New Aladdin movie the rollicking crowd-pleaser we wanted… most of the time

Despite people saying Will Smith as the Genie looked like a Smurf hitting the steroids way too hard and the unknown lead actors weren’t ‘movie stars’, Disney’s live-action reboot of the classic cartoon is not the debacle the naysayers were nudging for.

Earlier in the year, a few awkward trailers and clips had thumbs trending downwards on the new Aladdin.

The general consensus was that Will Smith as the Genie looked like a Smurf that had been hitting the steroids way too hard.

The unknown actors playing Aladdin and Jasmine didn’t seem like ‘movie stars’ (whatever that is supposed to mean these days). And what could be heard of the music didn’t set toes tapping or fingers clicking.

Well, now that the full Aladdin is here, go right ahead and breathe a deep sigh of relief. For this latest Disney live-action reboot of a classic cartoon is not the debacle the naysayers were nudging for.

In fact, in its best stretches, the new Aladdin is a rollicking crowd-pleaser bursting at the seams with energy, colour and excitement.

While it is not quite in the same league as Disney’s recent reimagining of Dumbo, it remains a lively, endearingly likeable effort that will put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.

To their credit, director Guy Ritchie and his creative team have not tinkered too much with the 1992 animated musical held so dear by so many.

A cautious effort has been made in retaining all the best songs from before, as well as the timeless spirit of the characters, and the cartoon version’s irresistible conviction to wring every bit of frivolous fun it can from this fabled Arabian adventure.

Scene from the movie Aladdin (2019). Use for WEB ONLY.

Will Smith stars as the Genie in the live-action remake of Disney's Aladdin, screening this week at the Majestic Theatre, Malanda.

Appealing newcomers Mena Massoud (as Aladdin) and Naomi Scott (Jasmine) do not take too long to find their stride after unconvincing starts.

Surprisingly, the same goes for Will Smith as Genie, who will definitely grow on you after a while.

While Smith’s motion-captured “out of the bottle” look is still the same strangely scaled (and far too blue) figure that turned off so many in the trailers, his Genie can also assume a more palatable, human form when needs be.

This allows Smith’s comedy smarts to kick in and lift the picture at the right times, especially once he starts building on an obvious rapport shared with Massoud as Aladdin.

Mena Massoud is a bit of a find, casting-wise, as it turns out.

Naomi Scott as Jasmine and Mena Massoud as Aladdin in Disney’s live-action adaptation of ALADDIN, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Scene from the movie Aladdin (2019). Use for WEB ONLY.

The title character is several things at once: a romantic lead, a loveable rogue, an action hero, a bit of a jerk, a passionate rabblerouser, and self-deprecating funnyman.

Massoud covers all these bases quite impressively, considering his lack of experience.

Fans who still cherish the original Aladdin for its songcraft will be happy enough with what they hear in the new movie.

While Smith’s songs are a bit flat, and Massoud’s numbers just worthy of a pass mark, any tune where Naomi Scott is front and centre makes for excellent work.

If you have your doubts, wait until the final act for Scott’s stirring, fist-pumping rendition of the new composition Speechless. It is the standout moment of the entire movie.

Scene from the movie Aladdin (2019).

Aladdin stills, Mena Massoud as Aladdin

Sure, the new Aladdin does fall short of its animated predecessor on several fronts, not the least of them being an unnecessarily elongated running time (over two hours).

Some of the supporting players (particularly Marwan Kenzari as the villainous Jafar) do not cut through as they should.

Otherwise, your wish for a respectful and enjoyable new Aladdin has been granted.

Aladdin (PG)

Director: Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes)

Starring: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Billy Magnussen, Marwan Kenzari.

Rating: ***

A repeat magic carpet ride still soars high enough