Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Audience Rating: Universal, suitable for all Binding: DVD EAN: 5017188814645 Format: PAL Label: Walt Disney Home Video Manufacturer: Walt Disney Home Video Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: Walt Disney Home Video Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2004-10-04 Running Time: 87 Studio: Walt Disney Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 1992-11-25
Disney's 1992 animated feature Aladdin is a triumph of wit and skill. The high-tech artwork and graphics look great, the characters are strong, the familiar story is nicely augmented with an interesting villain (Jafar, voiced by Jonathan Freeman), and there's an incredible hook atop the whole thing: Robin Williams's frantically hilarious vocal performance as Aladdin's genie. Even if one isn't particularly moved by the love story between the title character (Scott Weinger) and his girlfriend Jasmine (Linda Larkin), you can easily get lost in Williams's improvisational energy and the equally entertaining performances of Freeman and Gilbert Gottfried (as Jafar's parrot). --Tom Keogh
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: ultimet Disney yet again that sticks to my heart like honey Comment: Aladdin is an entirely different spin on the fairy tale genre mainly focusing on the hero rather than the heroine perspective.
Genie(Robin Williams)steals the film as Disneys' most fabulous and hilarious creation ever!!!
a very remarkable film that matches the likes of The Lion king, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty & The Beast.
it is visually stunning and is full of pop culture references throughout.
and to top it all off...it was released on the year i was born.
Aladdin is a masterpiece! Customer Rating: Summary: One of Disney's funniest and likeable films with pop-culture references. Comment: The voice talent is exceptional - the most noteworthy and memorable being the quick-changing Genie as voiced Robin Williams, who gave this film plenty of funny pop-culture references and importantly an emotional depth as well as the laughs. Abu's chimp noises and some words also made me giggle, Aladdin's boyish charm and cockiness and Jasmine's independent thinking and strong character voices fit perfectly and Jafar has the traditional Disney menace coupled with the abrasive sidekick parrot Iago.
Pacing: The film itself never bores and it's pacing's fast. There have obviously been changes to the old Arabian Nights story/stories this film is based on, but as part fairy tale romance, part adventure, part buddy comedy etc this works according to how Disney do things and what audiences have come to expect from them.
Animation: Cartoony-looking but simple well done 2D. Like the way the computer animation for the Cave Of Wonders and Magic Carpet pattern were done and are quite seamless with the 2D (as well as making a rectangle have a full of personality). The character design is very good, and even if there's some quibbles with exaggerated Arab features, while Al and Jasmine look different to them ethnically, the wonderfully realised aforementioned Genie steals the show.
Music: Excellent and memorable Broadway musical-type songs. Arabian Nights sets the tone, gives a feeling we're in somewhere else and is a good title opening song, One Jump Ahead makes a good jaunty song when Aladdin is chased by the guards in the streets, Friend Like Me is a jazzy, toe-tapping sang by Genie with a big, brassy production, Prince Ali is one of my fave, over-the-top, lavish, sing along, introducing him to the Sultan and of course, then the often-murdered-by-reality-TV-contestants-and-drunk-people-doing-karoake classic: A Whole New World. It's still to me, as soaring and brilliant as ever (the original in the film and the end-credit version only, though). Even though it seems to inspired nearly everyone to think they can sing it, when not many can actually sing it half as well as the version heard in the film, it's still a soaring, goose bumps-causing, lovely love song, just so long as those that love to sing it don't do so in public unless they have the vocal talent ... Oh, and the orchestral score's really good too.
Overall: Another classic following Beauty and the Beast that is Disney at it's formula 90s Renaissance best, that has a simple story, likable and memorable characters and sidekicks, nice 2D animation with some CGI used here and there(that blends with the 2D well) and the all important crowd-pleasing show tunes songs. It has changed stuff from the original story and as aforementioned, and does follow the formula this company has used successfully since the late 80s, I think but it's pretty much everything I could wish for of a Disney version of the story.
