Aladdin

Disney put it together like Bata's trainers, but it has nothing to do with full-blooded movies, the kind that appeal to me. This is nothing but CGI cartoon, tiresome, stupid, standing in a shop window next to a McDonald's burger and chicken strips from KFC. A factory product on demand that is far from proper craftsmanship. Its success is certainly a signal that Mickey will continue to delight us with this kind of digital mess, but I won't be there anymore. Artistic statements as well as mid-budget auteur ambitious films go to shit, they don't pay in theaters, Disney will buy us all. Honour the rare exceptions that make big money without having to compromise on their auteur vision (Villeneuve, Nolan, Fincher and others). (13/09/2019)

Those modern western values involving strong women are quite weird in an Arabian fairy-tale, but here we are. Ritchie’s visually captivating version of the classic Disney movie moves along nicely, and the only weak point is the songs, which are more numerous than even in the animated original. Smith is great, Aladdin is quite a nice guy and Jasmine is a fox. P.S. Was the controversy because Will played the slave or or because the slave was blue? (19/09/2019)

The anticipated failure turned out to be a commercial hit, praised by audiences and critics alike, and apparently no one expected that. Guy Ritchie has the direction firmly in hand and serves up the fairy tale of my childhood with an excellent Will Smith as the Genie (quite possibly the best performance of his career), a beautiful Princess Jasmine with a voice like Adele, and a very likeable Aladdin. It's beautifully colourful, suspenseful, fun and most importantly for the whole family. The dance numbers and songs are reminiscent of the best of Bollywood. Disney is making me happy this year. 80%! (19/06/2019)

The thief Aladdin would like to seduce the princess, but ends up in the hands of the villain Jafar, who wants to use him to bring him a magic lamp. But Aladdin discovers a Genie living in the lamp who grants him three wishes, and he decides to pursue the princess with his help. But Jafar doesn't give up... Guy Ritchie directs a brisk and visually arresting family fairy tale that brilliantly combines humour, suspense and romance and features a very likeable cast. The problem is that it's too similar to the animated original and doesn't bring much new to the story. How much of a problem that is is for everyone to figure out. But the craftsmanship is more than good. (23/05/2019)

Who had the terrifying idea to turn Aladdin into a musical? It’s like watching a three-hour long Bollywood opus and enjoying how everyone is dancing and everything around is incredibly colorful. The only good thing about the movie is Will Smith, even though some people might protest that a genie shouldn’t be black. However, Will Smith is the only reason for which this film is even worth watching. All the rest (apart from the opening show jumping scene) is too horrible for words. (27/01/2020)