Desert Moon

"My mother taught me that song."

Literally just this morning I was wondering why they didn't use Proud of Your Boy's melody there. Now I know as Disney VEVO officially released the deleted song Desert Moon this afternoon.

Taking the melody introduced when Aladdin and Jasmine discuss the song their mothers taught them, this gorgeous new duet sung by Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott would have come as Aladdin crossed the desert with Jafar whilst Jasmine waited to meet him in the courtyard, as the moon rises above the minaret.

Whilst the song doesn't necessarily drive the story forwards (perhaps the reason it was ultimately cut?), it is a beautiful moment between the two characters and I love how the melody was seeded into the score during that first meeting between the two. I've said it before, but Alan Menken is a genius and I love his score for this movie. And I love Pasek and Paul's lyrics here. They have a real lullaby quality which is fitting for a song Aladdin and Jasmine learnt from their mothers as children.

I'm just glad that Disney have officially released this (it is available to purchase and download from all the usual places) and that the full scene will be available on next month's Blu-Ray release of the film. I can't wait to see how it looks.

Aladdin (2019) - Disney Makes Live Action Magic

It’s show time! It feels like forever since Disney announced that they were making a live action version of Aladdin. But we’re finally here and the movie hits the big screen this week. I was lucky enough to attend a preview screening last weekend and Disney really rollout the magic carpet. There was food and drink, a magic lamp, and even a green screen photo op taking you to a whole new world.

Which is all fantastic, but as we know, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts. So how was the movie?

Aladdin begins in the most unexpected of places; at sea, with a mariner and his family. After the children become awed by a fancier ship, the mariner decides that it’s time to tell them the tale of Aladdin, the princess, and the lamp.

Like the musical, this Aladdin is the plot that you know but reimagined for a new medium. Disney’s previous live action adaptations have ranged from straight remakes to total reinventions, with Aladdin falling closer to remake than reinvention. But, like with The Jungle Book, it’s not a direct adaptation. The familiar story beats are all there but, like with the stage show, it moves between those moments in new ways, with some new characters and new story beats added in to bring the classic tale to life in a new way.

I’ve said before that this has always been my hope for Aladdin. If you do a beat for beat remake it can feel pointless, fun to watch once or twice but after that you always end up going back to the original, and if you do too much of a reinvention you lose what people loved about the characters and story in the first place. So I’m happy to say that Aladdin does manage to thread the eye of the needle, delivering a film that’s true to the heart of the original whilst offering a new take for a new format and a new generation.

I’m going to say now that spoilers will follow after the next image. Yeah, it’s the story you know but I’m going to be talking about some of the changes made to the characters and story so if you want to stay spoiler free head on over to my review at Movie News Net and come back here once you’ve seen the movie.

Still here? Ok, let’s talk characters!!

I love Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Jasmine. It’s well known that Disney cast a wide net in the search for their new Diamond in the Rough and Disney Princess, with casting coming right down to the wire before they started filming, but it was worth it.

Mena’s Aladdin is confident but unassuming, quick to do the right thing and help those less fortunate than himself. The film shows us from the start why he’s the Diamond in the Rough, it’s all too easy to root for the lovable rouge, and when he’s tested later in the film, tempted to be selfish, all you want is for him to do the right thing like he did at the start. From stunt work to singing he captures the essence of everyone’s favourite street rat whilst grounding him in the real world of Agrabah that was created for the film.

As much as Broadway’s Jasmine was a natural evolution of the character, Naomi’s Jasmine is a natural evolution again. Driven by a fierce love of her people, Jasmine desires to one day rule as Sultan. Of all the characters, Jasmine’s arc has developed the most and benefits the most from the film’s longer run time. Locked away, for her own protection, since her mother died, Jasmine runs away due to a desire to see her kingdom and her people. The law is still a problem, she still has to marry a prince, but there is no longer the ticking clock of “your next birthday” hanging over her. It’s an interesting and effective change, and Naomi takes full advantage of it, creating a strong and inspiring leader who’s willing to put the needs of others ahead of herself. Jasmine’s evolution from animation, where she may marry whomever she deems worthy, to stage, where she will rule beside her husband as his equal, to where she ends up here is arguably one of the most satisfying I’ve ever seen as Disney reinvents their classic tales.

