Aladdin is a common street rat with aspirations of greatness, but after a chance encounter with the beautiful Princess Jasmine, he and his mischievous monkey Abu find themselves... more
spectacular adventures of all times! In the heart of an encharted city a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey Abu battle to save the free-spirited Prinv...
and graphics look great, the characters are strong, the familiar story is nicely augmented with an interesting villain (Jafar, voiced by Jonathan Freeman), and th...
A review by frkurt on Aladdin (DVD) January 13th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Great for kids and adults
Disadvantages:
-
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I have a friend in Bloomington with whom I go to films on a regular basis. We have several genres of films which we prefer, and others with which we will experiment, but animation, particularly Disney, was never among them. However, I've often enjoyed Robin Williams characterisations, and so persuaded my friend Jim (who informed me that I would then owe him the next three film selections) to go to Aladdin. He enjoyed the film, and I loved it. This was a children's film that had entertainment value for adults, too, and crafted the witticism and irony into the dialogue and songs that were incredible.
The primary characters are Aladdin (of course), who becomes Prince Ali Abawa, the Genie of the Lamp (played by an over-the-top Robin Williams), Princess Jasmine (who is only permitted to marry a prince, on her father's orders), Jafar the Grand Vizer (a villainous official who is driven to capture both the sheikdom and the fair Jasmine), the Sultan, and two animal friends of Aladdin, Iago the Parrot and Abu the Monkey. Aladdin lives a hand-to-mouth kind of existence as a young teen-age boy without parents or guardians, but he also seems to be essentially care-free in all of this. Likeable but mischievous, he is well-known throughout the town (which makes it all the more magical when he reappears as Prince Ali and no one seems to make the connection). As fate would have it, Aladdin happens onto a discarded lamp, decides to polish it up, and discovers the Genie, who is a very entertaining and humourous types, granting Aladdin three wishes (with certain restrictions, like 'ix-nay on the wishing for more wishes'!). Aladdin as Prince Ali starts to court the fair Princess Jasmine, whom he had met prior to this as himself, when she was hiding from her father the Sultan, who had arranged a marriage for her. This courtship raises the ire of the Grand Vizer, who comes across the lamp, and, as new possessor of the lamp, has the Genie now at his command.
Kids and adults in the cinema loved this film. Most of the voice talent are Disney 'stock' actors, playing in various Disney-related films, and for the most part not too much else. The primary power acting-wise here is Robin Williams, who one can be justified in thinking he ad-libbed his way through much of the production (although, given the animation requirements, one knows this isn't true). His rapid-fire impersonation changes through songs and situations is a scream, both a delight and a wonderful task at trying to identify all the different personas being created.
However, for this film, it really is the music that makes the film a magical experience, and that is worth the price of admission, and worth the cost of the CD (which I did purchase shortly after seeing the film for the first time).
Alan Menken is the primary composer behind this soundtrack. Working with Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Menken and company produced a Oscar-winning soundtrack with individual songs as winners and nominees ('A friend like me', Williams vocal character tour de force, received a nomination, and the themesong, 'A whole new world', won the award).
Tim Rice (Sir Tim Rice, actually), lyricist, is known for many spectacular productions, including various collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber (again, now titled...), such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. The crafting and care in the songs is evident; erudition is not sparing in this collection, but neither are the songs inaccessible to either children or adults. This, I feel, is the mark of a great talent.
Finally, working on the project was Howard Ashman. Ashman died of AIDS in 1991. He worked on many Disney projects, including Beauty and the Beast. According to the Disney corporation, 'In animation, we have two guardian angels. One is Walt Disney, who continues to touch every frame of our movies. The other is Howard Ashman, who continues to touch every note of our movies.' One of my reasons for originally wanting to see this film is that I had heard of Ashman's connexion with my university, Indiana University -- he received his MFA from that school in the early 1970s. Ashman is also known as the lyricist for 'Little Shop of Horrors', another collaboration with Menken, which, if one watches Aladdin with that in mind, gives a whole new world of impression on the film!
The music makes me laugh and feel good. I am much less prone to aggressive driving if I have this CD in the box in the car! Of course, this is a sappy love story with, in my opinion, a rather silly denouement, but it works for the kids. Of course, the lyrics are, as I indicated, educational: I've had the chance to explain to kids what nom de plume, charge d'affaires, and coterie mean.
