Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ cast charms and dazzles

It seems Disney has been granted three wishes for Aladdin, a successful animated feature, a wildly popular Broadway play, and now as fast as you can say “Nanu-Nanu,” a blockbuster live-action feature. Oh yeah, they also made a small fortune (by Disney standards) on each one. A whole new world indeed!

Actually, the whole new world is a refreshing multi-ethnic cast that charms and dazzles from the initial scenes uncorked by the fresh prince himself, Will Smith, filling the pointy gold shoes of the iconic genie played by the late Robin Williams. Williams created his genie as a version of himself as he appeared on most any late night talk show program.

Smith has chosen to not mimic Williams’ schtick at all but to just be himself. Fortunately, Smith comes equipped with a huge personality and his own popular schtick that he carries to this role. Even when uttering the exact same lines, the character is wonderfully different. Director Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes”), who co-wrote with John August, honors the original but re-imagines this version as more current, colorful and romantic.

“Aladdin” is visually and musically spectacular, but also an exciting adventure and can be a genuinely emotional experience. This “kid-flick” is entertaining for the entire family but just might resonate even more with some adults. All the original songs are included but there are a couple of new songs that fit in well with the live action storyline.

The charismatic Mena Massoud and beautiful Naomi Scott star as Aladdin and Jasmine. Each is so likable individually, but together, they generate an instant on-screen chemistry and empathy towards their respective challenges. The elaborately produced “Busby Berkeley” song and dance numbers are remarkable, worth the price of admission alone and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Sure, we all know the story, but there are few changes in the dialog that actually improve the storyline and make it all seem new again, even (or especially) for the fan base. To many, this is a repeat, but remember, the 1992 original was over a quarter of a century ago, so this movie could be new to the younger generation.

Nasim Padrad offers some comic relief as Dalia, Jasmine’s handmaiden, asking sarcastically, “A handsome prince wants to marry you, when will life get easier?” Meanwhile, 25-year-old Marwan Kenzari portrays the evil Grand Vizier, Jafar. Seemingly a little young for the role, Patrick Stewart (“X-Men”) had lobbied for the role he regretted turning down back in 1992. Meanwhile, Kenzari is now being called “Hot Jafar.”

In this Mid-Eastern setting, the filmmakers took an extensive call to cast the major roles to an Egyptian-Canadian, Anglo-Indian, African-American, Dutch-Tunisian, Iranian-American and Turkish-German. Production designer Gemma Jackson drew inspiration for the gorgeous Agrabah scenery from Moroccan, Persian and Turkish cultures.

In a salute to the original, the genie shows Aladdin a floating scroll containing a drawing of Aladdin, the genie and the Sultan from the original animated feature (1992). Then, when Aladdin asks the genie if he can make him a prince, the genie creates a prince dressed in pink and lime green, same colors as the title logo of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

“Aladdin” is 128 minutes and rated PG for action and peril. This live-action version is much more lively and touchingly romantic than the original. Interesting that Massoud, as Aladdin, was born a year before Scott, as Jasmine was born a year after the original release. In today’s world, it was a nice touch to add a little more female empowerment into the theme as well.

We speak of the original story of rugs to riches, as if it all began in 1992 with the Disney animated classic. But, the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp has been around for centuries. Yet, we can safely conclude that over the last 25 or so years, the mouse can tunefully boast, “You ain’t never had a friend like me!”

Ron’s Rating: A Leigh’s Rating: B+