How do you replace Robin Williams? Broadway already gave you that answer. You don’t try to. You get a great actor and you allow him to make the role his own (then you sit back and enjoy the well deserved standing ovations and Tony Award). You stay true to the heart of the character and his friendship with Aladdin, and then bring yourself to the role. And that’s what Will Smith does. His Genie isn’t as rapid talking or quick changing, he brings a different type of energy and humour to the role, and he shares a fantastic bond with Mena’s Aladdin. The scene where Genie introduces Prince Ali to the royal family, and Mena and Will just riff off each other, is one of the most hilarious in the movie and was apparently mostly improv!

In fact it’s safe to say that Aladdin’s greatest strength is its three leads. The chemistry between Mena’s Aladdin and Naomi’s Jasmine works beautifully, making your heart soar as they take flight together during A Whole New World. And I’m tempted to say that Aladdin and Genie’s bond is deeper here. They don’t start out as friends as quickly, Genie doesn’t get attached to his masters, their relationship takes time, so by the time they’re the friends we know and love, and Aladdin decides he can’t set Genie free, the scene lands hard. The relationships between Aladdin and Jasmine, and Aladdin and Genie are the heart of Aladdin. Whether it’s Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, and Robin Williams, or Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed, and James Monroe Iglehart, or Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith. Each trio has brought something unique, but all are unmistakably Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie.

Jafar is the hardest character for me to talk about because he’s one of the biggest changes that I don’t think lands as well as it could. In reimagining the character for live action, Jafar has become more grounded. Marwan Kenzari does a good job in delivering this version of the character. He could be a touch more sinister perhaps, but I loved the new history that Guy Ritchie and John August developed for him. I loved that it made him a dark reflection for Aladdin, a cautionary tale and a warning of what may befall the young hero if he succumbs to the temptations of power, and that it set up his inevitable downfall from the moment we meet him. But I think they played it too straight. Jafar is such an iconic villain, and Jonathan Freeman’s maniacal portrayal, both on screen and on stage, casts a long shadow. The same is doubly true of Iago. Gilbert Gottfried’s loud mouthed and obnoxious parrot is reduced to little more than mimicry. Alan Tudyk does fine with what he has, but there’s so little there.

This sounds a lot more negative than I want it to, because the truth is, in the context of the movie, it works. I enjoyed Marwan Kenzari’s Jafar. It’s just that in playing it straight, the characters never get the chance to escape from the shadows of their animated (and stage) counterparts, which in hindsight makes it a clear missed opportunity. Especially with Iago.

On stage Jasmine lost Rajah but gained three handmaidens. Here Jasmine may have Rajah again (or Raja as they’re apparently spelling it now), but she also has a new friend, Nasim Pedrad’s Dalia. With the expanded narrative of the film, Dalia is a much welcome addition, adding not just a second female character but also a friend that Jasmine can talk with and bounce off as Aladdin does with Genie. There’s plenty of nice comic moments between the two, and between Dalia and Genie, who takes a shine to the young handmaiden.

Whilst I think grounding Jafar didn’t help the character, I loved Navid Negahban’s more serious take on the Sultan as a man who has seen too much war and now only wants peace and to protect his daughter. It really works well for the character and for Jasmine’s extended arc in the movie. The same can be said for Numan Acar’s Hakim. Whilst Razoul, at least in the original film, was little more than Jafar’s henchman and seemingly happy to murder Aladdin, Hakim has a greater role to play.

Another switch is Prince Achmed for Prince Anders. The setting of Agrabah as a port city on the Silk Road opens it up to a world of cultures and influences. And from one of those far away lands comes the lovable but dim Prince Anders, with Billy Magnussen giving a delightful comic turn as a potential rival for Jasmine’s affections. Yes, this prince doesn’t storm out and is still in the palace when Ali arrives, though I don’t think anyone but Aladdin truly considers him a potential match for Jasmine.

