canterbury, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 11/08/2019 05:33 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: A street-rat uses the power of having possession of a magical lamp to win the heart of a princess.

    Another Disney re-make, and quite possibly the one I have been most fearing.


    My fear was probably due to the fact that this was the one for me that if it went wrong, it could go horribly wrong in many aspects.


    But despite going in with the lowest of expectations, I as usual remained open-minded and hoping this could be up there with the great Disney live-action re-makes like The Jungle Book, Cinderella and Christopher Robin.


    The first act pretty much went as expected. They were hitting the same bits as the animated original, but the execution felt very hollow and I was feeling nothing towards it. Then amazingly, it was the arrival of Will Smith as The Genie that totally changed the beat, and I was really getting into the story. From that moment and through a couple of songs, that whole sequence was brilliant. After that, I felt I was in for the ride, the remainder of the film was good solid fun and I could enough of the magic that I remember experience from the 1992 original.


    Unbelievably from an acting perspective, Will Smith managed to be the best part of the film. He managed to have that perfect mix of keeping the Genie character that we know and love whilst still bringing his own style to it. Me and pretty much everyone else thought that he was doomed from the start. But I love being proved wrong, and Smith certainly did that.
    Mena Massoud as the titular character I thought was fine but not memorable if I was being cruel. Like for the most of the film, it wasn't until after the first act when I started get invested and Massoud was exactly the same.
    Naomi Scott continues to showcase her talent well. After showing great promise in Power Rangers, Scott did a good job as Princess Jasmine. With her character being given plenty of additional content to work with in the re-make, her portrayal made her character more of a role model that was executed rather well. It was great seeing Navid Negahban be cast as the Sultan. After first seeing him in 12 Strong in a pretty memorable performance, I was excited to see more of him. So I was pleased to see him get more roles in wide release films.
    I also have to mention that while the character of Iago did not have a true speaking role, the way he was used was most noticeable.
    Sadly I could not get into Marwan Kenzari's portrayal of Jafar or regretably Billy Magnussen's character. Kenzari never felt threatening or imposing as you would expect for one of Disney's most fearful antagonists. He just felt whiny, wet and weak. As for Magnussen, while I loved his character in Game Night last year, the character that he either felt annoying or massively out-of-place with the tone.
    Also, I was really disappointed with the characters of Abu and Carpet. They missed that personality that made us fall in love with them in the original, and were also massively under-used in this version. It was a shame to see that.


    I really liked the imagery, most of the production design, the striking costumes and of course the songs. The portrayal of most of the songs were well done and re-creating enough magic that reminded why you still love these songs. The added dance sequences enhanced the songs as well as the costumes really well. Also, unlike Beauty And The Beast, the new songs seemed to fit in well and never felt like they were stopping the film to showcase their entry in Best Original Song category for the next Oscars.


    As for the negative from the technical side, along with the entire sub-standard first act, some of the designs of the locations lacked that glamour that the original had.


    So despite the numerous problems I had with it, I thought this was a solid fun time that re-captured some of the magic that was there before.
    With these Disney live-action re-makes, I always end with the question of, 'Did this need to be re-made?' My answer, kind of. I could see the themes they were introducing to this story to make it different and more topical for today's audience and some additions made for certain character felt worthy enough.
    It was good to look at, the performances on the whole were solid, Will Smith proved me wrong and the feel-good adventure vibe does eventually arrive and make it a solid enough pay-off to have you falling in love with the story and songs all over again.


    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Canterbury / South East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Canterbury



