![]() The uniformly clumsy, cheap-looking production doesn’t help. In other words: It takes a special kind of fool to ruin Will Smith in a role where he’s given express orders to be funny and light. Performed by Will Smith in a mostly-CGI, occasionally live-action role, Ritchie’s co-authored script and numb direction saps any sense of momentum from one of Hollywood’s most charismatic performers. That’s especially clear when our blue-skinned genie finally arrives. But turning likable, focused newcomers such as Kenzari or Naomi Scott (who plays Princess Jasmine) into blank, charisma-free mannequins proves that anyone but him would have been better. Ritchie, whose work includes leaden, grunting titles like “Snatch” and the recent, disastrous “Sherlock Holmes” films with Robert Downey Jr., always seemed like an odd choice to take the reins. (He at least had enough of the latter to cast non-white people in most roles.) But the Middle Eastern folk tale from which all of this is adapted? That feels as distant as director Guy Ritchie’s judgment or good taste. The plot and themes are well-known to anyone who’s seen the 1992 Disney animated film on which this live-action musical is based, or the Broadway musical it later birthed. Mistaken identity and sparks ensue, but soon Aladdin finds himself forced to steal a magic lamp on Jafar’s behalf, lured by the promise of winning Jasmine’s affection. Frustrated, Jasmine escapes and runs into Aladdin on the street. The Sultan simply wants to marry her off (and Ritchie’s script, co-written with John August, does nothing to expand upon this or explore Jasmine’s mind). The aging ruler is under Jafar’s evil spell, and daughter/heir Jasmine is forbidden from roaming the realm or making meaningful decisions. The kingdom of Agrabah, you see, is in bad shape. When Aladdin runs afoul of the Sultan of Agrabah’s frowning guards, he’s recognized by the conniving Grand Vizier, Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), as the fabled “diamond in the rough” - or skilled thief for whom Jafar has been searching. Mena Massoud plays our plucky title character, a nimble street urchin who steals to survive, and whose only friend is his monkey, Abu. It aims low and consistently misses its targets, wasting a breathtaking amount of money, talent and goodwill along the way. It is a kids’ movie from the pre-21st century template: alternately lazy and bored, wooden in concept and execution, and lacking any sense that the people in charge thought this was going to matter. Thursday, March 2nd 2023 Home Page Close Menu
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