*As Annie and the remain members of Team Blast, head back to earth, they're no other option left and just except that half living of the universe are killed off*
Annie: This is just very disappointing, we expected to get the stones to bring back where we used to be, but all we get is nothing to do without these.
Bryan Emmerich: *sighs* I know, i don't have a time powers, i have limits of elemental powers.
Eric Blakron: We better moving...
Annie: Yeah, i am not very happy about what it happened, thanks for giving me nothing...! *walks away*
Sally Ukrone: Well... Now what?
*review starts*
Hey everyone, my name is Annie and welcome back to movie review.
Like i said, 2019 is gonna be a whole lot of remake films that they really want to cashing in for modern viewers, but as far as we know, many filmmakers are running out of ideas to just rebooting the classic films, some are good or others just plain god awful.
Last time, i already covered "Dumbo 2019" that Tim Burton visioned his own remake, its rather good idea, but failed for rushed story and some lame characters, its just a painfully average film that we don't know why Tim Burton made this. But after that, we're gonna have a second reboot, this time with one of the classic film of Disney Renaissance era after "Beauty and The Beast".
"Aladdin 2019" is... Well, a 2019 musical fantasy remake of 1992 classic, written/directed by Guy Ritchie, produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, then co-written by John August.
When this remake was announced, it was easily unlikely to be a good one, which some might say its gonna be like a same element of remake of "Beauty and The Beast" to just follow the main story and bring back the musical, and adding some new elements whether if its good or plain questionable. Either that or maybe its because we got distracted with previous trailer with Will Smith as Genie, which i was one of those people aren't sure if he's likable as Robin Williams's role. Or maybe he could have a good performance?
So, with all that said, will this movie has a wish come true for a good remake, or is this film deserved to be banished by the cave of wonder?
Well, lets find out.
The Story
With the movie based on the folk tales called "One Thousand and One Nights", you expected that it could follow the same story as the 1992 version. Well, yes and no.
Instead of starting with merchant telling you the story, it was the mariner tells the story with two kids in the beginning. Once the tale starts, it begins where Jafar's thief pal enters the Cave of Wonder, but ended up being killed, Then it quickly changed to introducing our main hero Aladdin (along with his monkey pal Abu), a street urchin who's hiding around to steal something while first meeting Jasmine who hides her identity that she's a princess, which she got tired being in life sheltered. After Aladdin get caught for being trespassing Sultan's palace, he was asked by the Royal Vizier, Jafar to not just leaving the town of Agrabah, but also demanding him to get the magic lamp from the Cave of Wonder. But Aladdin, Abu and his new friend, magic carpet get stuck in the cave, but still got the lamp to tricking Jafar, once Aladdin dust the lamp off, it magically summons Genie of the lamp after spending 10 thousand years and granting our main hero for three wishes ( you know,like any Genies out there), its up to Aladdin for find the path to be a big deal in Agrabah.
Though like "Beauty and The Beast", im rather fine for keeping the same story from the original that we all know. But the big problem of the story is the first act, mainly because it skipped several moments that we like, such as the first introduced the Cave of Wonder and then "One Jump Ahead" scene. I mean i get they wanted to let us know from the original, but what happened to the newcomers? They'll probably confused from the quick pacing in the beginning, it just comes off badly paced and probably questionable direction. The movie also gives us some new subplot, such as the bracelets that Jasmine was wearing since her dead mother (which is rather nice, but rather cliche for wearing an accessory from dead parents) and a new relationship, but with Genie and Jasmine's handmaiden named Dalia, thats fine for that, but the downside is the main focus is Aladdin and Jasmine, making the new relationship rather unnecessary for the main plot.
Though the story followed up nicely, but poorly executed for the pacing and poorly direction. While some subplots are a mixed bag.
The Presentation
for a live action remake, the presentation itself is rather have a nice stuff, but with a flawed effects.
For starter, the setting and the filming location are pretty nice to see, since it was filmed in Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan and the designg setting was done by Gemma Jackson, the same designer with the show "Game of Throne". Its pretty cool place what they show us, though sometimes most locationg is done with CG.