As I mentioned before, Aladdin stays true to the heart of the original story. Like the stage production, it's "the plot that you knew with a small twist or two", adjusting the tale to better suit live action as the musical did for theatre. Whilst those two paths often diverge, there were a few occasions where I couldn't help but wonder if the film's creative team had drawn inspiration from the show or if it was just happy coincidence that the two creative teams started from the foundation laid by the original and reached the same conclusions. From little things like "Prince Ali, of Ababwa" and Genie using magic to teach Aladdin to dance, to the already mentioned evolution of Jasmine from animation to stage to live action, and the return of the idea of Genie as the narrator/peddler/mariner. The creative teams certainly seem to have been thinking along similar lines even if their versions of Aladdin are told very differently.

Writer/director Guy Ritchie and writer John August certainly don't try and go for drastic changes, just enough to keep things fresh, and couldn't be accused of padding things out. If anything we get into the action even faster and more economically than we did in the shorter original, going almost straight from Arabian Nights into Aladdin and Jasmine's first meeting. The pacing is quick and effective, freeing up the film's longer run time to dig deeper into its characters and central relationships, plus the odd dance number and new songs, this is a Disney musical after all!

Agrabah looks gorgeous. The colour palette is bright and bold, and the sets look fantastic. I know they built a lot of Agrabah for shooting the movie and it definitely helps in making it feel like a living and breathing space. The costumes are exquisite, especially as we reach the parade and the Harvest Festival. I've even warmed up to Aladdin wearing a shirt, I'm taking it as a nod to his Disneyland look. Whilst the film doesn't reach the level of the Broadway show in terms of productions numbers (sorry anyone who was hoping for a 10 minute long Friend Like Me... was that just me?), the festival dance and Prince Ali parade are a lot of fun, especially as the parade builds to it's climax. And hats off to choreographer Leah Hill, Ritchie, and the visual effects team, translating the animated Friend Like Me, from forty thieves to the fireworks finale, into something that works in a "real world" space can't have been an easy but they pulled it off nicely.

And can we just take a moment to appreciate that Abu's back? I love Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, but it sure was great to see that furry little thief again. After The Jungle Book I shouldn't be surprised, but Disney sure know how to bring CGI animated animals to life. Abu's just as cute as ever. And on the subject of CGI, Will Smith's blue form, along with all his Genie magic and transformations, looks great.

Speaking of great. Alan Menken's score! If you're a Disney fan those three words are probably all I need to say, especially if you grew up in the renaissance era. The music will just take you straight back to your childhood, with subtle call backs to the original score (just listen for To Be Free shortly before Aladdin asks Jasmine on a magic carpet ride) and moments where that old music comes in at just the same time and sweeps you up in a wave of nostalgia and pure musical joy.

The songs are a mix of the iconic Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, and Tim Rice numbers, along with a new song and some new lyrics by The Greatest Showman's Pasek & Paul. Of the original songs, Arabian Nights has changed the most. If you've seen the stage show recently you'll recognise the new line from the introduction ("where you wander among every culture and tongue"), but most of the song is brand new, setting the stage and introducing the characters to the audience. One Jump Ahead has received a punchy update in tone as Aladdin leads the guards on an energetic chase through the city. Broadway fans make sure you keep an eye out for original cast member Marisha Wallace reprising her "still I think he's rather tasty line", that had me grinning from ear to ear. And then comes Speechless. Or the first part at least, introducing the song and setting it up for a much bigger second part in the film's climax.

Will Smith delivers fun new takes on Friend Like Me and Prince Ali, personally my tastes lean more towards the Broadway renditions, given the page we're on I don't think that will surprise anyone, but I do like Will's spin on them, and I'm glad he was given the freedom to do his own thing with them. You can tell he was having a lot of fun. I loved the big ensemble finale to Prince Ali, which is something Will pushed for, so I totally want to give him credit for that. A Whole New World. What can I say? I just wish they'd used the instrumental bridge from the Broadway version so the song would have lasted longer. Mena and Naomi sound great together and the whole scene was just beautiful.

After telling Genie he can't set him free, Aladdin returns to his rooftop home and sings a new reprise of One Jump Ahead as he realises he needs to tell Jasmine the truth (effectively covering the same ground as Proud of Your Boy Reprise in the show). But it's too late, Jafar already has the lamp. Whilst I do miss Prince Ali Reprise I really can't argue with the decision to give this moment to Jasmine with the second part of Speechless. It just works so well for the story, Jasmine's character, and Naomi has an incredible voice.

