Aladdin
The live-action Disney adaptations have been hit-or-miss so far. Not only is the live-action Aladdin the best of the Disney reboots, but it’s also a better overall film than the animated classic. No performance in this film surpasses the late Robin Williams and his take on the Genie. However, director Guy Ritchie clearly understands and utilizes the elements that made the animated film work, while giving added depth to each of the other characters in the film.
Naomie Scott provides Jasmine with an active motivation that the animated version lacked. In the animated film, Jasmine simply doesn’t want to marry a person she doesn’t love and essentially laments about not having the life she wants. The live-action version presents Jasmine with the same problem, but she handles the situation in a different manner. Scott’s Jasmine wants to be the next Sultan and isn’t interested in marrying a prince who has no connection to Agrabah. This change in the character gives the audience a direction to root for as well as a destination to reach that has little to do with Aladdin and everything to do with Jasmine’s own interests.
“Speechless” is a fantastic addition to Disney’s song catalog and Scott’s vocal performance is only matched by Idina Menzel. Mena Massaud exudes confidence as the street thief version of Aladdin and anxious energy as the prince. The chemistry between Massaud and Will Smith is electric.
Aladdin is the biggest surprise of the year, which is the reason for its inclusion on this list.
If you don’t have anything, you have to act like you own everything.
-Aladdin (Mena Massaud)
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