I was expecting a fail, but (thankfully) watched something way better. It wasn’t perfect. It’s not an exact re-make. But it is something I would watch again.
Positive points? Most of the movie. I love Naomi & Mena. Fantastic actors. Naomi especially shined in her updated role of Jasmine. Mena, you have my heart. And Will Smith earns his badge as Genie, but sometimes he seems a bit... rehearsed. Genie’s skin change thing was strange, but had an acceptable reason why. Jafar could of been more evil. Iago & Rajah had less screen time. The handmaid was funny & relatable. The new song Naomi sings is beautiful and not as out of place like the additional ones that Disney put in Beauty & the Beast. Had to sneak that one in. The speechless reprise was completely unnecessary. There was a bit too much forced kid comedy. The directing was wonderful. The movie’s landscape is colorful & gorgeous. The dance numbers were pretty cool. The movie was a bit long. Quality over quantity Disney. Besides the live action remake of Cinderella (forgot about that one didn’t ya?), this is my new live action Disney favorite.
Negative points? There are a few parts of the movie that did disappoint me. Pointing out three major drawbacks. One, why is he wearing a shirt. Expanding on this, why were the outfits so different from the original ones (and the hair!!!)? Big negative. Two, the songs! More specifically, One Jump Ahead & A Whole New World. Why? Why slow perfectly good songs down? Who ever did that needs to please rethink that choice. It ruined some of the movies bright points. Three, why is the movie so rushed in the beginning. Disney changed how Aladdin & Jasime meet and it shows. The meeting is very fast and not at all a smooth introduction to each other’s characters. Very cringe worthy.