Media Magick

And the trailer of Aladdin is here, the trailer of Walt Disney’s Aladdin (which was under discussion on social media, electronic and print media) is released finally. Aladdin is all set to release on 24^th May, 2019. As far as the 2.25 minute trailer of Aladdin is concerned it shows Prince of Persia styled Mena Massoud jumping on the narrow streets of Agrabah and dodging the army of Sultan of Agrabah for god knows whatever reasons with Abu finally resting on his shoulder. On the other hand, just like in Yash Raj Films how a heroin in white chiffon saaree turns to look at the hero of her dreams, Jasmine (Naomi Scott) turns to look at Aladdin – well that’s way too filmy for Walt Disney! No?

Then comes Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) who radiates “ZERO” evil looks or expressions. Plus, his voice is very meek – oh my goodness, how will he don the character of the menace of all JAFAR? If you listen closely to his voice when he’s trying to convince Aladdin to bring him the lamp, he sounds anything but manipulative or intimidating. As if it’s Fardeen Khan trying to be furious lol. Sets look huge and the canvass is spread with flamboyant and flashy props which attract the viewers. But that’s just the scene, what about the soul of the storytelling and performance? At the end of the day it’s all about the soul. No?

Anyway, coming back to the trailer’s breakdown, once Aladdin is shown inside the cave of wonders, he is shown with the “Lamp”, the lamp looks a very bad version of CGI-ed lamp with the kind of colors and sparkling polish over it, considering as if it was vacuumed every other day! And then comes out the GENIE! No, not the greatest of all Robin Williams but the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I wouldn’t say that Smith won’t bring laughter to his audience, even in the trailer there are a few interesting dialogues which he has performed quite well like;

Aladdin: Can you make me a prince?

Genie: There’s a lot of grey area, in ‘Make me a prince’, I can just make you a prince!

But the point is, will Aladdin be as effective in terms of storytelling, performances, script and execution as 1992’s animated Aladdin which became a classing and kids of that era and onwards loved it to a level that besides growing old they even today want to watch it over and over again not just because of nostalgic values but because of the entertainment it still manages to offer.

From the entire look of Aladdin’s trailer, it is very difficult to say that the feature film will surpass the 1992’s animated film Aladdin; but then there are times when I love to be proven wrong. Let’s just hope and wish 90’s kids thoroughly enjoy the movie and will take their kids to watch this newer, Bollywood-ish and larger than life version classic Aladdin!

Trailer Aladdin: