Aladdin The Series: 20 Years Later

Mitchell Stein- Coming right off the tremendous success of Aladdin in 1992, it was clear that there was a lot of demand for more Aladdin products and films. Continuing directly off the events of Return of Jafar, the television show brought back all of the favorites from the Aladdin films and aired on Disney Afternoon for a few years before moving to CBS. 

Being a major fan of the Aladdin film, I really do enjoy this show a lot. It obviously doesn’t match up against the original film, but it stands as a great show on its own feet. Just like the films before it, Genie stands out as the greatest aspect of the show, delivering the most hilarious scenes. Dan Castenella returned to perform the voice of Genie, previously voicing the character in Return of Jafar. While not quite the same as Robin Williams, I couldn’t possibly think of anyone nearly as perfect to step into the role of Genie. Castenella is hilarious as the Genie, although sometimes he can end up sounding a bit like his character Homer Simpson. The other characters are great too. Gilbert Gottfried is back as Iago and even better than he was in the movie. Iago steals almost every episode with the most memorable of lines. Where Genie is more slapstick-type humor, Iago always delivers the last laugh through dialogue. Also returning is Scott Weinger as Aladdin, Linda Landin is back as Princess Jasmine once again and Jim Cummings as Razoul. 

Then of course the villains are equally fantastic. Most notably, there's Mechanicles, who describes himself as "the greatest of the great Greek geniuses" who planned his evildoing by his mechanical creations, most memorably, giant mechanical insects in the episode "Getting the Bugs Out". Sadira is a great returning character who begins as a jealous and determined girl who attempts to get Aladdin to herself by any means necessary. Although she makes an appearance in "Strike Up the Sand" her most notable debut was in "SandSwitch" where she sets a memory eraser over everyone in order to lure people with false memories that she was the princess and Jasmine was just another street rat. Unfortunately for Sadira, the spell did not work on animals, and Iago and Abu get in the way of her plans. Sadira comes to join up with Aladdin later in the series and becomes good friends with the group. My favorite by far is Abis Mal, voiced by Jason Alexander and makes his first appearance in Return of Jafar. He is the main antagonist in the first episode of the series, "Air Feather Friends" and makes several recurring appearances throughout the rest of the series. Jason Alexander is just hilarious so there's no doubt that this is my favorite villain throughout the series. 

Although it can be rather silly at times, I really love this show. I think it’s one of the best crafted Disney television of the era..The story follows Aladdin and Jasmine still planning to get married (which they never do in the series, but finally get married in The Forty Thieves). What I think it's lacking is probably musical numbers like The Little Mermaid television series did before it, or at least an original opening song. The opening theme used was reminiscent of "Arabian Nights" with very different lyrics. I think I would have preferred the show with some songs like the movies before them. 

Twenty years later, Aladdin: The Series still stands as a great and fairly entertaining television series, although quite forgotten by Disney fans. I do hope this series makes it's way to Blu-Ray or DVD sometime soon. 

111 Awesome Disney Songs, Part 5

Ryan Dosier - Look, I'm being consistent and updating this list again! Let's jump forward with even more Awesome Disney songs!

45.)   "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room" from Disneyland
This is one of those songs that immediately makes me think of Disneyland, and makes me wonder why I'm sitting here typing and not in the park right now. It's chock full of great, silly lyrics and jokes ("I sing so beautiful, I should sing solo." "Si, so low we can't hear you!"), and the birds are all wonderfully fun characters. Really, there's not much more to say other than I adore this attraction and this song. Favorite Lyrics: "All the birds sing words/And the flowers croon/In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room!"

46.)   "I've Got No Strings" from Pinocchio
Pinocchio is one of my favorite films, and the music is such a huge part of why it's so delightfully charming and enjoyable. This little number performed by Pinocchio as part of Strombolli's marionette show is so innocent and sweet... until the saucy German marionette girls swoop in. It's funny, it's fun, the music is simple but delightful, and the lyrics are adorable. Just like Pinocchio. Favorite Lyrics: "I've got no strings/So I have fun/I'm not tied up to anyone/They've got strings/But you can see/There are no strings on me."

