Review of Aladdin (1992) by Bill C — 18 Nov 2012

One of the best aspects of Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" was that it put its "supporting players" as the main characters, allowing for the protagonists to dwell in the background (it's no accident that neither Aurora nor Phillip speak for the final act of the film). It's a formula that I wish more Disney films would follow, as it would probably elevate Aladdin to greatness.

Aladdin ("Full House"'s Scott Weinger) is a street rat who falls in love with the Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin). After a mishap, Aladdin is arrested and thrown to rot into a dungeon. However, he is tricked by the wicked vizier, Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) into entering the Cave of Wonders to retrieve a magic lamp.

Let's discuss the Cave of Wonders. It's a wondrous CGI creation, a talking lion's head made of sand. The interior is gorgeously animated and painted, possibly one of the best sets in all of animation. But I digress.

After being betrayed, Aladdin's monkey Abu (Frank Welker) manages to retrieve the lamp, and from said lamp emerges the film's best creation, Robin Williams' Genie.

The premise feels like it could have worked had the film gone the same mould as "Sleeping Beauty". It has similar elements- a colorful cast of supporting characters, a royal forced into an arranged marriage, a sorcerous villain with a bird sidekick (Gilbert Gottfried as Iago). Unfortunately, the movie follows a more predictable course.

The Genie truly elevates the movie, filled with such manic energy that he lights up the screen. Also delightful is the Magic Carpet, a sentient rug who speaks merely through pantomime.

All in all, "Aladdin" is entertaining and funny, but also smells of wasted potential.