I discovered something interesting: now that I’ve seen this Honest Trailer for ALADDIN, I genuinely have no interest in seeing the movie at all. Not in the “Well, that was dumb” sense; in the “I feel now that I have actually seen the movie” sense. Although, sure: it looks dumb, too. But that’s never stopped me before!
Gotta agree with the Honest Trailer people, too: The Rise of Jafar would have been a more interesting movie. No, wait, that’s coming out in October.
Because I just ain’t seeing it: “The Walt Disney Co.’s live-action remake of “Aladdin” crushed the competition at the box office this Memorial Day weekend, earning more than $207 million worldwide since its debut.” But here’s the important thing: a live-action Aladdin clearly resonated with people, because it’s making money. And since I don’t know why, clearly I need to be told why, so that I can apparently become less ignorant.
So. What’s the draw here? Again, straight-up. No need to justify it, if you wanted to see it. Just tell me what I missed.
Apparently. …Oh. Well. That is, well, somewhat unexpected. Guy Ritchie is a director who makes films that appeal to me, if apparently not that many other people these days; I had a lot of fun at The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and King Arthur.
So, I dunno. Maybe there’ll be a gun battle or two? I’d pay good money to have this flick suddenly shift to a modern-day street score with a snap of the genie’s fingers. Oh my God, but that would actually be amazingly good. I’m now almost mad that they’re not going to do that, in fact. At least it wouldn’t be boring.
Trying to decide how I feel about this Aladdin trailer.
Most of the live-action Disney flicks I am, frankly, meh about. My exceptions are Mulan and Aladdin; Mulan because you can make a very good live-action film out of it with only a little in the way of CGI shrine dragonage; and Aladdin because I will be absolutely fascinated to see who has the self-regard to put his feet in Robin Williams’ sandals. I’m not saying it can’t be done; I’m just saying I can’t begin to think who can do it.
I guess we’ll see!
Well. That will be… something. Yes. ‘Something’ is the word that I would use in this situation.
We’re not surprised to hear that Disney has been planning a live-action retelling of their 1992 animated classic Aladdin–they were previously planning a live-action prequel focusing on the franchise’s popular Genie character, after all–but we were not expecting Guy Ritchie to be the emerging directorial candidate for the job. It looks like everyone’s favorite street-rat will be getting an action-packed treatment in the signature styling of the Sherlock Holmes and Man from U.N.C.L.E. director.
It’s not going to be bad, mind you. In fact, I will probably watch it, enthralled. But I wouldn’t advise taking the kids to see it until after you see about half a dozen reviews from people you trust telling you that it’s safe and won’t give your children nightmares.
Moe Lane
PS: I don’t know who they’re going to sucker into taking the Genie role, either. And it would have to be a full-bore sucker, too. Or an absolute masochist.