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
canterburycanterbury News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
canterbury Bathroom Suppliescanterbury Bathroom Tapscanterbury Bathroom Furniturecanterbury Bathroom Showerscanterbury Shower Enclosurescanterbury Bathscanterbury L Shaped Bathcanterbury P Shaped Bathcanterbury Wet Roomscanterbury Bath Screenscanterbury Bath Mixer Tapcanterbury Bidet Tapscanterbury Toilet Seatscanterbury Sanitarywarecanterbury Combined Toilet Basincanterbury Stovescanterbury Wood Stovescanterbury Home Stovescanterbury Cooker Stovescanterbury Enamel Stovescanterbury Designer Stovescanterbury Contemporary Stovescanterbury Multi Fuel Stovescanterbury Accounts Softwarecanterbury Sage Softwarecanterbury Sage Line 50canterbury Sage Line 200canterbury Pegasus Accountscanterbury Access Accountscanterbury Car Servicingcanterbury MOTgcanterbury Tyrescanterbury Car Batterycanterbury Exhaustcanterbury Journalist Jobscanterbury Reporter Jobscanterbury Writing Jobscanterbury Freelance Writercanterbury Self Employed Jobscanterbury Franchise Businesscanterbury Franchise Opportunitiescanterbury Driving Schoolscanterbury Driving Lessonscanterbury Driving Testcanterbury Driving Theory Testcanterbury Driving Instruction, 0000 canterbury Driving Instructor, 0000 canterbury Insolvencycanterbury Insolvency Servicecanterbury Insolvency Servicescanterbury Liquidation Servicecanterbury Business Recoverycanterbury Insolvency Practitionercanterbury Bankruptcy Servicecanterbury Winding Up Petitioncanterbury Business Financecanterbury Business Recoverycanterbury Voluntary Arrangementcanterbury Individual Voluntary Arrangementcanterbury IVAcanterbury Debt Advicecanterbury Debt Managementcanterbury Company Administrationcanterbury Administrationcanterbury Corporate Recoverycanterbury Corporate Voluntary Arrangementcanterbury CVAcanterbury Corporate Insolvencycanterbury Corporate Liquidationcanterbury Members Voluntary Liquidationcanterbury MVLcanterbury Partnership Voluntary Arrangementcanterbury PVAcanterbury Tax Demandcanterbury Invoice Financecanterbury Bridging Financecanterbury Voucherscanterbury Dealscanterbury Matalancanterbury Firewoodcanterbury Fire Woodcanterbury Kiln Dried Hardwoodcanterbury Logs For Salecanterbury Log Suppliescanterbury Logscanterbury Firewood Logscanterbury Seasoned Logscanterbury Hardwood Logscanterbury Firewood Supplierscanterbury Firewood Log Supplierscanterbury Firewood Dumpy Bagscanterbury Firewood Cratescanterbury Cheap Firewoodcanterbury Homefire Logscanterbury Cheap Firewood Logscanterbury Kindle Conescanterbury Pizza Oven Logscanterbury Heating Oilcanterbury Home Heating Oilcanterbury Red Dieselcanterbury White Dieselcanterbury Keresenecanterbury Commercial Fuelscanterbury Calor Gascanterbury Propane Gascanterbury Butane Gascanterbury Heating Gascanterbury Horse Trainingcanterbury Horse Trainercanterbury Horse Whisperercanterbury Equine Whisperercanterbury Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithcanterbury Rattan Garden Furniturecanterbury Rattan Furniturecanterbury Rattan Sofacanterbury Rattan Dining Setcanterbury Rattan Directcanterbury Cheap Rattan Furniturecanterbury Rattan Corner Sofascanterbury Rattan Day Bedscanterbury Rattan Sun Loungerscanterbury Rattan Cube Setscanterbury Rattan Bistro Setscanterbury Chimeneascanterbury Firepitscanterbury Patio Heaterscanterbury Card Payments Processingcanterbury Credit Card Processingcanterbury Merchant Servicescanterbury Merchant Accountcanterbury Merchant Paymentscanterbury Card Machinescanterbury Card Terminalscanterbury Online Paymentscanterbury Worldpaycanterbury Bouncy Castlescanterbury Bouncy Castle Hirecanterbury Garden Trampolinescanterbury Pramscanterbury Pushchairscanterbury Strollerscanterbury Hauck Pramscanterbury Huackcanterbury Childrens Trampolinescanterbury Baby Mobilescanterbury Baby Activity Matscanterbury Baby Bedroom Furniturecanterbury Childrens Bedroom Furniturecanterbury Hygiene Vendingcanterbury Washroom Vendingcanterbury Air Freshenerscanterbury Air Carecanterbury Aerosol Systemscanterbury Gel Systemscanterbury Water Savingcanterbury Urinal Water Savingcanterbury Eco Capscanterbury Sensaflushcanterbury Water Managementcanterbury Urinal Dosingcanterbury Urinal V Screenscanterbury Legionella Risk Assessmentcanterbury Legionaires Bacterialcanterbury Odour Controlcanterbury Odour Eliminationcanterbury Odour Removalcanterbury Airsterilcanterbury Hand Carecanterbury Hand Creamcanterbury Hand Soapcanterbury Hand Washingcanterbury Hand Dryingcanterbury Hand Dryerscanterbury Electric Hand Dryerscanterbury Fast Hand Dryerscanterbury Commercial Hand Dryerscanterbury Energy Efficient