47.)   "Dig a Little Deeper" from The Princess and the Frog
My favorite song from The Princess and the Frog is Mama Odie's brilliantly upbeat and joyful "Dig a Little Deeper." This song breathes so much life into Mama Odie, a character who only appears in a few scenes in the film, but steals every one of them. Couple that with the soulful vocals of Jenifer Lewis, and you've got one of the finest gospel-themed songs in any animated film. It's a blast. Favorite Lyrics: "Don't matter what ya look like/Don't matter what ya wear/How many rings ya got on your fingers?/We don't care--no, we don't care!"

48.)   "It's Gonna Be Great" from Winnie the Pooh
One of the most vastly underrated Disney animated features is 2011's Winnie the Pooh. It's so deliciously funny and clever, and its charm is never-ending. One of my favorite moments from the film is this song that Tigger sings with Eeyore as he helps the morose donkey become a Tigger. The song is, dare I say it, bouncy, and one of the finest singing performances from the legendary Jim Cummings. Favorite Lyrics: "Strike me down, give me all you got/Bounce me, trounce me, flounce me, pounce me/Do it, do it, do it/It's gonna be great, it's gonna be great, it's gonna be great."

49.)   "That's How You Know" from Enchanted
Ah, the modern day fairytale classic Enchanted. Not only is it one of Amy Adams' best performances, but the film features new music from Alan Menken and its awesome. No song is better than the show stopping production number "That's How You Know." The dancing, singing, spectacle is one of the best in live action Disney films. Trivia: the old men dancing in the park were the original "Step in Time" dancers from Mary Poppins! Favorite Lyrics: "Well does he leave a little note/To tell you you are on his mind/Send you yellow flowers when the sky is gray?/He'll find a new way to show you/A little bit everyday."

50.)   "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast
A spectacular opening number to one of Disney's finest features. "Belle" is a wonderful example of group performance and echoes Broadway-style music better than any Disney animated feature song before it. Leave it to Howard Ashman and Alan Menken for that! The catchy, "talking" lyrics, the refrain of "Bonjour!" to open the song, Paige O'Hara as Belle, and so much more make this song simply delightful. Favorite Lyrics: "There goes the baker with his tray, like always/The same old bread and rolls to sell/Every morning just the same/Since the morning that we came/To this poor provincial town/Good morning, Belle!"

51.)   "Topsy Turvy" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
A break from the dark tones of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is this joyful, colorful blast midway through the film. Clopin, the clown gypsy, sings the song with ease and speed. It's so much fun to watch all the wacky things going on in Paris on this Topsy Turvy Day. It also provides a brief moment of happiness for poor Quasimodo... before ripping it away in one of the film's darkest scenes. But still, fun song. Favorite Lyrics: "Once a year, we throw a party here in town/Once a year, we turn all Paris upside down/Every man's a king, and every king's a clown/Once a year on Topsy Turvy Day!"

52.)   "I've Got a Dream" from Tangled
Tangled features one of the few songs in modern-day Disney animated features to be primarily performed by unnamed characters, and it's this riotous ditty "I've Got a Dream." The main singers, voiced by Brad Garrett and Jeffery Tambor, are never given names, but their plights and their dreams are wonderful. It's such a treat to hear incredibly different voices like these performing in a Disney feature. This is perhaps my favorite moment in all of Tangled. Favorite Lyrics: "I've got scars, and lumps, and bruises/And something here that oozes/And let's not even mention my complexion!/But despite my extra toes, and my goiter, and my nose/I really wanna make a love connection!"

53.)   "Proud of Your Boy" from Aladdin (Deleted Song)
The only deleted song included on the whole list is also the fifth Alan Menken song in a row! Of course, "Proud of Your Boy" went on to be a major player in the Broadway version of Aladdin, but originally it was penned by Alan and Howard Ashman for the animated film. It was cut after a sub-plot involving Aladdin's mother was removed. But the song is so important and soft and powerful. It's one of the most resonating Disney songs, period, and I'm so thrilled that it has found a home on Broadway. Favorite Lyrics: "Proud of your boy/I'll make you proud of your boy/Believe me, bad as I've been mom/You're in for a pleasant surprise/I've wasted time/I've wasted me/So say I'm slow for my age/A late bloomer/Okay, I agree!"