Some filmtracks have lifted portions of this music for use as background material, which is another sign of successful composition.
But, by far the high point has to be Robin Williams' vocal flexibility and ingenuity in the characterisation of the Genie. Alternating accents and impressions (at one point doing Edith and Archie Bunker, at another doing William Buckley, etc.) the rapid flow of the voices smoothly across causes me to wonder if the characterisations were improvisational, with the animation produced afterward to fit the flow of the changes.
I recommend this film and its attendant soundtrack most highly to children and to adults who love comedy. It is an interesting treat.
Songs include: - Arabian Nights - One Jump Ahead - Friend Like Me - Prince Ali - A Whole New World
'A Whole New World' has two tracks -- the one of the actual movie scene, performed by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga (who are the 'singing voices' for the film, but not the spoken voices of Aladdin and Jasmine), and the 'radio edit' performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. There are some dozen additional tracks of background/mood/theme-setting music on the CD.
There are additional videos related to the continuing tale of Aladdin, produced by Disney, but none that I have seen match the style and magic of this first one.
...offerings.
The story behind Aladdin centres around the title character - a homeless street urchin living in the city of Agrabah. Whilst on he run from a city guard Aladdin bumps into a girl who also seems to e another of the cities many homeless children, but instead turns out to be the princess who is in hiding from her father after hearing of his plans for her arranged marriage. Aladdin promises to hide her and shows her the best place he knows ... ...an old man he tells Aladdin of the mysterious Cave of Wonders where he will find untold wealth if he can get in and out successfully. Of course Aladdin is interested and enters the Cave where by rubbing an ornate bottle he unleashes Robin William’s insane wise-cracking genie who grants him three wishes...and the rest is an comic adventure where Aladdin tries to win the favour of the sultan, his daughter’s hand in marriage and to stop ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A film for all. Satisfying, Heart-warming, Romantic, Funny and exciting! Disadvantages: none
...of course the Jasmine and Aladdin dolls complete with prince and princess outfits, Abu and a heat reactive lamp which looked clean when you touched it. My mum always makes special cakes and that year my birthday cake was a magic lamp with three wish cup cakes. Each contained a silver charm to add to my charm bracelet. Thats a special memory. Needless to say I wouldn't have got all that as presents and seen it three times if I didn't think it was ... ...my favourite parts is when Aladdin meets the genie for the first time. He's stuck in the depths of the cave of wonders with nothing but the lamp unknowing of what it can do when he wipes it to read the writing and hey presto the genie. He sings 'Friend Like Me'. A good fun, colourful song. I guess I like that song and this film in particular because it allows you to escape from reality and dream. The idea that there could be a world where your wishes ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Disney magic! Disadvantages: None, as long as you're a kid at heart!
...you want?!!
PLOT:
Aladdin is a street rat, befriended only by his constant companion Abu, a very cute little monkey. Together they roam the streets searching for food they can steal to survive and constantly evading the palace guards. At night, they sleep in a rundown room not really fit for anyone but with a wonderful view of the city of Agrabah and the enormous palace that dominates the skyline. Aladdin feels trapped in this existence. He knows ... ...way to advance himself. Aladdin is not the only one who feels trapped. Jasmine is a Princess, the only daughter of the Sultan, and as such has spent her entire life inside the castle walls. Her constant companion is Raja, a suprisingly well-tempered tiger who chases away the multitude of princely suitors that come to claim Jasmine as their bride. By law, she must be married off before her fast approaching birthday. Knowing this, the Sultan is becoming ...
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Advantages: Fun,entertainment, re watch again and again. bous disc Disadvantages: None
...the genre of the film Aladdin help it appeal to a wide audiences and not just children.
Walt Disney, one of the best companies in family entertainment produced Aladdin. It has produced lots animated films , including Bambi (1942), The Jungle Book (1967), and The Lion King (1994). Also produced or co produced a lot of live-action films, ranging from Mary Poppins (1964) to Pulp Fiction (1994) which was made by Miramax (their subsidiary company). I ... ...genre do this in Aladdin? Aladdin is the archetypal battle between good and evil with a twist, the genie and this is one of the reasons I love Aladdin. Aladdin meets the narrative theory of Propp, as it is a fairy tale, that there are 8 character roles and 31 functions that move the story on. You can see some of this in the sequence I have chosen in my sequence there is the 'princess' (Jasmine) the 'hero' (Aladdin) and The 'helper' (Genie and the ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: great for all the family Disadvantages: addictive viewing
...films.