Hand Dryerscanterbury Hand Dryer Rentalcanterbury Hand Dryer Salescanterbury Paper Towelscanterbury Roller Towelscanterbury Cotton Roller Towelscanterbury Blue Roller Towelscanterbury White Roller Towelscanterbury Janitorial Suppliescanterbury Janitorialcanterbury Cleaning Suppliescanterbury Cleaning Productscanterbury Cleaning Equipmentcanterbury Office Cleaningcanterbury Home Cleaningcanterbury Debt Recovery Servicescanterbury Debt Recoverycanterbury Debt Collectioncanterbury Outsource Credit Controlcanterbury Collection Agencycanterbury Debt Collection Agencycanterbury Commercial Canopycanterbury Steel Canopycanterbury Bike Shedscanterbury Bike Storagecanterbury Bicycle Storecanterbury Bicycle Storagecanterbury Bikes Storecanterbury Bike Storecanterbury Outdoor Canopycanterbury Cycle Shelterscanterbury Cycle Shedcanterbury Cycle Storagecanterbury Cycle Rackcanterbury Cycle Compoundcanterbury Cycle Solutionscanterbury Scooter Storagecanterbury Scooter Sheltercanterbury Canopiescanterbury Canopycanterbury Play Area Canopycanterbury Entrance Canopiescanterbury Entrance Canopycanterbury Waiting Sheltercanterbury Smoking Sheltercanterbury Parent Waiting Sheltercanterbury Parent Sheltercanterbury Teen Sheltercanterbury Nursery Canopycanterbury School Canopycanterbury Play Canopycanterbury Envirolawncanterbury Astroturfcanterbury Cheap Astroturfcanterbury Artificial Grasscanterbury Cheap Artificial Grasscanterbury Astro Turfcanterbury Artificial Lawncanterbury Fake Grasscanterbury Fake Lawncanterbury Fire Stove Glasscanterbury Heat Resistant Glasscanterbury Fire Glasscanterbury Stove Glasscanterbury Fire Resistant Glasscanterbury Replacement Stove Glasscanterbury Glass For Stovescanterbury Spill Kitscanterbury Spill Control Kitscanterbury Spill Kit Refillscanterbury Spill Kit Refill GK6canterbury Chemical Spill Kitscanterbury Oil Spill Kitscanterbury Solar Panelscanterbury Solar Panels Costcanterbury Solar Heatingcanterbury Solar PVcanterbury Commercial Solarcanterbury Photovoltaiccanterbury Dust Matscanterbury Entrance Matscanterbury Reception Matscanterbury Anti Fatigue Matscanterbury Floor Matscanterbury Logo Matscanterbury Washroom Servicescanterbury Principal Washroomscanterbury Washrooms Suppliescanterbury Washrooms Solutionscanterbury Sanitary Disposalcanterbury Sanitary Binscanterbury Sani Binscanterbury Lady Binscanterbury Feminine Hygiene Unitscanterbury Sanitary Waste Disposalcanterbury Sanitary Wastecanterbury Sanitary Unitscanterbury Feminine Unitscanterbury Hygiene Servicescanterbury Sanitary Bin Suppliercanterbury Sanitary Bin Rentalcanterbury Sanitary Bin Rental Servicescanterbury General Wastecanterbury Trade Wastecanterbury Commercial Wastecanterbury Business Wastecanterbury Waste Managementcanterbury Waste Collectioncanterbury Cardboard Wastecanterbury Paper Wastecanterbury Plastic Wastecanterbury Glass Wastecanterbury Biomass Wastecanterbury Metal Wastecanterbury Confidential Wastecanterbury Confidential Waste Servicecanterbury On Site Shreddingcanterbury Off Site Shreddingcanterbury One Off Shreddingcanterbury Contract Shreddingcanterbury Dental Wastecanterbury Dental Waste Disposalcanterbury Dental Waste Legislationcanterbury Dental Waste Compliancecanterbury Accupuncture Wastecanterbury Accupuncture Waste Disposalcanterbury Accupuncture Waste Collectioncanterbury Tattoo Wastecanterbury Tattoo Waste Disposalcanterbury Sharps Bincanterbury Sharps Collectioncanterbury Hazardous Sharpscanterbury Non Hazardous Sharpscanterbury Cytotoxic Sharpscanterbury Cytostatic Sharpscanterbury Ink Blockcanterbury Wet_Wastecanterbury Tattoo Inkcanterbury Drug Destructioncanterbury Drug Disposalcanterbury Drug Denaturingcanterbury Unwanted Drugscanterbury Out Of Date Drugscanterbury Pest Controlcanterbury Rodent Controlcanterbury Bird Controlcanterbury Bird Proofingcanterbury Guano Controlcanterbury Pest Call Outcanterbury Pest Preventioncanterbury Pest Deterrentcanterbury Nursery Wastecanterbury Nappy Wastecanterbury Nappy Bincanterbury Nappy Disposalcanterbury Nappy Wheelie Bincanterbury Nursery Waste Disposalcanterbury Nursery Waste Collectioncanterbury Incontinence Padscanterbury Offensive Wastecanterbury Human Wastecanterbury Nursing Home Wastecanterbury Care Home Wastecanterbury Hazardous Wastecanterbury Infectous Wastecanterbury Pharmaceutical Wastecanterbury Medicinal Wastecanterbury Medicine Wastecanterbury Infection Controlcanterbury Hand Sanitiserscanterbury Clinical Waste Disposalcanterbury Clinical Waste Managementcanterbury Clinical Waste Policycanterbury EA Registrationcanterbury Hammockscanterbury Garden Hammockscanterbury Adult Hammockscanterbury Childrens Hammockscanterbury Baby Hammocks