54.)   "Winnie-the-Pooh" from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
I just need to hear someone start humming this song, and I immediately have to start singing along. It's so bouncy and catchy and lovely. This Sherman Brothers tune evokes everything that Winnie the Pooh represents: joy and kindness and friendship. Plus, it's a really handy way to remember all of the Pooh characters (except the oddly absent Tigger) in one handy song! Favorite Lyrics: "Deep in the Hundred Acre Woods/Where Christopher Robin plays/You'll find the enchanted neighborhood/Of Christopher's childhood days..."

55.)   "Bella Notte" from Lady and the Tramp
"Bella Notte" is one of the most wonderful Disney love songs, and one that often gets overlooked in favor of the newer era of songs. Still, its music and lyrics are some of the best to be found in the Disney canon. Performed by Tony, the Italian restauranteur who feeds Lady and the Tramp the famous spaghetti, "Bella Notte" is the perfect accompaniment to any romantic dinner or occasion. Favorite Lyrics: "This is the night/It's a beautiful night/And we call it bella notte/Look at the skies/They have stars in their eyes/On this lovely belle notte."

Celebrating Robin Williams

Ryan Dosier - As I sit here watching Aladdin for what must be the hundredth time, I find myself, once again, legitimately stunned speechless by the immense talent of Robin Williams. A singular, irreplaceable entity of a man, a warlock of comedy whose instinct is unmatched, and a force of nature if ever there was one, Robin Williams seemed to light up any production he was in, perhaps none more so than Aladdin. It's hard to imagine the Genie without Robin Williams' voice, because his manic energy, his rampant enthusiasm, and his unstoppable wit inject the movie with glorious light and wonder.

But what Robin Williams brought to Aladdin, and what he brought to almost all of the characters he gave life to, was an amazing sense of heart. The Genie's quieter moments of compassion for Aladdin are some of the finest scenes in the film. Watching the Genie as a kid, I felt like I was getting away with something. There was no way something this fun could be for kids, right? And that, more than anything, is what Robin Williams gave to me as a viewer--a sense that he was too good for me. How could it be legal to witness someone so unendingly funny and so deliriously smart?

With his incredible performances, Robin Williams could do and say anything, be anyone, and run the gamut of all emotions. Again, one need only turn to Aladdin to see Robin do some of his finest work. Watching the film, it feels like animation is where Robin truly felt the most free. Only on the stand-up stage did Robin ever match the maniacal genius energy he oozes throughout Aladdin. And yet, as impressive and all-encompassing as Robin's work in the film is, his performance is so intimate. Every wink to popular culture, every look to the "camera," every snappy aside that Robin delivers as the Genie feels like it's just for you. By catching it, you develop a sense of personal connection to Robin... like he's doing this just for you.

I'm sure this post is rambling, but trying to capture my emotions is proving more difficult than I expected. Robin Williams means so much to me as a performer, a comedian, and a man. Losing the light he brought to this world brings sadness to me and millions of others... knowing he extinguished that light himself is impossibly devastating. Though his contributions to the Disney pantheon are relegated to a handful of films, Robin Williams' major influence on Aladdin, Disney, film, voice acting, comedy, myself, and the world far exceed anything I could capture in writing. Robin Williams is pure, unrestrained magic caught on film for us to enjoy for boundless years to come. He is a shining treasure, a diamond in the rough, and we'll never have a friend like him again. You're free now, Genie.

111 Awesome Disney Songs, Part 3

Ryan Dosier - Hello again, Disney music lovers! Apologies for the week off, but I'm back again with 11 more Awesome Disney Songs! Here we go!

23.)   "It's a Small World" from Disneyland
You have to give props to a song that can get stuck in your head this easily. The chorus of this Sherman Brothers tune is perhaps the most catchy and ear-wormy ever written. Not only that, but the song is a beautiful message of hope for the entire world. "It's a Small World" reminds us that deep down, we're all living on this one small world together, so we must treat each other right. It's wonderful. Favorite Lyrics: "It's a world of laughter, a world of tears/It's a world of hope, and a world of fears/There's so much that we share/That it's time we're aware/It's a small world after all."

