Disney’s latest in its long list of live-action remakes takes you on a magical carpet ride to Agrabah, with Genie in full control.

Nostalgia is a powerful force, this much is certain. With Disney seemingly intent on remaking your childhood classics in the modern era, every generation is spoilt for choice this year.

The newest release, Aladdin, aims to spread joy through singing and dancing in these turbulent times.

Based on the 1992 animated film of the same name – itself a Middle Eastern folktale – Aladdin follows the eponymous street urchin (Mena Massoud) as he tries to get by in the kingdom of Agrabah through petty crime.

One day, Aladdin stumbles upon the disguised princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), helping her escape the local lawmen after she grabbed some bread from a market stall for impoverished children. The two quickly becomes smitten with each other, but their social status differences get in the way.

Meanwhile, the ever-scheming vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) seeks an artifact that will enable him to take the throne for himself: the magical wishing lamp that will grant you three wishes through the genie, played by a very blue Will Smith.

Hot pursuit: The eponymous character is played by Egyptian-Canadian newcomer Mena Massoud. (Walt Disney Pictures/-)

Plot-wise, Aladdin sticks true to the original cartoon, with nearly every scene recreated as is. The adaptation also retains the musical elements from the source material, with the songs rewritten and rescored to bring it in line with the actors’ personality and overall mood.

While the reworked songs can become a point of contention for hardcore purists, the delivery is certainly very slick and well done. Jasmine’s solo parts are particularly notable, helped by Scott’s background as a professional singer.

Also in the subject of songs are Genie’s musical numbers like self-aggrandizing “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali”. The former is infused with influences from rap music, while the latter becomes part of a massive sequence involving approximately 1,000 dancers and extras in an explosion of color and melody.

This brings us to Genie himself. The character is definitely meant as the comic relief role with many gags and skits, but Smith seems to steal every scene he is in, big musical number or no. It might be because of the top billing carrying on to the script, but Aladdin and Jafar would certainly be nowhere without Genie’s magical powers, and arguably that’s what happened here too.

With that said, Smith’s performance is laudable and provided many of the movie’s highlights. His comedy chops are clearly on display, and his rapping skill is very much a major factor in the musical segments being reworked to suit him better.

Friend like me: Will Smith stars as Genie, the wisecracking, all-powerful being responsible for many of the movie's humorous scenes. (Walt Disney Pictures/-)

Also, because it’s 2019 and every movie seems to be contractually obligated to tick a checklist of progressive ideas, Aladdin has its own share of modern values injected.

Take for example Jasmine’s position as princess. In the original, she is upset because the rule of Agrabah states that she must marry a prince instead of the one she loves. In the modern adaptation, Jasmine wants to rule the kingdom as sultan instead of having to marry a prince that will take the throne.

Another has Jasmine determined to be heard, not just seen as Jafar suggests to her early on. She also appeals to Jafar’s right-hand man and head of guards Hakim (Numan Acar) to stand up to a figure of authority in the name of righteousness.

Treacherous: Royal vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) plots to take the throne for himself. (Walt Disney Pictures/-)

Of course, this is a Disney movie, so there’s always the moral of the story. However noble the cause might be, it seems a little tacked on to curry favors from progressives rather than an earnest desire, but at least it’s a way to get on the right side of history.

All in all, Aladdin is an adequate movie for the holidays. There’s enough nostalgia for the adults to come and see, but you’ll also want to stay for the CGI blue-skinned Will Smith rapping about how good a friend he is.

 

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'Aladdin' (Walt Disney Pictures)

Director: Guy Ritchie

Writer: John August

Cast: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen, Numan Acar

Running time: 128 minutes