Back in May this year, Eloise wrote a glowing two-thumbs-up review for Disney’s live-action version of Aladdin. If that didn’t convince you that you should add this to your collection of Blu-Rays, costumes and Funko Pops of Disney princesses, read on.
While Aladdin hasn’t actually been my favourite Disney film of all time (Mulan will always have that special place), I could be mistaken for a fan. I can sing all the music from the 1992 animated classic. I’ve traveled to Melbourne to watch the live musical (HIGHLY recommmended, btw). And now I own the Blu-Ray. As a mistaken Aladdin fan, I feel it’s my duty to wax poetic about the one thing anyone cares about on the home theatre release: the Special Features. Because they are great. Like, so great, I wonder why some things weren’t included in the actual film. Here’s the rundown:
ALADDIN’S VIDEO JOURNAL: A NEW FANTASTIC POINT OF VIEW
Mena Massoud (Aladdin) was given a phone to document his experience during the shoot. What an awesome idea! I loved seeing the different sets that he got to work with. Apart from the one time he had to lie at the bottom of a giant tank of water with his hands bound and NO OXYGEN, it made me super-jealous of anyone who has gotten to work on Disney sets.
DELETED SONG: “DESERT MOON”
Why was this not in the movie??! As a new duet between Jasmine and Aladdin which centres around a song that both their mothers taught them, I was absolutely moved by this. Dare I say it…I think it even rivals “A Whole New World” in feels.
GUY RITCHIE: A CINEMATIC GENIE
A sneak-peak into the director’s brain! Back in 1998, Guy Ritchie stole my heart as a director in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It blows my mind that he got this gig and am super-happy about it. This movie NEEDED a parkouring Aladdin and a director who wasn’t afraid of frame rates to back him up.
A FRIEND LIKE GENIE
Will Smith’s thought process behind his embodiment of the genie. He had big shoes to fill (RIP Robin Williams) and I don’t envy him, but I think he did a pretty good job!
DELETED SCENES
Ahahaha there are so many good ones. You know, usually you watch deleted scenes and go, “Okay, I see why these got removed”. This might be the exception. My absolute fave has to be a scene dedicated to Prince Anders (Billy Magnussen). Seriously, that guy needed more screen time.
BLOOPERS
As if the deleted scenes weren’t funny enough! I’m definitely not complaining though.
MUSIC VIDEOS
Three videos, including “Speechless” performed by Naomi Scott (Jasmine). You got it right, Disney. You got it right.
Aladdin is out now on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD.