24.)   "Mine, Mine, Mine" from Pocahontas
One of the things that Disney does best in its animated films is villain songs, and this one from Pocahontas is fantastic. Not inherently evil on the surface, but mine through the lyrics and you realize how horribly awful Governor Ratcliffe really is. However, the song is bouncy and the lyrics are incredibly fun and David Ogden Stiers has a magnificent voice. Pocahontas is one of the weaker films in the Disney renaissance era, but the music is fantastic. Favorite Lyrics: "My rivals back home/It's not that I'm bitter/But think how they'll squirm/When they see how I glitter!/The ladies at court/Will be all a-twitter/The king will reward me/He'll knight me... no, lord me!"

25.)   "Little Wonders" from Meet the Robinsons
Meet the Robinsons is a beautiful and hugely underrated Disney animated feature. This song, "Little Wonders," was performed by Rob Thomas in the stirring final sequence of the film. The lyrics to "Little Wonders" are uplifting, haunting, and gorgeous. This is one of the finest examples of a song used in a non-musical Disney animated feature. It's a joy. Favorite Lyrics: "Let it slide/Let your troubles fall behind you/Let it shine/Until you feel it all around you/And I don't mind/If it's me you need to turn to/We'll get by/It's the heart that really matters in the end."

26.)   "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King
Probably my favorite song of my childhood, and one of the defining movie moments of my whole life, "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is a swinging, joyful, and hugely fun song. Watching the colors and completely warped art style during this sequence is riveting. The performances of Simba, Nala, and Zazu in this song are delightful. Adding Zazu in turns this anthem of youth into more of a fighting duet and it works so beautifully. Favorite Lyrics: "I think it's time that you and I/Arranged a heart to heart." "Kings don't need advice/From little hornbills for a start." "If this is where the monarchy is headed/Count me out!/Out of service, out of Africa/I wouldn't hang about!"


27.)   "A Whole New World" from Aladdin

The most beautiful Disney ballad ever written? Perhaps. Of course it comes from Alan Menken! Aladdin's defining moment is "A Whole New World," and it really should be. It's soaring, tumbling, freewheeling (sorry), and completely incredible. The music flies and twists and turns, the lyrics capture that magic of truly falling in love for the first time. It's breathtaking. Favorite Lyrics: "I can show you the world/Shining, shimmering, splendid/Tell me princess, now when did you/Last let your heart decide?/I can open your eyes/Take you wonder by wonder/Over, sideways, and under/On a magic carpet ride."

28.)   "Heaven's Light/Hellfire" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Yet another song from Hunchback! This is the fourth one in three installments. Blame iTunes shuffle... Anyway! This might just be my favorite song from the film. First the chillingly beautiful intro from Quasimodo, and then Frollo's terrifying "Hellfire" comes in and blows it away. Absolutely the scariest Disney villain song ever, "Hellfire" is vicious, evil, and hits close to home--much like Frollo himself. Tony Jay's vocals here are incredible as well. Favorite Lyrics: "I feel her, I see her/The sun caught in raven hair/Is blazing in me out of all control!"

29.)   "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!" from Peter Pan
Peter Pan is one of the Disney animated features that feels like it has more songs than it does, but there really aren't that many--at least not that many memorable ones. But this flying song comes at a pivotal point of the film, when Peter teaches the Darling children to fly. It starts of slow, and builds and builds until the children--and the song--are soaring. It's absolutely the highlight of the film for me. Favorite Lyrics: "Think of the happiest things/It's the same as having wings/Take the path that moonbeams make/If the moon is still awake/You'll see him wink his eye/You can fly, you can fly!/You can fly!"

30.)   "Cruella De Vil" from 101 Dalmatians
Another delightful villain song, albeit one not performed by the villain, but about her. Cruella De Vil is one of those unredeemable Disney villains, whose actions have no real redeeming value. Roger's song about her, then, is incredibly fitting, calling her out for the witch she is. But what a fun, catchy song! You can't help but love it. Favorite Lyrics: "This vampire bat/This inhuman beast/She oughta be locked up/And never released/The world was such a wholesome place until/Cruella, Cruella De Vil."