Speaking of CGI, its rather a mixed bag for the presentation of CG effects. Some part are rather good at first, with some flying scene, especially with the "A whole new world" segment, which i have to admit, it looks wonderful for the visual. But other times just looks either cheap or so wrong. Likely the CG animation visual of Abu and magic carpet, they look so video game-ish what they're trying to look realistic, but the detail just doesn't work, except for Iago, he looks ok. But don't even give me started with Will Smith's Genie, which i get they want him look from animated version, which its rather obvious that he's done with motion capture, but once again, it was poorly executed that somes it work, but other times a it creepy.
But to be fair, aside from good setting and location, at least some of the wardrobe are pretty cool, for Arabian setting, which making them look colorful, i love it. Some of action scenes has some nice stunt, especially with "One Jump Ahead" segment.
Speaking of the song, i find them are rather good, though i like the classic version they all of them are pretty damn good to listen to, here, i find them are simply good. Though i have to give a credit for the good singing performance like Mena Massoud, Will Smith and Naomi Scott. Some songs are pretty good like "One Jump Ahead" and the fan favorite "A whole new world", come on, how could you not forget the classics. Though, Will Smith's "Friend like me" and "Prince Ali" are good, but not as perfect as Robin Williams's version. For added bonus, Alan Menken returned to compose the soundtrack of this remake, which is nice for his return. Though, it has a new song called "Speechless" for Jasmine, which i find it to be "meh", its about where Jasmine's feeling for again, living in sheltered life. But the downside is that they don't even doe the reprise of Prince Ali for Jafar, aw well, i guess im ok without it.
One more thing that il give a quick fact, during the song sequence of "Prince Ali", they're over 1000 dancers and extras, which is pretty impressive in this segment, and i gotta say, they did a pretty good job for the choreograph.
The presentation is rather good for some effect, the location/setting and some songs, but one new song is average and the CG are very bad that they could've finalized before released on theaters.
The Characters
Im sure we're familiar with the characters in the original version, with this remake, they have some upgrade, though some remain the same. But of course, it has some new characters.
First is our titular hero Aladdin (played by Mena Massoud), as we know, he's a sefless and dreamer thief that he likes to be in the palace. But of course as he eventually become the price to the palace, he was a bit nervous for his presentation, which i have to admit, i know how he feels, especially for how he tries to impress Jasmine. Its rather relating when he became the prince. But for newcomer like Mena, i think he did a nice work of his role.
Next up is Will Smith's Genie, i have nothing against Will Smith, he is a fascinating actor since the 90's, some good or some flop. But with his role of Genie, he's rather not bad, i get his appearance is to pay homage of Robin Williams. He's eccentric and comedic, which i have to admit, i did chuckle of his moment, but i hate to say everyone, his performance is rather foreshadowed that Will Smith is being Will Smith. Sorry Will, im stick to Williams's best role.
Then we have Jasmine (played by Naomi Scott), an independent princess, strong and feisty. Though she may not have not a similar beauty of the classic, but i find her to be an interesting princess, though like Aladdin, she could be relate-able, since she's very bored in again, living in sheltered life in the palace to see the prince, whether she likes it or not. Which in fairness, even though she remains the same, but i find Scott did a nice work of her role.
And then we have the main antagonist, Jafar (played by Marwan Kenzari), a nefarious and manipulative sorcerer who's had enough of being the "second best" in Sultan's palace. Well, i hate to say that, i find him to be a forgettable villain than the original, its as if he's trying so hard to be a threatening villain who wants to taking over Agrabah, he's more a bit calm than a bit serious. So, like Will Smith's Genie, the remake version of Jafar isn't the best version what we expected.
The rest of the original characters are The Sultan (played by Navid Negahban) who's more wiser and noble ruler than being a dim-witted in the original that im fine with it and Iago (voiced by Alan Tudyk) who's a sardonic and smart parrot, but wasn't as fun than Gilbert Gottfried's role.
As for the new characters, they're only two that we noticed, first is Dalia (played by Nasim Pedrad), who's a new girl in Agrabah that she's a loyal and confidante handmaiden for Jasmine. and like i said, she was used as a subplot for a relation of human form of Genie, its nice to have a new one, but its rather unnecessary for the main plot. There's Hakim (played by Numan Acar), the head guard of the palace that he's just there to showing a new character. And there's Prince Anders (played by Billy Magnussen) who's basically the replacer of arrogant Achmed, but once again, not important to tell him.
