In this new column, our favorite flicks from the big screen are brought to the page, whether they’re blockbusters, indies, or anything in between. Grab some popcorn and a drink, and let’s dive into these films together.

***Spoilers ahead!***

We have been gifted yet another live-action adaptation during this unprecedented era of Disney remakes. I still don’t know exactly why and how this trend began, but I’m not really complaining since I grew up with these classic Disney stories and love to see them transcend to the big screen in a realistic way. 

The latest one that has hit the box office is Aladdin, an adaption of the animated 1992 film. When I first heard the news of this movie, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. I mean, how could the Genie character ever be played by someone other than Robin Williams? Was Jafar actually going to be the creepy, power-obsessed villain he was in the animated movie or just a handsome, suave version that he appeared to be from the photos released prior to the movie? And exactly how CGI-ed was this movie going to be? 

Like I said, not too excited. But when the trailers started releasing, my anticipation began to build as I saw one of my favorite stories unfolding, and I knew I just had to go see it for myself, at least for the sake of 7-year-old me.

The plot is more or less the same, with a more modern spin, similar to how Beauty and the Beast was adapted in 2017. It begins with a man telling his two children about Aladdin’s story, and then we enter the world of Agrabah to find Aladdin already encountering a disguised Princess Jasmine. 

Aladdin helps her escape the palace guards, and they begin to take a liking to each other, with the pretense that she is one of the princess’ handmaidens. She returns back to the palace, where Jafar is trying to control and overthrow the Sultan. Aladdin gets captured sneaking into the palace while trying to find her, and Jafar tells him that she is actually the princess and not some handmaiden. 

Jafar pressures Aladdin into pursuing a lamp for him in the Cave of Wonders, in return for all the gold he could ask for. The same action scene ensues as in the animated film – Aladdin retrieves the lamp as his monkey Abu touches the forbidden treasure. They are on the brink of escaping, but Aladdin gives Jafar the lamp, causing Jafar to snatch it away and leave Aladdin to die in the Cave. 

In the nick of time, Abu snags the lamp from Jafar’s bag; Abu and Aladdin are buried underneath the Cave. At this point, we haven’t deviated much from the original story, and I’m greatly impressed by how stunning the movie is with the gorgeous setting of Agrabah, especially in 3D where the cinematography is made all the more spectacular. 

Aladdin then summons the Genie, who’s portrayed by Will Smith. Smith’s performance is probably the most awaited one in the entire film because of the legacy Robin Williams left with his Genie. While Smith uses a bit of Williams’ style to influence his character, his humor is still very himself and depicts the Genie well with his characteristic sassiness and quick wit. 

Once they’re out of the Cave, he gives Aladdin his first wish, to be a prince, and Aladdin is presented as Prince Ali from Ababwa when he returns to Agrabah. I would say here is where I was most impressed in all of the film. The new renditions of “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali” are incredibly infectious; I couldn’t help but sing and dance along in my seat. Both numbers are full of innovative choreography, and the songs greatly appeal to the modern radio listener’s ear. 

But that extravagance doesn’t impress Princess Jasmine, and Aladdin works through many blunders to try to court the princess. Finally, when he takes her to “A Whole New World,” he wins over the princess’ heart. Meanwhile, Genie in his human form courts Jasmine’s actual handmaiden Dalia, giving him an added romantic storyline that we don’t see the original film. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the secondary characters interacted.

Jafar figures out Aladdin’s actual identity, and he throws him into the sea to drown. Of course, Genie saves him, taking up Aladdin’s second wish. They tell the Sultan about Jafar’s villainy. Jafar gets arrested, and the Sultan proposes that Aladdin become heir to the throne. This causes a debacle between Genie and Aladdin, since Aladdin tells Genie he can no longer use his third wish to free him because he needs him to keep up his act of being Prince Ali. 

Iago, Jafar’s parrot, helps Jafar escape and steals the lamp for him. Jafar become Genie’s new master and wishes to become Sultan. The power of Jasmine’s character shines through, as she convinces the head of the palace guards not to kneel before Jafar. I loved to see the power she exuded in this moment and how she refuses to let Jafar get away with controlling her fate.

Because the Sultan and Princess Jasmine refuse to kneel before him, Jafar wishes to become the greatest sorcerer in the world. Aladdin tries to stop him and gets banished to the ends of the earth. 

Jasmine agrees to marry Jafar so that he won’t kill the Sultan. While they’re preparing to marry, Aladdin returns from banishment on his magic carpet. After Aladdin returns, the movie takes a different path to get to the same ending; rather than a battle directly between Jafar and Aladdin, an action scene ensues between several of the characters.

However, no matter the opposition he faces, Jafar still maintains his power. Finally, Aladdin tricks Jafar into wishing to become a genie. Now a genie without a master, Jafar gets confined to his lamp, taking his dear parrot with him. Genie throws the lamp into the Cave of Wonders, where Jafar will be spending a thousand years or so cooling down.

As promised, Aladdin uses his last wish to free Genie. The Sultan declares that Jasmine will be the next Sultan, which was definitely my favorite change to the story! 

As the Sultan, Jasmine is able to change the law and marry whomever she chooses. Aladdin and Jasmine are married, as well as Genie and Dalia. Then, the movie closes out with an awesome dance scene with all of the characters. 

I have to say, I was impressed with the way this movie turned out, and I’m glad this movie was adapted as a live-action. The only question I was left to ask was this: Will I ever be able to get the soundtrack out of my head?

Demi is currently a senior at UCF, studying creative writing. She is a lover of the arts and always eager to discuss films, TV and music. Have any movies to recommend? Shoot her an email at demi@nona.media.