Aladdin

Storyline

Aladdin (2019) tells the story of a kind-hearted but clever street thief named Aladdin, living in the bustling and magical city of Agrabah. When he stumbles upon a mysterious lamp that houses a powerful Genie, Aladdin is granted three wishes that could change his life forever. Alongside Princess Jasmine, a strong-willed royal who dreams of freedom beyond the palace walls, Aladdin must outsmart the sinister royal vizier Jafar, who seeks to steal the lamp’s power for himself. Through thrilling adventures, magical moments, and a blossoming romance, Aladdin learns valuable lessons about courage, honesty, and the importance of being true to oneself.

Tags

Tagline

"Choose Wisely."

Motion Picture Rating (MPA)

PG

Trivia

• Will Smith was initially hesitant to take on the role of Genie because he wanted to bring a fresh and unique interpretation, separate from Robin Williams' iconic animated performance. Naomi Scott, who plays Princess Jasmine, performed the empowering new song "Speechless" live on set to capture genuine emotion. Mena Massoud, portraying Aladdin, trained in parkour and acrobatics to perform many of his own stunts, adding authenticity to the character’s agility. The design of the Sultan’s palace was inspired by real historical sites, including the Alhambra in Spain, blending Middle Eastern and Moorish architectural styles. The film features over 1,000 visual effects shots, highlighting the extensive use of CGI to create Agrabah’s magical environment and the Genie’s transformations.

Goofs

• Throughout the film, there are a few noticeable continuity errors. For example, Aladdin’s footwear changes between scenes; sometimes he is seen wearing slippers, other times barefoot. The CGI for the Genie occasionally shows inconsistencies in lighting and texture, making the character look slightly different from shot to shot. Jasmine’s hair length varies subtly during certain scenes, which can be distracting. In some wide shots, extras in the background are briefly visible wearing modern clothing, which breaks the historical fantasy setting. Additionally, a small digital artifact appears on Genie’s arm during one scene due to a visual effects glitch.

Quotes

• Genie: “Phenomenal cosmic powers… itty bitty living space.” This line humorously captures Genie’s larger-than-life personality confined within the lamp.
• Aladdin: “You’re only a fool if you give up.” A motivational line highlighting Aladdin’s resilience.
• Jasmine: “I want to be free to make my own choices.” This line reflects Jasmine’s desire for independence and equality.
• Jafar: “Power comes with a price.” A dark reminder of the consequences of ambition and greed.
• Genie: “Ten thousand years will give you such a crick in the neck!” A playful nod to Genie’s long imprisonment in the lamp.

Crazy_credits

• Unlike many modern blockbusters, Aladdin (2019) does not feature any post-credits or mid-credits scenes that hint at sequels or spin-offs. The end credits are creatively designed with beautiful animations inspired by Middle Eastern art and culture, and they include the new and classic songs from the film’s soundtrack. These credit sequences offer a visually rich and culturally immersive conclusion to the movie experience.

Connections

• This film is a live-action remake of Disney’s beloved 1992 animated classic Aladdin. It maintains many of the original’s key story elements, music, and characters while adding new depth and modern updates. Will Smith’s portrayal of Genie contains several respectful nods and homages to Robin Williams’ legendary voice work, making it both fresh and familiar. The film is part of the larger Disney Princess universe and shares thematic links with other Disney live-action remakes and animated features. Disney has also confirmed plans for a sequel that will continue the adventures of Aladdin and Jasmine.

Soundtracks

• The soundtrack includes beloved classics like “Arabian Nights,” “One Jump Ahead,” “Friend Like Me” (performed energetically by Will Smith), “Prince Ali,” and the romantic duet “A Whole New World” sung by Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott. The film also introduces new songs, most notably “Speechless,” which is performed by Naomi Scott and serves as an anthem of empowerment for Princess Jasmine. The musical score was composed by Alan Menken, who returned to expand on his original themes with new compositions that blend traditional orchestration with contemporary sounds.