My biggest musical complaint? There's no reprise of A Whole New World at the end. It works without, I just miss it.

And I've not even mentioned the action yet! From One Jump Ahead to escaping the Cave of Wonders, to the frozen ends of the Earth, Guy Ritchie keeps the action fun and frantic. Whilst the stage show leans more into musical comedy, playing to the strengths of live theatre, the live action adaptation pushes harder towards the action, restoring scenes that were cut for stage and adding a new climax that takes the action out of the palace and into the streets of Agrabah. Honestly, I think it was the right choice. Whilst I can totally understand that some fans will be upset with the change, especially with the other changes to Jafar already mentioned above, I think taking the action out into the city makes for a bigger action set piece in the finale and gave nice moments to Aladdin, Jasmine, and Abu as they raced through the city.

I also want to say how fantastic it is to see such a diverse cast of lead, supporting, and background actors on the big screen. It's something I've come to take for granted during my many visits to Agrabah in both New York and London, but we need to remember that this, sadly, isn't the norm and celebrate the films, like Aladdin, that reflect the world we live in.

So yeah, I loved it. I genuinely loved it. It doesn't manage to top the original, but it is a worthy retelling of the ancient tale. It manages to find that ever so important balance between staying true to the core of the story and characters, and offering something new. Maybe this is no surprise, but it's my new favourite of Disney's live action remakes. If I'm being critical then The Jungle Book is still the best of Disney's recent re-imaginings, but I had more fun at Aladdin. There's a lot of heart, warmth, and joy to Aladdin and I can't wait to see it again.

"The Genie is Here!!"

Disney was just full of surprises last week! After announcing Hercules was coming to stage they just dropped a new teaser for their live action adaptation of Aladdin last night at the Grammys! No warning, just "the Genie is here!!" to quote the Broadway show!

The teaser starts in the same way as the previous one, with Iago flying over the desert to a haunting rendition of Arabian Nights, only a close up shot of the caravan camels teasing that this trailer will give us a closer look than before.

We get the same shot, revealing the Cave of Wonders, only this time we get to see Marwan Kenzari's Jafar as he tells Mena Massoud's Aladdin, "Bring me the lamp." He's definitely younger than any Jafar we've seen before, and his costume has a slightly armoured look to it. A hint, perhaps, of a more physical confrontation between hero and villain at the film's climax.

"Your life begins now," Jafar tells the young street rat, "Aladdin." And here is the full reveal of Mena Massoud's Aladdin, complete with Abu on his shoulder. And he looks great! The stripes that look too busy in still images look fine in motion (at least on his shirt, we don't get a long enough full body look to really judge the pants).

As Aladdin enters the cave, the music changes to a bold and dramatic rendition of Friend Like Me and we're treated to a series of shots highlighting the main characters and events from the film.

We see Iago flying towards a beautiful Agrabah as the sun rises.

We see Abu in his elephant form as part of a gorgeous looking Prince Ali parade.

Naomi Scott's Jasmine, in a new costume, with Rajah behind her (this is the new dress that was revealed in the first look photos just before Christmas).

The iconic "Do you trust me?" moment as Jasmine takes Aladdin's hand to go on a magic carpet ride.

A quick shot of what looks like it will be an action packed escape from the Cave of Wonders.

And finally a shot of Aladdin rubbing the lamp, Abu and Carpet (yes, we see Carpet!) standing besides him, blue smoke swirling out as we fade to black.

I honestly thought the teaser would end there. But Disney had one more surprise in store. Our first look at Will Smith's Genie in his magical blue form!

"You really don' know who I am?" Genie asks Aladdin as the teaser ends, "Genie, wishes, lamp? None of that ringin' a bell?"

For all the worry I know there's been online, he looks exactly as you'd expect. He's big, he's blue and he's back! And I love some of the detailing on his arms, like magic under his skin.

Hopefully this surprise teaser means that a full trailer is coming soon. I can't wait to hear this cast sing because the movie is looking fantastic. The use of colour is absolutely gorgeous and I genuinely think this teaser and a full trailer will help undo any of the uncertainly that surfaced after the first images were released last year.

