need to step up”. It’s about standing up for what you believe in and reclaiming your own power, and it will absolutely resonate with what women are feeling in the world right now.

Final thoughts, I’m gonna go see this again, with my friends, my mom, my son, and anyone else who wants to join me. And I know that I’ll enjoy it every time!

“Aladdin” opens in theaters everywhere May 24, 2019!

(All Images Courtesy of Disney)

Live Action “Aladdin” Review

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