Aladdin 2019

Aladdin 2019 is Disney's latest live action remake based on one of their most popular animated films, one that I fondly grew up with and loved. Ever since the film was announced everyone knew it would be impossible to top the 1992 original with Robin Williams, and while that is true it's still a good film. While having the same story it does do things differently such as Jasmine leaving the palace from the start but doing so to know the people, Jafar not disguising himself to convince Aladdin to get the lamp, and what happens to Genie after he's wished free. Most of the changes made were done well and made some sense, though some odd and a few that feel forced at trying to be different. It tells its story well and many of the reused and new songs are just as well done as the animated version. The performances from Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, and the rest of the cast are very powerful. Will Smith's take on Genie is a lot different from Robin's, where instead of doing it as a showy comedian with a lot of pop culture references the new Genie is more of an entertainer that wants to get the specifics right while trying to find the fun in anything. The direction of Aladdin 2019 is good, but Guy Ritchie's usual style isn't present so it's hard to remember a lot of the time that he directed. But still the effects are for the most part really good, especially when dealing with Genie, the set design and production value really makes you believe they're in the desert, and the costumes are beautiful. As for the pacing, there are times when certain scenes happen too quickly and then just go to the next to really enjoy them. Giving Jafar a bigger motivation in which he wants to rule Agrabah because of fear of other kingdoms attacking and having some similarities to Aladdin are great changes and thus foreshadow what Aladdin could have been. So while there are many problems and not on par with the 1992 classic, Aladdin 2019 is still very memorable and on its own is still well done. Over all: 97%

2019 top list so far:
1. Avengers: Endgame

2. Shazam!

3. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

4. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

5. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

6. Us

7. Aladdin 2019

8. Pokemon Detective Pikachu

9. Captain Marvel

10. Pet Sematary 2019

11. The Upside
12. Cold Pursuit
13. Glass