REVIEW: ALADDIN

4/5

The Fresh Prince Of Ali.

128 Mins. Starring: Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen & Will Smith. Director: Guy Ritchie.

Rubbed the right way. You have never seen a Fresh like this with Will Smith's Genie in a bottle. Locked, stocked with two smoking barrels, 'Sherlock Holmes', 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' and 'King Arthur' director Guy Ritchie's prince pulls the magic carpet out from under us and offers a whole new world as Disney goes against Hollywood stereotype and makes sure these Arabian Nights are anything but whitewashed. Now that's your first wish granted. How about the other two? Whoever they would have picked, Robin Williams will always be the Genie of 'Aladdin's' cave. It's a given from the late, great, gregarious gentle giant of epic entertainment. Like Sean Connery will always be Bond, or Christian Bale Batman. But that doesn't mean there isn't a place in this twilight for new blood. And there's more than enough room in that gravy jug portion sized lamp for the magic potion of possibly the only all singing, dancing and rapping, charming comedic talent to come close to your Robin wish in the "WOO" and "HAHA" of the freshest prince of them all, Will Smith. You've never had a friend like him. Leave the petitions to the trolls who think retweets really mean celebrity. As Will has his way back into the Summer he used to 'Independence Day' and 'Men In Black' scorch even in a 'Wild, Wild West'. After a few misfires and less than top billings. Like his Deadshot 'Suicide Squad' (now rumoured to be replaced by the bond of Idris Elba for guardian James Gunn's clap back sequel) or 'Collateral Beauty' Christmas crapper (which he was still the Tinseltown toast of) and the not so 'Bright' in reception (although we loved these Bad Orcs on Netflix. What you gonna do?). Smith has gone social, media remaking himself as an inspired internet and YouTube sensation star. But this year with Ali looks to be his royal rumble return to the ring he knocks them out the box in with this, 2020's long awaited 'Bad Boys For Life' franchise reunion with Martin Lawrence and 'Hulk' and 'Life Of Pi' director Ang Lee's latest vision, 'Gemini Man', starring alongside himself...in younger CGI 'Fresh' fade form. And you thought him joining the Blue Man Group here was impressive. Well adopting both the signature and stage look, complete with some Thanos gold bracelets able to make your wildest wish come true at the click of his fingers (don't worry...not like that), Smith sets his own one like Elton in the same week that the 'Rocketman' biopic takes off from its own lamp. Showing what really happens when in the middle of a 'Parabellum' walked desert you wish upon a star as bright as this.

Live action through the sands of time is Disney's forte right now. Still spending all those Scrooge McDuck 'Frozen' funds on this Pixar redefining C.G.I. like the bank rolls just want to let it go. 'The Jungle Book' really opened this new chapter from Disney like 'Cinderella' truly going to the ball and the real life take of how Mary Poppins was umbrella born in Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers and Tom Hanks as the one and only Walt Disney in the world of 'Saving Mr. Banks' which medicine go down turned into a spoonful of sugar in last year's live action remake of the animated classic with a perfect fit Emily Blunt taking parasol flight like the beauty of Emma Watson next to their hallmark beast. But this before next calenders 'Mulan' and sequel to Angelina Jolie's magnificent 'Maleficent' villain movie that in all actuality toil and trouble, cauldron catalyst set this all off is the year. With this carpet laid out, setting the stage of the epic 'Lion King' live action remake across the Savannah plains of all the light touches without a single human soul in sight, just in Childish Gambino and 'Homecoming' queen Beyonce sound. And we haven't even got round to 'Toy Story 4' yet. Now how about a live action remake with the real Hanks as his favourite to Woody? Even though that would just be weird, we want to see it like Saturday Night Live's 'Fast and Furious' revenge remake of 'Bambi' starring Dwyane 'The Rock' Johnson Doe. Disney have the monopoly on mainstream movies and their blockbuster spin-offs again like their Marvel superheroes with 'Endgame' avengance. It's really Mickey who will be diving in all those pools of gold coins you can Easter egg find here if you come in this cave. Even if like the weird and wonderful Tim Burton's classic circus animal of 'Dumbo' (also released in this live act big-three last teenage year of this century) the 'Snatch' or Ritchie's style is somewhat hidden under layers of family friendly entertainment, the street hustle soul of the man who remade Holmes, UNCLE and Arthur so well is still spit and polished here in his rags to crown jewel riches Aladdin.

Diamond director Ritchie isn't the only guy that's a jewel in the rough here, as Disney give voice to the land and people Hollywood forgot. But our 'Aladdin', Mena Massoud can show you the world too. The Amazon 'Jack Ryan' star in Arabia is as charismatic as his street thief character is cunning and crafty, parkour free running through this beautiful city. And his chemistry set with Smith playing 'Hitch' date doctor from his brass pot is the perfect charming, casting prescription. But it's the bond forged between this street rat and princess pink 'Power Ranger' and 'Charlie's Angel' Naomi Scott that really tugs the carpet heart strings. And how about that magic rug for a character? Rivalling the hems of 'Doctor Strange's' cloak with character (only Disney's costume department could have that many characteristics), which in itself is as endearing as the Marcel from 'Friends' cute slapping Abu monkey. Along with that pesky parrot giving us a furry friends preview of Disney's next animal adaptation and it's Hakuna Matata. The Rashida Jones lookalike Scott however is her own outstanding actress and Princess Jasmine. Her characters iconic line, "I'm not a prize to be won" back in the '92 animation was one of the first things that taught this then seven year old about true love. And with her whole new song 'Speechless' she shows this princess is fit for the throne of Queen. No matter who stands in her way like 'The Mummy' and 'Murder On The Orient Express' actor Marwan Kenzari as animated, cartoonist caricature of the serpent staff hypnotic wielding Jafar. This snakes serpentine staff trick makes him hilariously look like Austin Powers making you bring orange sherbet. So devilishly good we can't wait to see him in the Aladdin sequel 'Jafar Needs Glasses'. He wants 'Legion' legend Navid Negahban's throne. As this recognisable character actor of so many credits deserves all the bows as The Sultan. Just like the Handmaiden hiding in the shadows of 'SNL' actress Nasim Pedrad ready for her own saturday night live tale of love. Even 'Into The Woods' star Billy Magnussen scene steals as he shows up and sends up as a Nordic prince suitor with suited accent. But we all know the real show stopper is the charisma machine of Smith's fond and funny Genie, who will even move you to "how come he don't want me man" tears. All in all 'Aladdin' reaches for the highest throne and rubbed lamp as it ascends into a spectacle of lavish land and great graphics of the most special effects. Making it one of the mouse's most believable and real world live actions to date. Just like the tiger walking by Princess Jasmine's regal side of this is how good this one growls than 'The Lion King' is going to roar! But how's this for a lasting impression? There's a triumph in today with the two biggest films going head to head this week being magnificent musicals and famous biopics and adaptations featuring an openly gay icon lead and an epic ensemble that isn't whitewashed in today's day and Hollywood age. That's your final wish granted. Freedom. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Aladdin (1992)', 'Mary Poppins (2018)', 'The Lion King (2019)'.