Extras:
Disc 1
Aside from the lovely digitally restored version of the 92 film, it also has quite a lot of Bonus Features.
Deleted Songs: Proud Of Your Boy, which is the original demo when the Aladdin film originally had his mother there. We are shown some rough storyboards and it's a song about essentially apologising to his mother and wanting to make her proud of him. It gets quite emotional in the introduction before it, as it meant a lot to the late Howard Ashman. It's sang by Menken with a rough storyboard sketches and paintings of how the sequence would be. It's a very good Broadway-type song and it's a shame it was cut due to story changes.
You Can Count On Me: Introduced by Ron Clements, it's the first song written after Ashman had died, and during the story changes, Menken came up with the music and lyrics for this. It's a song with Aladdin with Abu expressing what his dreams and aspirations are. It's a quite sweet melodic ballad but I can see why it was cut. As before, rough drawings and painted ones are used during the song to illustrate it.
Humiliate The Boy: Introduced by John Musker, it's the last song Menken and Ashman collaborated on and it was in the earlier version of the film, before it changed. It was supposed to occur two-thirds of the way into the film and sang by Jafar. It's quite a light, fun villainous song. No colour painted drawings here, only rough sketches.
Why Me: Introduced by Musker again, in another attempt to give Jafar a song, Menken and Rice produced this. It's supposed to give a feeling of Jafar thinking he's been put upon and it's his time to reign as Sultan. Some partly coloured sketches. It's a good song about him whining and plotting until we see the same similar scenes in the final film during the climax. I can see why they cut this in favour of the Prince Ali Reprise though as that's probably more effective.
Deleted Scenes:
Aladdin & Jasmine's First Meeting: Earliest version of Aladdin, he meets her in quite a different way to the finished film. He steals money from a swindler and hides in a palm tree, overlooking the Sultan's palace garden. Some of the spirit of this ends up in the final film. I thought it was quite funny, and there's some partly coloured sketched pictures in the storyboard.
Aladdin In The Lap Of Luxury: Another from a very early version of Aladdin where he had a mum. Here he's enjoying the privileges of having the Genie and lamp, but his refusal to tell Jasmine the truth about himself and also loosing his temper at the Genie, his efforts to make his mum proud backfire badly. There are no colour sketches here only rough black and white ones.
Music & More
Music Videos: Proud Of Your Boy performed by Clay Aiken new music video - after choosing a choice of audio options (2.0 DD mix and 5.1 HTM), you can hear the deleted song from the aforementioned earlier version of the film. The video's a simple studio recording of Clay backed by a full orchestra. He has a simply very good Broadway-type voice that fits this song like a glove.
Original Story Reel: Roughly sketchy storyboard partly coloured and some painted to show how the scenes would've gone with the song.
Behind-The-Scenes of the Music Video: Showing why they re-recorded the scrapped song as a tribute to the late Ashman, and also why Clay was chosen to sing the memorable ballad because of his `tremendous voice' and how the lyrics mirrored his own relationship with his Mum. Shot scenes of him singing it and Menken playing the piano are shown. This is how DVD, as quoted from Menken "presents how a good song never gets lost and somehow it will find it's life again and to get to revisit this again is wonderful ad bittersweet at the same time". The song gives me chills, and we even see Menken wipe away a tear during the recording.
A Whole New World performed by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey new music video - a studio recording of the then married pair singing the famous duet. Lachey's voice is fine (if a tad feminine in places), but the cheesy facial expressions he does singing and looking at his wife are a bit cringeworthy. Jess's voice on the other hand sounds too affected, breathy and light to be enjoyed by this long time fan of the song. It almost sounds like Britney singing it ... she's fine at holding the long notes though, but her voice irritates me a bit. It's OK, but the film version still better to me.
Behind-The-Scenes of The Music Video: How they made the song they're own and different to the R n B original end credit duet version (although I prefer that one better). They also talk about how honoured they are to be singing it and different takes of them performing it.
