"Aladdin" (2019)

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For those of us who were around for the 1992 Disney animated feature of Aladdin (I was six) it was in the era of the major hits of Disney films. We had The Little Mermaid in '89, Beauty and the Beast had just blew our minds with its amazing music the year before and we were getting teaser trailers for The Lion King. Aladdin was among those gems that ushered in the next generation of Disney die-hard fans that would grow up and become kids again the second we hear that a live-action version is coming to theaters.

In this retelling of the Disney classic, Aladdin (Mena Massoud) is a smooth-operating street urchin in the kingdom of Agrabah with his only friend and partner in crime being a monkey named Abu. Yet despite being a pickpocket and eluding trouble he has a heart of gold for those few in more need than him which leads him to rescue a young woman from the market place who gets into trouble giving away bread to hungry children leading to an epic escape from the guards and stowing away to his humble home.
After being caught by the guards trying to return a bracelet he meets the Grand Vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) who tells him two things, that the girl he met is in fact Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and that there is a Cave of Wonders that holds great treasure that would make him worthy of her if he retrieves an oil lamp for him inside. Feeling this is his chance, Aladdin agrees and makes the journey. Yet when he's double-crossed and trapped inside the cave, he unknowingly unleashes from the lamp a powerful smooth-talking Genie (Will Smith). With three wishes to use, Aladdin has Genie make him Prince Ali and uses this newfound identity to win over Jasmine, but he will find the real magic doesn't come from a magic lamp or any wish and when faced with danger and having to fight to save the city and the people he loves, he will find that the real magic comes from within.

There has been much skepticism as to how this film would turn out from the controversy about how Will Smith looks as a big blue Genie that the late Robin Williams had once brought to life and had many on the fence as if he could live up to that expectation to how Naomi Scott didn't look "Arabic-enough" (No idea where that came from), but after all is said and done there's only one word to describe this portrayal, golden. Whatever doubts you may have had, put them aside because this film is rich in its cast, its special effects and wardrobe and right down to its remastering of the beloved musical numbers along with a special song for Jasmine called "Speechless" that will leave you just that. So before you start wishing you could see this movie in theaters, I say don't wait. It is worth all five G.M.Stars that I am so pleased to give it. I just hope Abu doesn't take off with one.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Green Mountain Stars

 "Aladdin" (2019) is currently only in theaters. 

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