Publisher: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Ages: five and up
Parental
Advisory:
Mild violence
and language
Daytrum Editor's Choice
It's a joy to once again experience Disney's immensely entertaining Aladdin. In this Special Platinum Edition on DVD, it's all here: the compelling animated movie, the Academy Award winning music and Robin William's hysterical shape-shifting, wise-cracking Genie. And the two-disc DVD set offers amazing extras that appeal to movie and animation fans.
The story is about Aladdin, a commoner who falls in love with the free-spirited Princess Jasmine. His life changes with the rub of a magic lamp and when Robin William's comical Genie makes a memorable entrance and grants him three wishes. The film is indeed a magic carpet ride of adventure, visuals, songs and funny gags.
For animation and Disney fans, the insightful and fascinating "A Diamond In The Rough: The Making Of Aladdin" documentary offers interviews with the animators and the film's creative team. Equally interesting is the audio commentary by the filmmakers. There's a gallery of concept art and deleted scenes, and a fun Genie animation that was used to encourage Robin Williams to do the project. The remaining gem is a documentary about Alan Menken, called Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man, where the composer discusses his career as well as his work with the late Howard Ashman.
Rounding out the disc are kid-oriented activities that include a virtual carpet ride, a 3D tour of the Genie's lamp, A Genie world tour and more. There's a schmaltzy rendition of a deleted song, "Proud Of Your Boy," performed by Clay Aiken and the requisite pop star music video, a performance of "A Whole New World."
On DVD, Aladdin offers a whole new world. Animation fans and families will not want to miss this one.
10/15/04 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