Performed by Regina Belle & Peabo Bryson original music video (1992) - the classic Disney end-credit version of the love ballad. I just love this and the film version above and beyond all other covers of it. They have a real, non-cringeworthy chemistry in the video and their voices blend perfectly. And most importantly, there's a genuine soul in their singing. I always get goosebumps and tears in my eyes hearing this version of the song - just lovely.
Disney Song Selection
Here, you can choose to jump in the film to the songs: Arabian Nights, One Jump Ahead, Friend Like Me, Prince Ali and A Whole New World. Play All or Play Movie (with lyrics on screen) options too.
Backstage Disney
Filmmakers' Audio Commentary - John Musker, Ron Clements and Amy Pell: Discussion about the narrator at the beginning and how the title song is a shortened version of a longer song, The basic colour scheme of the film (blue - water-good, red-heat - bad, gold - kinda bad but a little neutral and green - good), the first CGI element of the film - Cave of Wonder's tiger head and the man who does the voice of Abu does the voice of the tiger's head and Rajah the tiger. How they made Aladdin sympathetic as a thief with a Robin Hood-type element, where the two producers made a small crowd cameo in the film, the cartoonish look on the film and how the cinematography reflects the characters (visual cinematography). Also problems in animating (like when Aladdin is in shackled to the wall) as well as the woman who animated Jafar in disguise was pregnant during the making of it.
They discuss too the Raiders of the Lost Ark moment in the film and the CGI element to the innovative roller coaster ride following it. Aladdin was also drawn to look older and like Tom Cruise. The energetic Genie sequence and William's initial reluctant to sing. Banter about Jasmine's `fashion-statement' mid-riff and its influence. The change of the infinite number of wishes (in the original story) to just three gave more importance to each wish. Some inside jokes are said, like Sebastian and Pinocchio making a cameo and even Beast in the pile of toys Sultan stacks up. How the Prince Ali song was the only song in the film written when Ashman was sick, but before he died. The canopy in Jasmine's room to echo a birdcage effect visually and the controversial urban myth isn't true - the actor ad-libbed "Good tiger, take off! Scat, go!" and Jasmine's strange look after is because she thinks he looks familiar. We find out that Linda Larkin, who voices Jasmine can sing, but they needed a soaring soprano for the A Whole New World sequence. Robin Williams even came up with calling Aladdin `Al'. There's even a slight breaking of the Fourth Wall gag. They say they like the two sequels, as the end is vague. The Narrator at the beginning was originally supposed to turn out to be the Genie. They continue into the end credits concluding that they made it to be for the whole family - not just for kids.
Animator's Audio Commentary - the lead animators share their opinions on the film.
Pop Up Fun Facts - fun facts pop up on screen: This is just essentially blue text that gives you information on things mentioned in the commentaries and a bit more (like the fact it's set in the 15th century).
Disc 2: You hear on the menu screen Iago and Jafar arguing inside the lamp.
Games & Activities:
Aladdin's Magic Carpet Adventure - A Disney Virtual DVD Ride: Essentially, you have to rescue Jasmine from the sand hourglass thing.
Inside The Genie's Lamp - Guided Tour and Self-Guided Tour
3 Wishes Game - Your Fortune Revealed - A game (like a game-arcade type machine thing) where you have to get a coin into Jafar's mouth to get a wish.
The Genie World Tour.
Backstage Disney:
A Diamond In The Rough - The Making of Aladdin: Choice of 3 Viewing Mode Options or "wishes" - almost 2hrs covering about everything in the behind-the-scenes (An Evening With The Creators of Aladdin - reunion for the DVD).
Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man - His life and how he's influenced Disney films since The Little Mermaid.
The Art of Aladdin:
Art Review with Filmakers' Commentary
Still Frame Galleries.
Publicity:
Original Theatrical Trailer
Publicity Gallery - Theatrical Posters, Unused Concepts and Theme Parks.
Original Trailer: Aladdin and the King of Thieves
Original Trailer: The Return of Jafar
8/10.
