RECENTLY VIEWED: ALADDIN

Like I have written before, all of the movies I seem to see in theaters now are children's movies. Before we went on our Disney World vacation, I took my daughter to see a Disney movie - Aladdin. I was pleasantly surprised by the film. It was better than the recent remake Dumbo, but not as good as the live action Beauty And The Beast.

Aladdin is a 2019 American musical fantasy film directed by Guy Ritchie, who co-wrote the screenplay with John August. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, it is a live action adaptation of Disney's 1992 animated film of the same name, which is based on the eponymous tale from One Thousand and One Nights.The film stars Mena Massoud, Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad and Billy Magnussen, as well as the voices of Alan Tudyk and Frank Welker. The plot follows Aladdin, a street urchin, as he falls in love with Princess Jasmine, befriends a wish-granting Genie, and battles the wicked Jafar.

In October 2016, Disney announced Ritchie would direct a live-action Aladdin remake. Smith was the first member of the cast to join, signing on to portray Genie in July 2017, and Massoud and Scott were confirmed for the two lead roles later that month. Principal photography began that September at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England, also filming in the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan, and lasted until January 2018. Aladdin was theatrically released in the United States on May 24, 2019, and has grossed over $733 million worldwide, becoming the third highest-grossing film of 2019.

The movie is a good movie. The problem with the film is the memory of Robin Williams. Williams did the voice for the 1992 animated version of the story. His version of the Genie, with all its over the top magnificent, is still remembered over 25 years after the film. While Will Smith does a great job as the Genie, and I almost forget William's version, Smith just misses the mark by a little bit. Will Smith's musical talent work well for the musical numbers, but Smith is just no Robin Williams.

Young children may not remember or fully appreciate the Robin Williams version, so they will love this film. I liked the film as well, and when I went to see this film with my daughter I accidentally bought tickets for the 3D showing, so it was an added bonus. A few times Will Smith jumped out right out at me! It's a great story, and a great film for the whole family...

MY RATING: 9 OUT OF 10