Moreover, the filmmakers have come up with a framing device that brings a bit more heart and resonance to the role, and indeed the movie in general.īeyond that, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, respectively, effectively carry the movie. Much of the advance focus was on Will Smith and the blue-ness of it all, but his Genie manages to straddle a line between Robin Williams’ irrepressible animated antics and the theatrical Broadway version. It’s hardly a whole new world, but in this suddenly well-populated land of live-action reboots, makes the most out of its familiar one. Chalk it up to modest expectations – starting with early previews that rubbed people the wrong way – but “Aladdin” is a great deal of fun, with charming leads and elaborately mounted songs.
