Charlotte Hagerty Aladdin Film

Whereas the original source material for Aladdin was dry and challenging to get through, the Disney movie was nothing short of a delight. It was my favorite film we have watched thus far and I found myself disappointed when it was over. I appreciated the direct address at the beginning, marked by ‘hitting’ the narrator with the camera. It seems reminiscent to me of a Shakespearean introduction. The Disney easter-eggs scattered throughout, such as Dumbo and Sebastian, were a pleasant surprise. Additionally, I loved all of the animal sidekicks. I was happy that I had forgotten most of the film, as it was a gift to watch it anew. Overall, I found myself watching the film like… 

Like the film, the character of Aladdin also evolved for the better. Right from the beginning he proved that he was selfless, giving his only meal to homeless children that needed it more. Although he was certainly tested, he proved himself again when he used his last wish to set the Genie free. Although he was stealing, I found myself agreeing with his lyric, “Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat”. He was doing no harm to any of these vendors by stealing a loaf of bread or a piece of fruit. Thus, I found myself rooting for him and was happy when he found success and companionship. In the beginning, I found myself wishing I could just give him a hug, I feel like he could have used one. 

Jasmine also evolved as a character. Although her portrayal is still problematic, it is a vast improvement from her being a nameless, meek princess in the text. When she had her triumphant moment of...

I wanted to cheer her on! Often Frozen is regarded as the first feminist Disney film, however Jasmine and her side eye would beg to differ. She knew what she wanted and was not afraid to stand up for it. Her portrayal was still problematic, as it puts forth an unrealistic body image to young children. Additionally, she is wearing basically lingerie, which is most likely not historically accurate. However her character was very inspirational and teaches young girls to fight for what they want.

In dissecting the main characters of the film, I would be remiss to not discuss the Genie. I was blown away by the complexity of the animation and his character. He was simply pure joy. Robin Williams was an incredible talent and that shone through in this film. He was a much needed comic relief and the quickness and creativity of his transformation transfixed me. Also, I want one of these signs to follow me. I think it would do wonders for my self confidence.  

However, every rose is not without a thorn. The portrayal of Middle Eastern culture was problematic in the film: perhaps because it was Disney’s first film starring people of color, or perhaps because the directors simply did not care to be accurate. Many of the supporting characters felt like caricatures, with large noses and larger than life personalities. I am interested to see how Disney rectifies this in the 2019 version, as I know there has been controversy already surrounding the casting. In conclusion this film was a delight, and now I really want to go on a magic carpet ride.