Yesterday the review embargo finally lifted on Disney’s Aladdin. The latest remake of one of the classic animated movies from the Disney vault is now in UK cinemas and arrives in North America tomorrow.
But what did the critics think?
First of all, you can read our review of the movie here.
The movie currently holds a score of 59% on RottenTomatoes meaning it’s just on the rotten side of the track. Their critics consensus reads:
Aladdin retells its classic source material’s story with sufficient spectacle and skill, even if it never approaches the dazzling splendor of the animated original.
Here’s what a selection of the top critics thought.
New York Times
The movie itself, while not entirely terrible – a lot of craft has been purchased, and even a little art – is pointless in a particularly aggressive way.
USA Today
While there’s a certain charm missing from the revamp, Smith goes way over the top to make up for it. [3/4]
TheWrap
This isn’t a movie. It’s a chintzy revival, specifically designed to appeal to audiences who think “that looks familiar” qualifies as entertainment.
Chicago Tribune
The new material folds well enough into the existing material. Tragically little of this matters, because the musical numbers are staged and edited as if director Ritchie had never even seen a musical. [2/4]
Los Angeles Times
The upgrades here are primarily cosmetic, which is no reason to discount their pleasures.
Indiewire
Smith’s scenes help fuel the spectacle of a wild, candy-colored fairy tale packed with unexpected laughs and a series of impressive musical numbers. [B-]
Entertainment Weekly
What’s old is new again – but not quite as good as you remembered it. Aladdin is…fine, but it has no real reason for being beyond, you know, capitalism. [C+]
The Hollywood Reporter
The combination of diverse casting and female empowerment themes results in a perfectly politically correct Aladdin for these times.
Variety
Ritchie’s style embraces the kind of expressionism needed to pull off such a fanciful tale.
The Guardian
It is lively, colourful and genuinely funny, and doesn’t break what didn’t need fixing about the original. [4/5]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crpy0m6Pl5UA 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, Aladdin stars Mena Massoud in the lead role, with Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, Will Smith as the Genie, Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, Navid Negahban as The Sultan, Nasim Pedrad as Dalia, Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders and Numan Acar as Hakim. The film hits cinemas on May 24.
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