Wishes will be granted in just over 3 months when Aladdin opens on May 24th!

Aladdin Begins Filming

Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Jasmine), Will Smith (Genie) and Marwan Kenzari (Jafar) on their first day on set for Guy Ritchie's Aladdin

Exciting news from Disney this week as production officially began on the live action adaptation of Aladdin on Wednesday and to celebrate Will Smith (Genie) posted the very first selfie from the London set!

It's not even been two months since the first casting announcements at D23 this summer but additional casting information has been coming in fast these last few weeks and the cast is now officially complete!

We already know that Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott and Will Smith are playing our heroes Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie, but every great hero needs fantastic villains and Aladdin has found them in Marwan Kenzari's Jafar and Numan Acar's Hakim!

Completing the principal cast are Navid Negahban as the Sultan, Nasim Pedrad as Dalia (Princess Jasmine's handmaiden and confidante) and Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders (a suitor for Princess Jasmine from Skanland).

First impressions? I'm super excited! I said this after D23 and I'll say it again now - I love that Disney have cast relatively unknowns rather than big names for this because that shows they've been cast as they truly are the best people for the roles rather than just for their box office draw.

Also - I think this is going to be a very different Aladdin to either the animated original or the musical.  Disney aren't playing it safe with this and that's great.  As much as I loved this year's Beauty and the Beast it was arguably too similar to the animated classic, it added some wonderful touches, I loved the way the castle crumbled as the petals fell, but ultimately it invited too many direct comparisons that it could never live up to (and yes, I fully recognise that nostalgia does play a part in that).  A more direct adaptation may be the easier and safer option but it would mean the film would likely always be in the shadow of the original.  By doing its own thing, by being unique, Aladdin will succeed or fail on its own merits just as it did on stage.  It may not be as safe but it has a much better shot at being something very special rather than just a good adaptation of a superior original.

So what do the new castings tell us?  Marwan Kenzari as Jafar is much younger that the character is traditionally portrayed which suggests that the villainous vizier may be a more active role in this version and a more physical match for Aladdin.  This is interesting as Aladdin normally has to rely on his wits to defeat Jafar (of course at this point Jafar is normally an all powerful sorcerer/giant snake).  I'm sure that will still be the case but I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see a more personal throw down between the two first in this movie!

Numan Acar's Hakim is probably the most revealing casting that's been announced so far.  Described as both Jafar's right-hand man and the head of the palace guards Hakim effectively replaces both Iago and Razoul.  This, along with the creation of Jasmine's attendant Dalia, suggests that, like with the musical, the animals are out.  Though it is surprising that they went with a new character rather than just making fan favourite Iago human as they do on stage.  Combining the roles of Iago and Razoul also suggests a greater corruption within the palace guards this time around with ((at least) Hakim knowing Jafar is plotting directly against the Sultan.

Nasim Pedrad's Dalia will presumably fulfil the same role as her attendants in the musical - giving Jasmine someone to talk with and confide in in the absence of Rajah, though likely with a larger presence in the story.

Gotta admit, whilst it's now pretty much a certainty that the animals are out, I do hope they make an exception for Abu.  Jasmine has Dalia and Jafar has Hakim, since Babkak, Omar and Kassim haven't been cast Aladdin needs a friend and someone to interact with before he meets Genie.

I'm not sure there's much to read into the other castings yet.  Navid Negahban's Sultan rounds out the original classic characters and Billy Magnussen's Prince Anders seems likely to fulfil a similar role as Prince Achmed did in the original.  Of course I'm sure Disney and Guy Ritchie have some surprises in store for us all.  As long as they stay true to the heart of the characters and story then I'm sure everything will turn out just great.

And speaking of the heart of the piece. Alan Menken announced at D23 that he was working with the Tony Award winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land & Dear Evan Hansen) to create new songs for this new version of Aladdin and thanks to the Oh My Disney report we now know they'll be creating 2 all new songs for movie to go along with the classic Menken, Ashman and Rice tunes from the original.  I can't wait to hear who the new songs are for!  I'm guessing a new song for Genie and either a solo for Jasmine or a new duet for Aladdin and Jasmine.

