In The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, Disney was having a renaissance of sorts. For although the Mouse House had been bold in the films it had made during the 80s, it didn't result in box office gold. After wonder of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast Disney couldn't hit three home runs in a row could they? Oh yes they could. Welcome to the whole new world of Aladdin.

​

When street rat Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds that the evil has other plans for the lamp - and for Princess Jasmine. But can Aladdin save Princess Jasmine and his love for her after she sees that he isn't quite what he appears to be?

 

There are many, many reasons why Aladdin is such a universally, beloved classic. There's the story itself which is a fun, colourful, adventurous romp with incredible characters from Aladdin to Jasmine to the wonderful Iago. 

 

But Aladdin is probably best known for Robin Williams Genie. Even James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons thunderous performance in The Lion King can't be topped by Williams Genie. What makes it such an incredible performance is that the Genie is Robin Williams and Williams is the Genie - it's hard to see where one begins and the others hand drawn, blue body ends. It's a colourful, hilarious, and heartbreaking performance that is the best voice acting we will probably never see.

 

And then there are the songs all wondrous, all catchy, all staying in your mind, all being hummed weeks later. But the one song that is one of the most recognisable Disney songs is the love ballad A Whole New World. Absolutely superb.

 

Aladdin is a colourful, funny, animated musical that more than earns its classic status.