Every new Disney live-action remake comes under more and more scrutiny as suspicions grow it will be just a carbon copy of the original, just with real people and modern CGI. The latest movie, ALADDIN, as been met with more weariness beyond those concerns, as many saw the trailers and thought the whole thing just looked…off. However, the movie had its first press screenings the other day ahead of its release this Friday, and while it seems some critics went in skeptical most everyone walked out being pleasantly surprised by just how fun this latest remake is.
Perhaps the biggest negative takeaway from the previews was everyone having to stare down the barrel of a massive, blue Will Smith, which was about as unsettling as those new male/female Snapchat filters. However, many of the critics walked out citing him as the best element of the movie, praising him for carving out his own character from Robin Williams’ work in the original. More praise is given to the young, romantic leads, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott, who have enough charm and chemistry to keep things moving.
The movie isn’t perfect though, with most of the reactions saying there are elements that bring the movie down some (some uneven elements; a so-so third act), but overall hint this is one magic carpet ride you should take – trailers be damned.
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ALADDIN is in theaters May 24.