The Trailer For Aladdin Was Released, And …

Have you seen the trailer for the new live-action Aladdin film that comes to theaters in May? I CAN’T WAIT!

Now, I am an Aladdin purist. It was the first Disney movie that I became OBSESSED with when I was in high school.

I saw the animated Disney version in theaters no less than 5 times. I bought the soundtrack, knew all the words to the songs as well as the movie.

I was in love with Genie, played by the late Robin Williams. The movie was just perfect in my eyes.

When I heard there was going to be a live-action version made, I’m going to be honest, I rolled my eyes.

I was so upset. I thought this was just Disney trying to capitalize on the whole live-action craze they have going on right now.

Don’t get me wrong, the live-action versions of films like Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland are surprisingly okay. I’d even go as far as calling them good. But, I am just so in love with the originals.

To me, you could never improve on the perfection that is the animated versions of Disney films. Why, I thought, would you want to fix what isn’t, at all broken?

I was extremely leary when I saw the Aladdin trailer online.

I didn’t want to press the PLAY button on the video. I was salty that Aladdin, MY Aladdin, had been defiled in this live-action way.

I had heard the buzz on the film. Will Smith was playing Genie.

HOW COULD ANYONE BUT ROBIN WILLIAMS BE GENIE?

I tentatively pressed the play button, crouching back and watching with one eye, like the video may explode.

What was this? The Arabian Nights melody played in the background as we saw landscapes of sand dunes blowing in the wind.

We saw a glimpse of the Cave of Wonders. We even saw Aladdin himself.

Okay. This didn’t look half bad.

I kept watching, and there were scenes of a colorful parade down the streets of Agrabah (I’m assuming they will keep the same Agrabah name).

There was, what I’m assuming is Jasmine walking down the steps of a palace with her trusty tiger, Rajah.

Hmmm. I actually felt a bit intrigued.

It’s when the cave of wonders spoke, they had me hooked.

It’s the cave!! The same cave from the animated version!! It’s looking for the diamond in the rough, and SPOILER ALERT, it’s going to be ALADDIN!!

I could barely contain myself! This flutter grew in my chest, and I felt the excitement the original film brought.

Now I know, Will Smith has gotten a bad rap for his attempt at recreating the Genie. Let’s get real for a minute.

Anyone who tries to fill the shoes of Robin Williams’ Genie is going to get a ginormous backlash. Genie MADE the first movie.

He was loved by so many. His Genie was WAS Genie, and you could NEVER improve on trying to recreate him exactly.

Smith has some HUGE shoes to fill in trying to capture this beloved character.

I say, give him a chance. Let’s face it. He won’t be Robin Williams.

There is no other Robin Williams. Smith has the opportunity to bring his own persona and humor to this larger-than-life character. Don’t go into it EXPECTING him to be the same GENIE.

Just enjoy who he makes the part to be.

Now, I could be totally off base here. He might suck royally, but I’m trying to take the positive approach (which I don’t normally do) with this. I want to like this film.

I want to like this Genie.

The director of the film, Guy Richie had a tough task in recreating this film. Let’s go into it with an open mind, and enjoy it for what it is.

(p.s. Jafar is being tagged as “hot Jafar,” so that might be worth the watch anyway!)

Come on May 24th! I can’t wait!!