It’s time to set the record straight: Disney has decided to mess up with our treasured childhood memories with newer and “woker” versions of our favorite Disney classics. It’s worked quite well in some cases, I guess. I mean, The Jungle Book (2016) was ok (though Baloo didn’t live up to our expectations) and Beauty and the Beast (2017) was just fine. However, they’ve taken some really great stories and characters to the abyss where terrible movies go. And in that unpleasant list there are films like Maleficent (2014), which is having a sequel nobody really asked for, and Cinderella (2015) (like we hadn’t had enough with its ridiculous plot “witch turns good turns godmother turns fairytale.” You know what, Disney? Leave our villains alone!). Still, I wonder: how do we really feel about the trailer for Disney’s upcoming live-action Aladdin (2019)?
Disney has decided to tell everyone they’re the ones who rule the world by releasing not one, not two, but six movies (this in addition to the Star Wars saga and the Marvel films). And of course, one of them is our beloved Aladdin (2019). Since the project was announced, there were many doubts and people asked if it was a good decision to turn one of the most beloved Disney classics into live-action just for it to join the hype. Would this live-action Aladdin deliver the great notes of those unforgettable and beautiful songs? Would it end up being nothing but a cheesy remake that forces its storytelling to fit in political correctness? And, the most important of all these questions: would Will Smith fill Robin Williams’ shoes as the iconic, hilarious, and legendary genie?
Most of these questions have been answered through the past few months. With official images, a viral teaser clip, and now the full trailer for the upcoming live-action remake of Aladdin, audiences around the world were left with excitement, nostalgia and enthusiasm. So, these are the things we know may happen just from the glimpse of the trailer:
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Now, there are some things from the teaser and trailer that we have to talk about. Honestly, we should all thank the casting director for Jafar (Marwan Kenzari). However, getting hot villains is nothing new and it would only make us root for them and Jafar particularly is one of those characters whose entire image has to evoke repulsiveness along with his Machiavellian and (let’s be honest) perverted personality.
Aladdin, on the other hand, gives us his “good guy” vibe, but we’re not sure if he can pull off of the street-rat witty, charming, and sometimes sarcastic personality that made us (and you all have to accept it) swoon for an animated character. I mean, Mena Massoud looks great in character, but I really hope there’s more elaboration of his character in the film than what we’ve seen on the trailer.
Jasmine, as well, seems to be lacking some of the sass and power the original film showed us and we really need that strength back since she’s one of those Disney female characters that were way ahead of her time. Give this woman her sass back for the love of God!
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I won’t even talk about the genie because honestly, I’m so confused. I like Will Smith; I loved The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990), but I don’t really see that charm and spontaneity we all loved in Robin Williams’ interpretation (did you know the character was actually created for him and inspired by him?). It’s actually quite brave of him to take such an iconic role, so I just hope his long-time lost comedy style comes out again and he gives us a new character to remember.
As I’ve stated previously, I have very mixed feelings about this live-action remake of Aladdin. I bet I’m not the only one. Still, all we can hope is that Guy Ritchie shapes up and gives us the movie we deserve. One that will melt our millennial hearts while making Aladdin an icon for those generations to come. And in my opinion, the only way to do so is this: recreate each sequence and still from the original. Oh, I almost forgot! If Iago doesn’t speak, I’m trashing the movie theatre.
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