![]() Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, "Avatar: The Way of Water" launches the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. This remake did make some good choices that improved upon what we’ve seen already from the story and it was a satisfying take on a classic that has seldom been done."Avatar: The Way of Water" reaches new heights and explores undiscovered depths as James Cameron returns to the world of Pandora in this emotionally packed action adventure. The animated version will always have a special place in many of our hearts and is a monumental achievement for the studio. I’m not saying one Aladdin movie is better than the other. This ending matters a lot more and makes the titular character earn his top billing! In the original, he has his sights set on Jasmine and then once he gets her he has to somehow figure out how to be Sultan… that’s concerning! In the new version, he’s the reason and supporter that leads to Jasmine and her father coming to the decision that she should rule. Genie is also a bit wiser this time around and Aladdin has more responsibility for his actions. It makes many of us want to scream these mantras at the screen. The awkwardness Aladdin faces as he tries to woo her as a prince is more painfully obvious through the new scenes and has viewers rooting for them more intently. We get to see Aladdin and Jasmine’s chemistry as a couple more before he turns into Aladdin, so seeing how off his game he is as the Prince really hits home. The new Aladdin really shows us this message and it has a better payoff. Genie gives him two pieces of advice “tell her the truth” and “bee yourself” (yes, as he’s disguised as a bee). It’s right before Aladdin is going to show Jasmine a whole new world and is struggling with how to talk to her. The original Aladdin’s message can be found in a key scene that’s stuck with me since childhood. (Image credit: (Disney)) The Message Shimmers Brighter These elements make the new Aladdin a crowd pleaser! It stops being about the legacy of these characters and more about living in each scene with this approach. There’s also a real chemistry and energy between the cast that the original didn't have (mainly because of the animation). These live-action remakes can feel stuffy and by the book, but the addition of this loosens up the audience. This Aladdin offers some funny improv moments between the actors. If Guy Ritchie had gone into it leaning on Will Smith to run the show, it would not have worked and it’s great that they didn’t try that approach. The cast compliment one another and feed off one another in this version, and the movie is better for it. There’s a balanced role for all the key characters to play, and Aladdin and Jasmine (which the story is really supposed to be about) have a story arc that’s just as interesting as Will Smith’s Genie performance is. This movie is an ensemble musical comedy! But it doesn’t end up coming off as an “ensemble” musical or comedy, because Robin’s Genie is just so memorably good. That’s not to say there aren’t some other great ones to go around from the cast. When we think back to the original Aladdin, it’s all about Robin Williams’ performance. (Image credit: (Disney)) It’s Not Just The Genie Show The music sequences also benefits from the live-action too! Seeing "Prince Ali" is effectively grand and watching Aladdin and Jasmine's thrilling ride on the magic carpet ride is captivating to see the actors express. The use of traditional instruments like oud and doumbeks, such as in the scene-setting "Arabian Nights" opening, shows a attention to detail and greater celebration of culture that was original lacked. It's when they delve into the identities of the cultures that they really work the best (think Moana and Coco) and this Aladdin is no exception. Disney’s many animated classics have pulled from famous folktales from all around the world for decades. The music does go back and forth between borrowing from Indian and Arab influences, but this choice is apparently a deliberate choice to make the fictional city of Agrabah be a meeting point of Asian cultures as it’s an important trading port. Even if it may look like a slight alteration to some, it makes a world of difference for those with personal roots in the region. However, the new film does do something interesting with the music: it really goes for it when expressing the flavor of the cultures being depicted on screen. (Image credit: (Disney)) The Music Better Reflects The Aladdin StoryĪladdin’s original soundtrack and score definitely still hold up, and the new album won’t replace Alan Menken’s first version.
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