Aladdin is
a Disney cartoon featuring a character we all wish we had as a friend: the
Genie. The movie is filled with endless thrills, plot twists, and music you
can’t help but like and sing along to. The film’s intro is a narrative, where a
merchant tells us the tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp.
This 1992
Disney classic is based on the Arab folktale Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from One
Thousand and One Nights. The idea for the movie was pitched by the late Howard
Ashman (who passed away before the film’s release). Ashman was behind many
Disney classics, including Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid,
and Beauty and the Beast. He was a writer, lyricist, and producer, and he
wrote the lyrics for "Arabian Nights," "Friend Like Me,"
and "Prince Ali," all featured in this movie.
Aladdin’s
story follows a street boy who runs into Princess Jasmine after she escapes the
palace to experience life outside its walls, where she isn’t constantly told
what to do. While they’re together, Aladdin is captured by soldiers under the
orders of Jafar, the Grand Vizier to the Sultan of Agrabah (Jasmine’s father).
Jafar needs
Aladdin to retrieve a magical oil lamp containing a Genie from the Cave of
Wonders.
The story then shifts to what happens when Jafar doesn’t get the lamp, but Aladdin does. While trying to read the inscriptions on the lamp, Aladdin accidentally releases the Genie and is granted three wishes.
As the song
goes, “You never had a friend like me…” And it’s true! Throughout Disney’s
animated history, we’ve never found a character more appealing to have around.
The Genie is simply the best person to have in your corner.
The movie’s
screenplay explores fantasy, world travel, fireworks, and action scenes.
Aladdin was
a box office hit, earning over $500 million during its theatrical run. It also
spawned two direct-to-DVD sequels and a TV series. The film won numerous
awards, especially for its music. It took home two Academy Awards: Best
Original Score and Best Original Song for "A Whole New World." It
also won four Grammy Awards: Best Soundtrack Album, Song of the Year for “A
Whole New World,” Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “A
Whole New World,” and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television, or
Other Visual Media for "A Whole New World."
Love it or
not, Aladdin boasts some of the best music in Disney history. It’s
funny, fun to watch, and a must-have for your collection. If you don’t own this
DVD yet, your Disney collection isn’t complete.
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