The story of Aladdin is brought to life with the fantasitc vocal talents of Robin Williams as the Genie.
The Story
Aladdin is a street kid, who finds a magic lamp that when rubbed, a genie will grant you any three wishes you want. The one wish Aladdin wants is for the Princess to love him, but that' a wish the Genie is forbidden to grant. So, Aladdin must find a way to get near hear and win her heart...
The Graphics
Absolutely fantasitc. ... ...The relationship between him and Aladdin starts off shacky as he's tricked into giving away a freebie, but soon becomes very fond of the luck struck lad. With the power to do anything, - with three exceptions!, - he gives Aladdin his best chance of winning the Princess's heart by turning him into a Prince. This is the funniest character of the film and I think the one with the most depth.
Jafar
The evil advisor to the Sultan. Along with his parrot, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: One of the best disney movies, great for childeren and adults Disadvantages: getting addicted
...This movie is follwing the original aladdin in whih aladin fall in love with lets say a girl who in real life would be out of reach, but with grave parel and bravery he fights evil and wins.
This secound movie of aladdin starts with the preperation of aladdin and jasmine's wedding which is then intruded by the forty theives who steal things and create havoc surprised- 40 theives. Anyway aladdin again fights bravely and accidently finds the secret hide out of the forty theives where he finds out a terrible yet wonderful truth about the leader of the forty theives.
Aladin then sets off to find the ultimate treasure with the leader and believe they find much more.
The end is happy and sad.To find out about the rest of the story buy it and then watch it.
This great tale filled with romance, laughter and fun.
Enjoy this movie with your...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: humourous,inventive,great for children Disadvantages: your kids might like it TOO much!
.../pixar collaboration classic.
I love this film,I loved it then and I still love it now,even if it does occasionally wear a little thin. It is entertaining for all ages and as a U rating is suitable for all. My daughter is two and as you know happily watches this film over and over again. There is lots of humour on many levels so all us adults and children at heart will find things to laugh at too.
The storyline,though pretty predictable does roll along well and keeps your interest, you might know how things will end up but you won't guess what happens in the middle to make those things happen! A ground breaking and incredibly popular Disney film. This is already a classic and compares favourably to other Disney classics like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.
Prices vary, A brand new video costs £13:49 at amazon and a DVD is £18:99 but you can...
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Advantages: Great animation, childhood memories Disadvantages: None, I love this!
...a kind and gentle soul. Gaston, however, persuades the villagers that the Beast is a serious threat, planning on killing them all in their sleep. As a result, the villagers head to the castle to kill the Beast while Belle and her father are locked away in their cellar, unable to warn the Beast of the impending danger.
Will the villagers kill the Beast? Will horrible Gaston get his comeuppance? Will the Beast and his friends ever be human again? Will Belle be able to reveal her love in time, or at all? Well, it’s a Disney film so what do you think?
THE CAST (VOICES):
BELLE: Paige O’Hara
BEAST: Robby Benson
GASTON: Richard White
LUMIERE: Jerry Orbach
COGSWORTH: David Ogden Sties
MRS POTTS: Angela Lansbury
CHIP: Bradley Michael Pierce
MAURICE: Rex Everhart
THE DVD:
This was Disney’s first attempt at a Special Edition, soon...
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Plot: A restored and remastered version of the classic Walt Disney children's classic ALADDIN. Includes the track 'A Whole New World' sung by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. Music by Tim Rice and Alan Menken.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, WALT DISNEY HOME VIDEO; WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM
No of Discs: 2
Release date: 04/10/2004
Voice: Robin Williams
Catalogue No: BED 881464
Barcode: 5017188814645
DVD Description
Aladdin is a common street rat with aspirations of greatness, but after a chance encounter with the beautiful Princess Jasmine, he and his mischievous monkey Abu find themselves battling to save her life and the palace--with a little help from Genie of course. Join them and take a magic carpet ride through a fireworks display of incredible animation in this unforgettable Disney classic.
Languages
Main Language: English
Subtitle Language: Spanish, Norwegian, Danish, English
Hearing Impaired Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Special Edition - Musical Masterpieces, Lyric book, Music modes, Downloadable song
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29.04.2005
07.09.2004
