ALADDIN is HERE!!
ALADDIN arrives in theatres TODAY!
Thank you Disney for inviting me to a pre-screening of ALADDIN. From the Director, Composer, and Cast, it was all glorious. Will Smith (“Genie”), Mena Massoud (“Aladdin”), Naomi Scott (“Jasmine”), Nasim Pedrad (“Dalia”), Navid Negahban (“Sultan”), Director Guy Ritchie, Composer Alan Menken, Production Designer Gemma Jackson set the screen on fire!
Before I review the movie, I’ve been getting a lot of, “but it’s not Robin Williams,” you know what you’re right, it’s Will Smith and he OWNS it as Genie. Don't get me wrong, I loved Robin Williams as Genie in the original version. This ALADDIN is a Live Action and there is no one else who could have played Genie any better.
I want you to walk into ALADDIN not thinking about Smith or comparing the two. Will Smith is spectacular, his larger than life personality shines through as Genie. He’s colorful, hilarious, he’s the friend that we’ve never had. Genie is the friend that we all need, a wing man to tell us we can do it, to believe in what you have to offer and encourage us to move mountains. Smith is Genie, you will love him as much as I did.
There are so many little reasons that make ALADDIN so special. Thank you, Disney, for portraying middle eastern people and their culture for what it is, full of life, light, and love. Nasim Pedrad and Navid Negahban shined on screen, two fierce Iranian actors that now have set the path for other Persians to know that dreams do come true. The importance of children looking up on the big screen and seeing someone that looks like them, from their culture is life changing. Bringing hope, paving the way for others is our responsibility for our future generation(s), these two have done just this and I thank you.
Mena Massoud during our press junket discussed how crucial this is. “You know, I’m especially proud of the representation and the ethnically diverse casting that was put together for this. It’s not often you can go to a movie theater and see all people of color represented like this. It’s certainly something that I was missing in my childhood. So I’m proud of the cast and the casting that Guy and Disney put together. So I’m excited for little boys and girls to go see people that look like them on screen, man. That’s what I’m proud of.”
Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine is every woman today, trying to break the chains that bind her to free her voice. There’s a powerful new song called “Speechless,” where Jasmine finds her voice, at that moment there was no wavering, she is to be heard and respected. As woman there are so many times we’re told we must be seen and not heard, you’re told this because not what you have to say, but that they’re afraid they have nothing to bring to the table themselves. Free yourself from what others might think or say, roar loud, be proud and be you, just like Princess Jasmine leave them speechless.
ALADDIN is much more than a spectacular movie that will have you singing and dancing in your seat, so many life lessons that are vital for our little ones to learn is the underling story line. ALADDIN will leave you speechless , looking for a friend like none other and most importantly you will fall in love with Will Smith as Genie. Do You Trust Me? Go and see ALADDIN this weekend, you'll leave feeling like your flying through the clouds.
ALADDIN arrives in theatres TODAY!
A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future. Directed by Guy Ritchie, who brings his singular flair for fast-paced, visceral action to the fictitious port city of Agrabah, “Aladdin” is written by John August and Ritchie based on Disney’s “Aladdin.” The film stars Will Smith as the Genie; Mena Massoud as Aladdin; Naomi Scott as Jasmine; Marwan Kenzari as Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia and Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders.