Rajah (Jasmine’s protective pet Bengal tiger), Dalia (Nasim Pedrad as Jasmine’s loyal handmaiden and confidante) and Jasmine (Naomi Scott) outsmart the evil vizier.
ALADDIN
Film Review by Marlene Ardoin
If you need a break from all the tragedies going on, Will Smith’s Genie in “Aladdin,” not only grants you three wishes, but this film is overflowing with humor, beauty, wisdom and hope.
“Aladdin” reinforces the concept of female leadership in the character of Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), who wants women to have more of a voice in matters.
In this film, the evil vizier (Marwan Kenzari), is constantly reminding the princess that she needs to be silent.
When this story begins, both Jasmine and Aladdin are in a cultural prison, where every door is guarded.
What it addresses is the state of unfair privilege, or rather the question of equal privilege for all.
It is also about individual merit, where through right action, everyone should be able to move through the ranks, regardless of birth status.
In one scene, Aladdin (Mena Massoud) is told by a soldier that he is nothing.
Up until the time that Aladdin gets the lamp, his only friend is his monkey, but Aladdin is wise enough to ask the genie, what he would wish for, if given a wish.
Genie (Will Smith) instructs Aladdin (Mena Massoud) on how to make a good wish.
As the story progresses, Aladdin starts to realize his own potential and the gifts that he has to offer others.
Princess Jasmine is beautiful, but so is her courage and ideals.
Beauty is presented through the magnificence of the world, in the beauty of Jasmine’s tiger, in the dance scenes, in the discovery of love, and through friendships.
The use of live actors and actresses brings this fantasy to life, while still letting the filmgoer experience flights on a magic carpet.
The satisfying pleasure of this film is watching both Jasmine and Aladdin, not only find each other, but reach their full potential together.
Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, the evil vizier.
Cast:
- Will Smith as Genie:
A comedically eccentric and kindly jinn who has the power to grant three wishes to whoever possesses his magic lamp. Smith said that he was “terrified” while playing the character, but that “[he] found a lane that pays homage” to Robin Williams‘ performance in the original film, while still making the role “[his] own thing.”[10] Smith described the character as “both a trickster and a mentor,” who tries “to guide Aladdin to the truth of the greatness that’s already within him.”[1] Smith physically portrays the character when he is in the guise of a human, while his giant blue genie form is CGI, portrayed through motion-capture performance.[11][12] - Mena Massoud as Aladdin:
An impoverished Agrabah thief and “street rat” who is smitten with the Sultan’s daughter. With the Genie’s help, he masquerades as Prince Ali Ababwa. Massoud said that Aladdin “sees a future for himself that’s greater than what’s been set out for him at the present moment. He doesn’t know exactly what it is or how he’s going to get there, but he knows it is out there,” and felt the character “[i]s very selfless and usually does things for other people, but as he falls in love he loses himself a little bit and starts to become someone that he’s not. But he’s a good person with good intentions and has good people surrounding him who lead him back to where he’s supposed to be.”[1] - Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine:
The Sultan’s daughter and the feisty princess of Agrabah who wants to have a say in how she lives her life. Scott said that the character “will be strong and have fun, but also get it wrong and be emotional. She’s a multidimensional woman, and she does not have to just be one thing. So in this movie, you see her go on such a roller coaster, as opposed to her one goal being to escape the loneliness of royalty and find a companion.” She further stated that Jasmine will try to find “the courage to speak out for her people,”[13] and said that “Jasmine wants to know what goes on in her kingdom and reconcile the distance that has been created, and Aladdin gives her the courage to do just that.”[1] - Marwan Kenzari as Jafar:
A nefarious and deceptive sorcerer, the Grand vizier of Agrabah, and the Sultan’s chief advisor. Frustrated with the Sultan’s ways of ruling, he devises a plot to overthrow him as the ruler of Agrabah by acquiring the Genie’s lamp. Jafar’s backstory is explored in the film, which producer Jonathan Eirich felt would make the audience “understand why he’s so bad,” as “that’s what makes him such a good villain.”[1] - Navid Negahban as The Sultan:
The wise and noble ruler of Agrabah who is eager to find a capable husband for his daughter Jasmine. - Nasim Pedrad as Dalia:
Jasmine’s loyal handmaiden and confidante. Pedrad said that Dalia “[has] been by Jasmine’s side for years and really looks out for her.” - Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders:
A suitor and potential husband for Jasmine from the kingdom of Skånland.[12][14] - Numan Acar as Hakim:
The head of the palace guards who is loyal to the Sultan of Agrabah, as his father worked for the Sultan as a palace servant. - Jordan A. Nash as Omar:
The Genie and Dalia’s son. - Taliyah Blair as Lian:
The Genie and Dalia’s daughter. - Amir Boutrous as Jamal:
A bread vendor whom Aladdin tricks to keep him from taking disguised Jasmine’s heirloom bracelet.
Voices
- Alan Tudyk as Iago:
Jafar’s sardonic and intelligent scarlet macaw companion.[15] The film marks the first time that Gilbert Gottfried has not voiced the character. - Frank Welker reprises his three roles from the original film:
- Abu:
Aladdin’s kleptomaniac but loyal pet Tufted capuchin with a falsetto voice.[16][17][18] - Rajah:
Jasmine’s protective pet Bengal tiger and best friend, who communicates through growling, roaring, and grunting. - Cave of Wonders:
A sand guardian that resembles the giant head of a lion (in contrast with being a tiger in the original), who has been tasked to protect the magic lamp from intruders and give it to those who are worthy like a “diamond in the rough.”[16][17][18] - Aladdin Harvest Dance scene – Aladdin and Jasmine Dance:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfWqBFHMCHE
- Aladdin Wiki:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin_(2019_film)
8/30/2019 # Aladdin
