Last Updated on July 30, 2021
Every new Disney live-action remake comes under more and more scrutiny as suspicions grow it will be just a carbon copy of the original, just with real people and modern CGI. The latest movie, ALADDIN, as been met with more weariness beyond those concerns, as many saw the trailers and thought the whole thing just looked…off. However, the movie had its first press screenings the other day ahead of its release this Friday, and while it seems some critics went in skeptical most everyone walked out being pleasantly surprised by just how fun this latest remake is.
Perhaps the biggest negative takeaway from the previews was everyone having to stare down the barrel of a massive, blue Will Smith, which was about as unsettling as those new male/female Snapchat filters. However, many of the critics walked out citing him as the best element of the movie, praising him for carving out his own character from Robin Williams’ work in the original. More praise is given to the young, romantic leads, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott, who have enough charm and chemistry to keep things moving.
The movie isn’t perfect though, with most of the reactions saying there are elements that bring the movie down some (some uneven elements; a so-so third act), but overall hint this is one magic carpet ride you should take – trailers be damned.
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Not going to lie, was pretty enchanted by @Disney’s #Aladdin. Not a lot else to say besides how delightful I found the whole thing (@ILMVFX knocked it out of the park) and how everyone doubting Will Smith will be eating their words by the end of next week. ?????? pic.twitter.com/y0XMNwKbC5
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) May 19, 2019
Will Smith is legit funny for the first two acts, then he kinda disappears and the movie suffers.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) May 18, 2019
He’s not in it near enough, but Billy Magnussen just slays
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) May 18, 2019
The second #Aladdin started, I began to get choked up. The original is an all-time fave & the remake plays to that nostalgia beautifully. It improves on the original in some ways & is inferior in others but as a long time fan, I truly enjoyed it. It made me feel like a kid again. pic.twitter.com/6VOFGsS001
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 19, 2019
The pair of them absolutely should have been used in the marketing more. They anchor the whole movie.
— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) May 19, 2019
Being straight, I didn't have a lot of confidence going into this one but it was far better than I feared it would be. The marketing is doing it no favors. Not perfect by any means, but a very fun ride.
— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) May 19, 2019
#Aladdin is better than expected. Not the complete disaster critics were expecting, but also not a home run. It’s surprisingly fun. Naomi Scott’s a great Jasmine, but Didn’t love the actor playing Aladdin. The music is better the less it tries to evolve the songs we know.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) May 19, 2019
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#Aladdin isn't terrible but that's where we are with these remakes. Beautiful but hopes that will be enough. Massoud and Scott are solid. Marwan Kenzari says every line like it's dirty and I was here for it! Someone give him something!
— Kristen Lopez (@Journeys_Film) May 19, 2019
#Aladdin Thoughts: A lavish and enjoyable retelling, but not enough of A Whole New World to fully succeed.
Mena Massoud/Naomi Scott are great, while Will Smith brings a fun energy to his take on the Genie, even if the CGI lets him down. The less said about Jafar, the better ???? pic.twitter.com/LTJfkVZKYn
— Digital Spy (@digitalspy) May 8, 2019
Can confirm that the majority of your concerns about #Aladdin, especially anything Will Smith-related, will vanish once that first big song kicks in, but my pick for MVP has got to be @BillyMagnussen! He might just be a comedy genius in waiting. pic.twitter.com/0rMs5S0axn
— Rory Cashin (@roarEcashin) May 8, 2019
Just out of #Aladdin. Not a disaster but v uneven – some of the fistpumpy moments don’t feel earned, and some interesting ideas are a bit undercooked. But Naomi Scott does well, and once the sub-Robin Williams intros are out the way, Will Smith is good fun too
— Shaun Kitchener (@ShaunKitchener) May 16, 2019
Even Will Smith didn't ruin it.
— Joe (@JoePassmore) May 16, 2019
#Aladdin is a wildly stylized reimagining. As a huge fan of the classic this did not disappoint pic.twitter.com/SViYdvtcpt
— Chris Sylvia (@sylvioso) May 19, 2019
#Aladdin is a charming crowd-pleaser that keeps getting better, thanks to contagious musical numbers, Will Smith's charisma, and a fantastic Naomi Scott.
— Nestor Cine (@NestorCine) May 19, 2019
Well guys. Will Smith is literally a fantastic Genie in @disneyaladdin and I am HERE????FOR????IT???? Also I only want to hug Abu with everything in my heart. #Aladdín
— Tiffany Mink (@minkus) May 19, 2019
ALADDIN is in theaters May 24.
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