The main couple like Aladdin and Jasmine are more likable and relating like the original. Despite Genie is ok, but Jafar wasn't the best version of main antagonist. While some new characters are ok at the time.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Aladdin 2019 is rather above average. Just rather a good remake, the story is followed up, but questionable for the pacing and direction, the presentation are mixed bag, especially for some bad CG and the characters are ok. But to be fair, the songs (minus "Speechless"), are nice to hear, some are good and others are unforgettable, specially for a good singing performances.
Even if its not the best remake than "The Jungle Book 2016", but at least its not as painfully average as Tim Burton's Dumbo. If you're a fan of classic version, maybe this one is for you. Otherwise, stick to the 1992 version.
For my rating, i give this movie a 6/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Annie, signing out.
(Review ends)
*knocks knocks*
Annie: Huh, i wonder who's coming to my home. *walks in to open the door* Hello?
???: Ah there you are, i just want you to come back to Team Blast's world, because i found the plan to change back.
Annie: Huh?? How did you know them?
To be continued...
With the movie based on the folk tales called "One Thousand and One Nights", you expected that it could follow the same story as the 1992 version. Well, yes and no.
Instead of starting with merchant telling you the story, it was the mariner tells the story with two kids in the beginning. Once the tale starts, it begins where Jafar's thief pal enters the Cave of Wonder, but ended up being killed, Then it quickly changed to introducing our main hero Aladdin (along with his monkey pal Abu), a street urchin who's hiding around to steal something while first meeting Jasmine who hides her identity that she's a princess, which she got tired being in life sheltered. After Aladdin get caught for being trespassing Sultan's palace, he was asked by the Royal Vizier, Jafar to not just leaving the town of Agrabah, but also demanding him to get the magic lamp from the Cave of Wonder. But Aladdin, Abu and his new friend, magic carpet get stuck in the cave, but still got the lamp to tricking Jafar, once Aladdin dust the lamp off, it magically summons Genie of the lamp after spending 10 thousand years and granting our main hero for three wishes ( you know,like any Genies out there), its up to Aladdin for find the path to be a big deal in Agrabah.
Though like "Beauty and The Beast", im rather fine for keeping the same story from the original that we all know. But the big problem of the story is the first act, mainly because it skipped several moments that we like, such as the first introduced the Cave of Wonder and then "One Jump Ahead" scene. I mean i get they wanted to let us know from the original, but what happened to the newcomers? They'll probably confused from the quick pacing in the beginning, it just comes off badly paced and probably questionable direction. The movie also gives us some new subplot, such as the bracelets that Jasmine was wearing since her dead mother (which is rather nice, but rather cliche for wearing an accessory from dead parents) and a new relationship, but with Genie and Jasmine's handmaiden named Dalia, thats fine for that, but the downside is the main focus is Aladdin and Jasmine, making the new relationship rather unnecessary for the main plot.
Though the story followed up nicely, but poorly executed for the pacing and poorly direction. While some subplots are a mixed bag.
The Presentation
for a live action remake, the presentation itself is rather have a nice stuff, but with a flawed effects.
For starter, the setting and the filming location are pretty nice to see, since it was filmed in Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan and the designg setting was done by Gemma Jackson, the same designer with the show "Game of Throne". Its pretty cool place what they show us, though sometimes most locationg is done with CG.
Speaking of CGI, its rather a mixed bag for the presentation of CG effects. Some part are rather good at first, with some flying scene, especially with the "A whole new world" segment, which i have to admit, it looks wonderful for the visual. But other times just looks either cheap or so wrong. Likely the CG animation visual of Abu and magic carpet, they look so video game-ish what they're trying to look realistic, but the detail just doesn't work, except for Iago, he looks ok. But don't even give me started with Will Smith's Genie, which i get they want him look from animated version, which its rather obvious that he's done with motion capture, but once again, it was poorly executed that somes it work, but other times a it creepy.
But to be fair, aside from good setting and location, at least some of the wardrobe are pretty cool, for Arabian setting, which making them look colorful, i love it. Some of action scenes has some nice stunt, especially with "One Jump Ahead" segment.
