Aladdin

A re-viewing review of the longtime Best of All favorite. After having had my view of the Disney universe hierarchy severely challenged by watching this film's predecessor (Beauty and the Beast), I narrowly maintain that this work still represents the zenith of the canon. Like BATB, this classic features amazing animation, terrific songs, a great story with strong emotional underpinnings—both films have it all. So what nudges Aladdin ever so slightly into the lead? On top of everything else, it’s fun and funny, which is ground upon which Belle and company mostly don’t tread. That is largely the product of Robin Williams’ insanely great performance as the Genie—and the animators’ ability to play off his antics with memorable and equally zany visuals. Also worth noting is that the stakes are so high in this tale; unlike other Disney villains, whose schemes are mostly evil on an interpersonal level, Jafar is actually out to rule the world, not to make a fur coat. He is the most truly dangerous character in all the canon, and is so expertly portrayed in voice by Jonathan Freeman that his presence elevates the proceedings onto a higher plane. Even after all these years, Aladdin remains a great movie to watch, one of the top films of all time—I have it at No. 6 on my personal Top 10 list—and it stands up not just to the ravages of time and the faultiness of memory, but also to any potential challenges from other films, no matter how great they are. Truly, this movie created a whole new world of cinematic enjoyment, and its treasure remains shiny and bright to this day.