BSA 204 W15 : Aladdin (1992) Review

I watched the original Aladdin movie after seeing the new one because I was interested to see what changed and to see if it's a better movie.



Thing is I don't generally like the animated Disney movies all that much (Pixar I love, Disney Animation Studios not as much), they always feel rushed and too quickly paced.

I found that to be true with Aladdin as well, I think the first half or so was very good and took it's time establishing each character, its a proper amount of time before we even get to the genie. I like this the most about this film and its remake, each has space to breath and introduce the characters, building their motivations and presenting their situations in interesting ways.

Aladdin is introduced stealing food and singing a song about not having anything so he has to steal, it's a great scene because it introduces him as being instantly likable, which for a character that is essentially just a common thief is quite the achievement. They do this by giving him a low status, a situation he can't solve by any other means and of course the signature Disney trait of wanting more from life (which the song slows down to appropriately convey). And of course there is the classic 'Save the Cat' example where he gives away his hard stolen bread to a couple of orphan kids who are hungry - making him just an all round good guy.

Jasmine and Jafar are each introduced separate from the main character, I think this omniscient form of storytelling can be very good at building anticipation for what is to come as well as making us sympathize with each individual as much as possible. Game of Thrones does this as well, seeing the storylines overlap and the characters meet is one of the most satisfying elements of that show, I think its a reincorporation that also makes a series like the Avengers a very easy sell.



A big difference between Disney's two tellings of Aladdin is that in the original Jasmine is introduced in the palace first and then goes out in disguise, the new version jumps straight to her in disguise and I don't think this was a bad change. The strange thing is that unlike the other changes in the movie I can't tell if this was a positive or negative change, its just kind of there. When I was watching the original I was taken aback a bit and worried that they wouldn't do the same 'sneaking out of the castle' thing, but they did so whatever. I don't think it changes much, I liked both, although one change that I am on the fence about was that Jasmine and Jafar meet Aladdin separately.

In the original there is a scene where Jafar is looking into the sands of time and sees that Aladdin is the diamond in the rough, then by pure coincidence Jasmine meets him and starts building a relationship. Jafar is probably the most different in the two versions, this change is two sided - one one hand I think it is much better for him to be killing off as many thieves as he can in his search for the diamond and it feels much more realistic for Aladdin to be captured when he goes to return Jasmine's jewelery at the castle, on the other hand I like seeing Jafar use more magic. When the sands of time scene happened I liked the incorporation of the hourglass thing but it was mainly effective because it shows that Jafar is a real sorcerer. The movie made him very weak in his powers, especially before wishing to be the most powerful sorcerer - he tries to mind control the sultan a couple of times but never actually achieves it until late in the movie, as he's always interrupted. He appears weak and inadequate.

But there are enough other examples of Jafar using magic in this version that I think the better option for Jafar and Aladdin's meeting would have been the way they new movie did it. I like that its a realistic scenario, it makes Jafar seem more cruel and ruthless and more than anything else it actually makes Aladdin a more attractive and exciting character. The little bit with her seeing him as a thief is good because as an audience we know this not to be true - it feels unjust and we naturally react in disapproval as we understand the character isn't the way he is being seen by others (the original has a similar scene to this in the faking of his death, where Jasmine thinks he is dead, but the new version does a better job at motivating Aladdin's actions).

Having Aladdin captured because of his own actions - in the quest to win Jasmine's love - is also much more effective than just having him caught on the streets. Having a character pay for their actions, even if their motivations were just, is a great way to create drama.



So there are some areas where the newer version definitely exceed the original, but also some where the older is superior. Overall I still feel like the story that the writers came up with here deserves more, but these films were enjoyable with amazing music so can't complain too much.

Would love to make something with such a good set of characters, with relatable protagonists and an enjoyably evil villain. Biggest surprise about these films was how small of a role the Genie really plays, taking him out could still result in a great story because the characters are so well realised.

And another thing! The sidekick animals, especially Abu worked really well here because they played as both detriments and aid to the characters. The monkey saves Aladdin a lot - to a point where it could start feeling like a bit of a Deus Ex Machina, but the writers avoid this by 1) never letting Aladdin off the hook completely and 2) having the monkey also be a pain the ass at times. Case and point: In the cave scene the monkey fucks up everything by grabbing a jewel, sending a place toppling, but it is also the reason why Aladdin ends up with the lamp as it steals it from Jafar last minute. Good stuff, it makes the addition of the animal feel like a real addition to the story - again actions and consequences.