Speaking of the song, i find them are rather good, though i like the classic version they all of them are pretty damn good to listen to, here, i find them are simply good. Though i have to give a credit for the good singing performance like Mena Massoud, Will Smith and Naomi Scott. Some songs are pretty good like "One Jump Ahead" and the fan favorite "A whole new world", come on, how could you not forget the classics. Though, Will Smith's "Friend like me" and "Prince Ali" are good, but not as perfect as Robin Williams's version. For added bonus, Alan Menken returned to compose the soundtrack of this remake, which is nice for his return. Though, it has a new song called "Speechless" for Jasmine, which i find it to be "meh", its about where Jasmine's feeling for again, living in sheltered life. But the downside is that they don't even doe the reprise of Prince Ali for Jafar, aw well, i guess im ok without it.
One more thing that il give a quick fact, during the song sequence of "Prince Ali", they're over 1000 dancers and extras, which is pretty impressive in this segment, and i gotta say, they did a pretty good job for the choreograph.
The presentation is rather good for some effect, the location/setting and some songs, but one new song is average and the CG are very bad that they could've finalized before released on theaters.
The Characters
Im sure we're familiar with the characters in the original version, with this remake, they have some upgrade, though some remain the same. But of course, it has some new characters.
First is our titular hero Aladdin (played by Mena Massoud), as we know, he's a sefless and dreamer thief that he likes to be in the palace. But of course as he eventually become the price to the palace, he was a bit nervous for his presentation, which i have to admit, i know how he feels, especially for how he tries to impress Jasmine. Its rather relating when he became the prince. But for newcomer like Mena, i think he did a nice work of his role.
Next up is Will Smith's Genie, i have nothing against Will Smith, he is a fascinating actor since the 90's, some good or some flop. But with his role of Genie, he's rather not bad, i get his appearance is to pay homage of Robin Williams. He's eccentric and comedic, which i have to admit, i did chuckle of his moment, but i hate to say everyone, his performance is rather foreshadowed that Will Smith is being Will Smith. Sorry Will, im stick to Williams's best role.
Then we have Jasmine (played by Naomi Scott), an independent princess, strong and feisty. Though she may not have not a similar beauty of the classic, but i find her to be an interesting princess, though like Aladdin, she could be relate-able, since she's very bored in again, living in sheltered life in the palace to see the prince, whether she likes it or not. Which in fairness, even though she remains the same, but i find Scott did a nice work of her role.
And then we have the main antagonist, Jafar (played by Marwan Kenzari), a nefarious and manipulative sorcerer who's had enough of being the "second best" in Sultan's palace. Well, i hate to say that, i find him to be a forgettable villain than the original, its as if he's trying so hard to be a threatening villain who wants to taking over Agrabah, he's more a bit calm than a bit serious. So, like Will Smith's Genie, the remake version of Jafar isn't the best version what we expected.
The rest of the original characters are The Sultan (played by Navid Negahban) who's more wiser and noble ruler than being a dim-witted in the original that im fine with it and Iago (voiced by Alan Tudyk) who's a sardonic and smart parrot, but wasn't as fun than Gilbert Gottfried's role.
As for the new characters, they're only two that we noticed, first is Dalia (played by Nasim Pedrad), who's a new girl in Agrabah that she's a loyal and confidante handmaiden for Jasmine. and like i said, she was used as a subplot for a relation of human form of Genie, its nice to have a new one, but its rather unnecessary for the main plot. There's Hakim (played by Numan Acar), the head guard of the palace that he's just there to showing a new character. And there's Prince Anders (played by Billy Magnussen) who's basically the replacer of arrogant Achmed, but once again, not important to tell him.
The main couple like Aladdin and Jasmine are more likable and relating like the original. Despite Genie is ok, but Jafar wasn't the best version of main antagonist. While some new characters are ok at the time.
And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Aladdin 2019 is rather above average. Just rather a good remake, the story is followed up, but questionable for the pacing and direction, the presentation are mixed bag, especially for some bad CG and the characters are ok. But to be fair, the songs (minus "Speechless"), are nice to hear, some are good and others are unforgettable, specially for a good singing performances.
Even if its not the best remake than "The Jungle Book 2016", but at least its not as painfully average as Tim Burton's Dumbo. If you're a fan of classic version, maybe this one is for you. Otherwise, stick to the 1992 version.
For my rating, i give this movie a 6/10.
So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Annie, signing out.
(Review ends)
*knocks knocks*
Annie: Huh, i wonder who's coming to my home. *walks in to open the door* Hello?
???: Ah there you are, i just want you to come back to Team Blast's world, because i found the plan to change back.
Annie: Huh?? How did you know them?
To be continued...