Now, Beauty and the Beast got 3 new songs so I'm wishing with all my might that Proud of Your Boy makes the cut this time!  Long shot?  Maybe, but Aladdin is all about wishes coming true.

I'm sure I'll be writing much more about the movie real soon now that production has begun and they're officially making magic!

Casting Announced for Disney's Live Action Aladdin at D23

There's always big news out of Disney's D23 Expo and this year certainly didn't disappoint as Disney Studios officially announced the stars of Guy Ritchie's live action Aladdin to a packed Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Centre yesterday.

Mena Massoud will be bringing to life my favourite Disney hero in the title role, Naomi Scott will be Princess Jasmine and Will Smith be the Genie.

First impressions?  I've got to say I really happy with this cast.

Full disclosure - it's no secret I've championed Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed and James Monroe Iglehart for these roles.  Heck, I've been shouting it all over Twitter since The Hollywood Reporter's claims that Disney was struggling to find its Aladdin and Jasmine last week.  I stand by that 100%.  I've followed them in these roles for 6 years, from Seattle to Broadway, and they are perfect to me.  I always knew it was a crazy long shot but it was a beautiful dream.  And I'll still continue to champion Jonathan Freeman and Don Darryl Rivera as Jafar and Iago until those castings are revealed.  But just because my dream castings weren't chosen doesn't mean I can't be happy with the people who were cast.

So let's start with Aladdin and Jasmine.  What excites me the most about Mena Massoud being cast as Aladdin is one simple thing - I've never heard of him.  I know that sounds crazy but it really is.  Because this means he's been cast for one simple reason, Disney believe he's the right man for the job.  Heck, they even delayed production trying to find him as filming was originally due to start this month!  The same goes for Naomi Scott.  Outside of this year's Power Rangers movie (which I actually really enjoyed) she's unknown.  Disney have made good on their promise from earlier this year and cast newcomers rather than stars, cast on ability rather than name.

Now, this is a musical just like Beauty and the Beast was, so the first thing I do whenever Disney announce the cast for these live action remakes is search for videos of the new stars singing.  Normally you can at least find something but you try searching for Mena Massoud videos - the first five pages on Google are all just video news/reactions to the Aladdin casting.  I did manage to find his acting demo reel (I'm not the best at judging based on short scenes but I think he shows a good range) but nothing of him singing.  This worried me when Emma Watson was cast in Beauty and the Beast but it doesn't with Mena Massoud.  He wasn't cast for his name, so if he couldn't sing he wouldn't have got the job.  Plus, Naomi Scott can sing!  Like, seriously sing.  Check out her YouTube channel!  There's no way they're casting an Aladdin who can't vocally match with Jasmine.  If she's a strong singer then I'm sure he is to.

So, yeah, I'm really excited by these two and can't wait to see them in costume and hear something of them singing together.

And now the announcement that seems to have split the internet.  After months of rumours it's finally official, Will Smith is the Genie.  And I think he'll be great.

Let's get one thing straight, he's not Robin Williams.  No one is.  No one is ever going to replace or replicate that iconic performance.  But he won't play it like Robin Williams.  When recreating the Genie for Broadway, James Monroe Iglehart was given the freedom to put his own spin on it, bringing the character closer to his original Fats Waller/Cab Calloway inspiration he maintained the spirit of the character Robin created whilst creating something new and uniquely his own that saw him take home a Tony Award for the role.

As long as Will Smith is given this same freedom, to truly make Genie his own whilst honouring the spirit of what Robin created, then I believe he could do something equally special with the role.  The man oozes star power and charisma, for all the movie's flaws he (along with Margot Robbie) pretty much carried Suicide Squad and even succeeded in making Deadshot a more likable character than Superman in the DCEU.  Plus, he can sing.  Genie was always going to be a big name, especially once it was confirmed Disney wanted unknowns for Aladdin and Jasmine.  Will Smith brings that star power to the movie but also has the skills to do a good job with the role as long as he's allowed to make it his own.

Now the waiting begins and it's gonna be a long one.  Disney revealed their production slate through to 2019 yesterday and Aladdin wasn't on it.  That means this movie is likely to be a 2020 release!  Best start saving for 2019's D23 as that's likely where we'll get a first look!