What is it about Disney films that keeps you enthralled and dreaming of a land beyond our reality? One perfect example is Aladdin, a tale of a wondrous place, a beautiful strong princess and magic. When you think of Aladdin you think of the song “A Whole New World”, the magic lamp, the Genie, and of course, the beautiful love story between a poor boy and a princess. Not only is it an entertaining tale it also teaches valuable lessons of life, friendship, trust and love.
The two leads are quite unknown. I agree with the choice of actress (Naomi Scott) for Princess Jasmine and the actor (Mena Massoud) for Aladdin fits the bill perfectly but is not as attractive as I was expecting him to be. If you compare the cartoon version to the live action one the physical similarities are there though. The thing is if you want to enjoy the live action version it’s best not to compare it to the classic Disney cartoon.
Almost two decades after its first theatrical release, the Disney classic gets a much-awaited reimagining with renowned film director and screenwriter Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E) at the helm.
Inspired by the different elements and architectures of Middle East and South Asia, the real-life Agrabah was portrayed as a vibrant city of colors, cultures, and sounds. The famed Cave of Wonders also comes alive through a combination of practical sets and visual effects work. The interiors, including the gigantic lion’s head at the cave entrance and the rock formations, were all built on sound stages at a production studio in England.
***SPOILER ALERT BELOW***
Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Company
I thought Will Smith was perfect as Genie. He brings the pizzazz, energy and wit that is the Genie. I loved the extra story line they gave him and the happy ending he finally got.
Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Company
It’s a different world today and princesses are no longer needing to be saved in fact they can also do the saving. The fact that Princess Jasmine becomes the Sultan of Agrabah is already a statement on it’s own letting the world know that even the dated ideas of princesses just being pretty, soft and silent are far gone.
Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Company
Lessons from Aladdin
Life
Whatever life may hand you, only you have the power to change it. You can accept what you’ve been dealt with and create a better and more meaningful life or you can wallow and not progress. What would you choose?
Aladdin, although poor and having to be a thief just to survive holds on to hope. A hope for a better life and love. I try to do the same…
Friendship
A life without friendships isn’t much of a fun life at all. It’s definitely meaningless if you don’t have people that love you and look out for you.
The friendship that formed between Aladdin and the Genie was heartwarming and I admit I cried when Aladdin made his last wish.
Trust
This can be trust in your self like Princess Jasmine did. From the start she knew she had the mind, strength and embodiment of what was needed to be a sultan of a great land such as theirs.
Now we might now have to live up to the same level as she does but we all have to believe in ourselves and trust in our talents and worth.
Love
They say love can surpass anything. A poor boy and a princess is the ultimate cliche isn’t it but eat it up! We just love the dynamic of how love overcomes statures and such.
Aladdin is now showing in theatres!
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