Customer Rating: Summary: a great old Disney animation Comment: In this Disney family animation, street thief Aladdin runs into the princess and falls in love with her, but she can only marry a prince.
It has been some years since we have seen a classic 2D animation as we enter a stage in film where everything is about visual effects rather than the narrative, and thankfully we have these wonderful films to look back on with a good solid plot, which is funny, strong and consistent throughout, and which is proper entertainment for the whole family.
With brilliant characters with their own issues on their shoulders does the film achieve depth and variety for viewers, such as Aladdin wishing for more, Jafar wishing for power and Jasmine wishing for love. And its through these goals does the film become inspirational and enjoyable, and the one character who breaks all the boundaries is the genie.
Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting) is the only person who could have made the genie what he is with a simply outrageous performance as the blue hero, with great magic, catchphrases and sing a longs. Easily the funniest character in Disney history in my personal opinion, the Genie has great charisma in helping others with his own personal life a sweet and soft moment for the film.
There have been numerous times when I have watched this film and not noticed something different and it somehow seems to get better with every watch.
Though does run on a few clichés there is no question that it does so in a very sophisticated and sentimental way which makes it feel more real and believable.
The situations used and the ideology of good vs evil make the plot intense and exciting throughout. The use of magic was a very powerful device and makes the story even more special and brilliant.
The film also has a terrific Oscar winning music score, which includes the outstanding song "A whole new world" which is possibly one of the best used songs in animation history.
With a magical tale, great characters and a beautiful music score, Aladdin is a fantastic family animation and one of Disney's best.
9/10 Customer Rating: Summary: Brilliant! Comment: This undoubtedly is one of the best Disney films ever made. Great songs, hilarious characters, and a magical story that the whole family can enjoy. This film shows Aladdin, a street rat as he is referred to by the Palace guards, scrapping for every thing he can get, along with his pet monkey Abu.
Menawhile, Princess Jasmine is having suitor after suitor trying to marry her, all of which she hates. Her father, the Sultan, does not know what to do, so calls upon his royal visier, the evil Jafar, and his boystrous parrot Iago. Jafar plans to get a magic lamp from the cave of wonders, but he cannot enter, so he discovers that Aladdin can enter, and he plans for Aladdin to get the lamp, then Jafar will have three wishes from a Genie and become Sultan, marrying Princess Jasmine. Confused? Anyway, Princess Jasmine runs away and is saved by Aladdin on the streets of Agrabah. Jafar has Aladdin put in prison. Jafar then forces Aladdin to get the lamp, which he does, Jafar tries to kill Aladdin, but Abu foils him, and Aladdin and Abu fall into the cave of wonders... with the lamp. The Genie will grant Aladdin three wishes. Aladdin wants to go back to the Palace to try and win over Jasmine, Jasmine not knowing that Aladdin is the boy who saved her on the streets. Aladdin, Abu and a magic Carpet help Jasmine leave the Palace and fly around to a musical number. When Jasmine returns Jafar has already tricked the Sultan into making Jasmine marry Jafar. Aladdin eventually saves Jasmine and tells the Sultan how Jafar tried to have him killed. Jafar escpaes and plans for Iago to steal the lamp. Iago brings the lamp to Jafar, who corrputs Genie, and becomes a Genie himself. Aladdin saves everyone and traps Jafar in the lamp. Aladdin with his final wish sets Genie free, and the film ends.
A wonderful film, 5 stars, no question, some great songs! I would recommend. Customer Rating: Summary: A shoddy reprsentation of arabia! Comment: I honestly ask you why do disney still think that kids will beleive anything. For one thing this movie is totally out of date, travel to this region of the world today and your more likely to find flying body parts than a flying carpet. on the plus side lady lamond seemed to enjoy it and why not this is quite a magical film for kids and alsohas quite a strong moral of poor can marry royalty.
Overall View: more entertaining than hamlet or hitler on a night out in jerusalem.
![Aladdin (Special Edition) [1993]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518DBCVYTBL._SL160_.jpg)
