Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

I can think of three quick reasons why this has remained one of the best animated movies ever: 1 - Very good, very catchy songs that still sound good 15 years later; 2 - excellent, colorful visuals; 3 - the unique humor of Robin Williams, who seems to spout a joke-a- second. In fact, you have to pay close attention to hear Williams' lines because they come so fast and furious. Actually, at times they are too fast. You hardly have time to laugh or digest what he just said when another line hits you. Williams' genie character doesn't appear on screen until after the first third of the film is over.

Without all those jokes - and the great visuals that go with those gags (things popping up like Saturday morning cartoons), this would just be a routine Disney animated film. Part of the normal Disney fare includes a hero who is a good guy but a liar and a heroine who is the typical wasp-waisted beauty who is rebellious against the rules of the day.

Maybe the best attribute of this film is simply how fast it moves, meaning it's very, very entertaining.

Got DVD in timely matter, sooner than expected and Granddaughtr loves it. Would buy from this dealer again.

Its always hard to choose a 'favorite' but this is probably it for me. I can't get enough of it. I've seen it probably over 100 times and it never gets old. Its just perfect in every way from the animation to the acting to the awesome songs. Every scene is a treat to watch, nothing is wasted. I even love the evil characters. It really doesn't get any better or more magical then this. Every child and adult alike should watch this.

The "monster" genie scenes frightened our children initially when they were three years old. Now, at four, it is one of the most their frequently requested DVD's.

Watching this DVD and getting to know the Aladdin characters seemed to enhance our recent trip to EuroDisney for our children.

Definite must-have addition to the children's DVD library.

We literally wore out 3 Disney VHS editions of this film before it was released on DVD. Now several years later, our youngster watches this film just as much as ever and we enjoy seeing it with him: OVER & OVER & OVER!!

SOUNDS GREAT - LOOKS GREAT & IT'S GOT ROBIN WILLIAMS & AN EXCITING PLOT TOO!

IN A NUTSHELL: A WHOLE NEW WORLD & IT INCLUDES ROBIN WILLIAMS AS THE GENIE

This DVD release of 'Aladdin' by Disney is a treat for audiences regardless of age. It is one of the few films I can think of that both children and their parents may equally enjoy, and this Platinum Edition DVD is the best way I know to bring Aladdin into our homes.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT: BOY MEETS GIRL - BOY MUST BE WORTHY OF GIRL ON HIS OWN MERITS!

Jasmine is 'PRINCESS JASMINE' and she must be married to a prince before her 18th birthday, which is in three days, as the film opens. Needless to say, she is less than excited by the suitors who have presented to claim her. "Another Stuffed Shirt - Swaggering Peacock", to use her words. After deciding to runaway - without planning for any expenses or anything for that matter - she runs into Aladdin during a street market fracas caused by her lack of currency, and is saved by Aladdin from the knife point of a greedy merchant. Thinking that Jasmine was just an ordinary girl, Aladdin set his sights on her, but found it was necessary to flee from the palace guards several times with Jasmine in tow. Aladdin discovers to his chagrin, as Jasmine declares her identity to the palace guards, that she is no ordinary girl, which puts her out of Aladdin's reach.

BUT THIS IS ONLY WHERE THE STORY BEGINS: ALADDIN: "THE DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH"

Believe it or not, the film goes along happily for over 40 minutes before Robin Williams makes his entrance as the Genie. By this time we know that Aladdin must elevate his station to attain the hand of 'Princess Jasmine' - but how?

A PRINCESS MUST BE MARRIED TO A PRINCE! BUT PRINCE ALI?

Acquiring the services of the Genie for three wishes has made it possible for Aladdin to elevate his station rather profoundly by simply wishing for it. So Prince Ali is born, along with a terrific song, lyrics and video action. Unfortunately, wishing does not make one different on the inside, and this Prince Ali charade is doomed from the start. But ---- Aladdin will elevate himself and redeem the trust which Princess Jasmine was beginning to place in him, on his own merit.

THERE IS STILL MORE--LOTS MORE: ONE CAN'T JUST WISH FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT-ASK ALADDIN

This film has a lovely story and wonderful animation, but it also has Robin Williams who gives a truly over-the-top performance as the Genie. He is the Genie and is so quick and witty and glib that audiences, regardless of age, will really zone in on his delivery. His role clearly demonstrates that one cannot simply change or improve oneself by simply wishing for it. This type of change and improvement comes from within and we go back to the theme 'the diamond in the rough'.

No decent hero can be much of a hero without a fiendish and sly villain over whom to prevail. 'Jafar' and his evil sidekick 'Iago' provide the needed balance to present Aladdin with a real obstacle. Jafar readily grabs at the chance to elevate his standing by wishing for it, and first wishes to be the Sultan, then the "most powerful sorcerer in the world" and ultimately the "all-powerful genie". This leads him down the path that Aladdin did not take and we get to see exactly what Jafar reaps in the end, which demonstrates that the only way to improve oneself is by exerting an honest effort, not just wishing for it.

IN THE END: WE GET BACK TO WHERE WE BEGAN - "A PRINCESS MUST BE MARRIED TO A PRINCE"

Aladdin must defeat Jafar on his own and in so doing may redeem himself fully in the eyes of Jasmine and her father, the Sultan.



*-----> THE CAST [voices] <-----*

Scott Weinger - Aladdin [Voice]
Brad Kane - Aladdin Singing [Voice]
Robin Williams - Genie [Voice]
Lea Salonga - Singing Jasmine [Voice]
Linda Larkin - Jasmine [Voice]
John Freeman - Jafar [Voice]
Frank Welker - Abu [Voice]
Gilbert Gottfried - Iago [Voice]
Douglas Seale - Sultan [Voice]


*-----> THE PRODUCTION CREW <-----*

Ron Clements - Director / Producer / Screenwriter
John Musker - Director / Producer / Screenwriter
Ted Elliott - Screenwriter
Terry Rossio - Screenwriter
Howard Ashman - Songwriter
Alan Menken - Composer (Music Score)
Tim Rice - Songwriter


SPECIAL FEATURES ON DVD:

*---> DVD Features: [Including abridged promotional material]

--->Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French

---> Available Audio Tracks: English, English, French, Spanish

---> Commentary by: the filmmakers & the animators

---> Restored and enhanced digital transfer with an all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix

---> "A Diamond In The Rough: The Making Of ALADDIN" -- new documentary
Deleted Song "Proud Of Your Boy" -- One of the lost gems by Academy-Award winning songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken

---> Clay Aiken Performs "Proud Of Your Boy" -- This all-new recording is accompanied by both the original storyboards and an all-new music video with footage from the recording studio

---> Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey Performs "A Whole New World" in an All-New Music Video

---> Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man

---> Deleted Scenes & Songs

---> Disney's Virtual DVD Ride: ALADDIN's Magic Carpet Adventure

---> The Art Of ALADDIN + 3 Wishes Game + Inside The Genie's Lamp & Never-Before Seen 3-D Tour + The Genie World Tour -- A hilarious trip around the world with the genie

---> Pop-Up Fun Facts -- Watch the film in this special "trivia mode" feature


SUMMED-UP: VERY COMPELLING VISUAL EXPERIENCE PLUS A WONDERFUL STORY LINE

This is a truly wonderful animated family classic to enjoy watching again and again. It combines excellent catchy songs with wonderful video images. Robin Williams as the Genie is incredible which serves to highlight this very worthwhile story and amazing tale.