Aladdin - Movie Review

In the far away kingdom of Agrabah, Aladddin roams the streets stealing to survive when he one day sees a woman getting in trouble by giving food to starving kids. Aladdin helps the woman who is Princess Jasmine though she tells him that she is Dalia the Princess' handmaiden. At the same time a new suitor arrives to Agrabah to meet Princess Jasmine and ask for her hand in marriage which leads to Jasmine hurrying back to the castle and Aladdin left with her bracelet and a desire to meet her again. He sneaks into the palads where Jafar, the grand vizier, captures him. Jafar offers Aladdin a deal; he will get all the money he wishes for if he ventures into the Cave of Wonders and retrieve an old oil lamp. But Jafar betrays Aladdin and traps him in the cave the very moment he gets hold of the lamp. Lucky for Aladdin, his monkey Abu is a quick thief and steals the lamp back before getting trapped with Aladdin in the cave. From the lamp Aladdin summons a Genie that gives him three wishes and now he wants to get back and get the Princess he loves.
The movie is a lot like the old Cartoon movie from 1992 except that many small details has been rewritten. Not that it had been necessary the original story is quite coherent but there must have been a reason for the rewrite. With the rewrite there has also been added new details like from where Jasmine's mother came and Aladdin mentions his parents. It gives a little more to the story but not much. There has also been added a new song for Jasmine about how she will not be oppressed and stay silent. Jasmine has always been a Princess who fights against the female oppression. She does not need a man to rule her kingdom and neither money or power impresses her. And now with this song she voices her internal struggle and thoughts where she earlier just showed action. But it also feels like Jasmine is a little less of a symbol of female power. She is more hesitant and lets Jafar oppress her more than she did in the old movie.
This movie shows a lot more culture giving Agrabah a more natural feel of a real place. There are dances and new clothing more relevant to the geographical location of the story. For example Jasmine now wears a full dress and not just a small crop top.
Many was at first glance on the trailer not happy about Will Smith taking on the role of Genie. Robin Williams left a big legacy to pick up and the news was therefore not well received. But Will Smith is a great Genie and has probably always been a valid choice for the role. Either people has forgotten how great Will Smith is or they just did not want anyone but Robin Williams. Generally it is a good cast for the movie. Personally I think Jafar has a little too smooth a voice, I would have liked it to be more villainous and deep like the old Jafar. And I would have liked the Sultan to be more of a confused old man easily manipulated by Jafar. But that is just personal preferences.
It is a really good movie that left me with a lingering feeling of empowerment and confidence. It is very humorous and delightful, good for the whole family. The movie could have been a little more and have a little more power. So I will give it four and a half star out of five.