Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
2/4
Not enough street cred for street rat and Genie
Cavernstones - wrote on 09/05/2019
No. Just no. Will Smith may be a great artist as he does have great charm, but he is seriously miscast here. His lack of singing talent combined with the first half of the movie where he was trying too hard to make it his own role derailed some of the magic this film may have generated. Maybe Disney was trying to target a younger audience than the original animated movie, because those under 13 likely don't care about that blatant street American sounding of the lines. Jafar also never really attains the presence and maniacal power that the esteemed Johnathan Freeman brought to the role originally.
On the positive side, Naomi Scott confidently soars as Princess Jasmine in a more contemporary version of a role model for woman of all ages. Her voice glides and is always in touch with …
Rating of
2.5/4
Aladdin (2019) - Review
Matthew Brady - wrote on 06/03/2019
Some things are best left animated.
It lacks the energy and magic from the 1992 movie, which is strange to me because with Guy Ritchie directing I expected some chaos - just watch 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' or any other movie he directed. Also, Jafar sucks in this movie and it isn't Marwan Kenzari, just painfully miscast. The visual effects...yeah, lets not go there.
However, it is entertaining enough to sit through. Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine really makes the role her own, especially during the musical segments. Mena Massoud is fine as Aladdin, but at times I felt like he tried to duplicate the animated version a little bit too much.
Will Smith as the Genie is easily the best part of the movie. Despite not having a solid singing voice, but Smith's charm shines …
Rating of
2.5/4
Solid if slavish remake of Arabian Nights tale.
Indyfreak - wrote on 05/28/2019
Guy Ritchie's effects heavy remake of the Disney classic is a colorful warmhearted family adventure that improves some elements of the 1992 animated film. But unfortunately, lags far behind in other respects.
The faifthfulness to the original cartoon is admirable overall. The exotic setting of Agrabah is beautiful to look at and the costumes are lovely. Ritchie is less ott in his direction than his earlier fantasy effort, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
Contrary to online anxieties, Will Smith is pretty good as the Genie-mainly in his live action self. Once viewers get past the elephant in the room that Robin Williams is irreplaceable. In fact, the only jarring moments in his portrayal are when Smith references Williams' iconic performance. Mena Massoud is serviceable as Aladdin …