31.)   "Duck Tales Theme" from DuckTales
DuckTales was the original Disney Afternoon cartoon, and it remains one of the best. The theme song starts everything and provides a rollicking, wonderful fun time. As any good cartoon theme song does, it captures the idea that the show can take you on adventures and through fun worlds with great characters. Favorite Lyrics: "Life is like a hurricane here in Duckburg/Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes, it's a duck-blur!/Might solve a mystery/Or rewrite history!/DuckTales! Woo-oo!"

32.)   "Friends On the Other Side" from The Princess and the Frog
Boy, this week is jam-packed with villain songs. I love it! One of the more recent Disney musical classics is The Princess and the Frog, and Randy Newman's soundtrack is fantastic. My favorite of the bunch, is this song performed by Dr. Facilier (Keith David). The soaring, spiraling colors, the wonderful lyrics, the haunting tune... everything in this song is so good. Favorite Lyrics: "I got voodoo/I got who-do/I got things I ain't even tried/And I got friends on the other side."

33.)   "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas
What a wonderful song to end the list this week. Another Alan Menken Oscar-winner, "Colors of the Wind" is my favorite part of Pocahontas by far. The gorgeous lyrics and music are some of Menken's best, and when coupled with the astounding visuals of Pocahontas teaching John Smith, it becomes a masterpiece. Pocahontas as a whole may be fairly weak, but "Colors of the Wind" is amazing. Favorite Lyrics: "You think the only people who are people/Are the people who look and think like you/But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger/You'll learn things you never knew you never knew."

111 Awesome Disney Songs, Part 1

Ryan Dosier - Greetings, Disnerds! For a long time, I've been contemplating what sort of articles I'd like to write for The Mickey Mindset (other than my animated reviews). There's just so much content in the Disney universe that it was simply daunting for me to even think about picking something to write about, let alone actually writing it. But then I realized I was listening to my Disney playlist and realized that the music of Disney would be a perfect subject for an article series. This series is similar to one I had done last year on The Muppet Mindset with 120 Awesome Muppet Songs.

For Disney, I went through my iTunes collection (which admittedly doesn't have every Disney song) and chose all of my favorites. Oddly enough, as soon as I did that I was left with exactly 111 songs. It was too perfect not to just run with. The songs will be presented in completely random order--no favoritism here. So here we go with ten posts, each with 11 songs, showcasing the best of Disney music (in my opinion)!

1.)   "I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" from The Jungle Book
I couldn't be happier with the first song in the list! The Jungle Book is one of my favorite Disney animated features and this song is probably my favorite in the film. Written by the incomparable Sherman Brothers and performed by Louis Prima as King Louie, this jazzy number is spectacular. While the song is great to just listen to, watching it on the screen with the incredible animation of King Louie is even better. Favorite Lyrics: "Now I'm the king of the swingers, oh, the Jungle VIP/I reached the top, and had to stop, and that's what's botherin' me!"

2.)   "Mother Knows Best" from Tangled
If there's one thing Disney does best, it's villain songs. "Mother Knows Best" is one of those villain sings that is immensely catchy and clever but bears some truly frightening lyrics when you pay attention. The spectacular Donna Murphy provides the voice for Mother Gothel and she's incredible in this song. Music and lyrics come from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, so it's no wonder that the music is flitting and wonderful and the lyrics are dynamic and clever. It's a great, bouncy villain number that I love. Favorite Lyrics: "Mother's right here, mother will protect you/Darling, here's what I suggest/Skip the drama, stay with mama/Mother knows best."

3.)   "He's a Tramp" from Lady and the Tramp
Ah, Lady and the Tramp, one of the most wonderful Disney love stories. Nestled in the middle of the film is this saucy serenade from Peggy Lee voicing the character Peg. For only having one scene in the film, Peg remains one of the most memorable parts of this film simply because of this song. It's fun, it will get stuck in your head, and it's brilliantly performed. I love random songs like this in Disney features from one-off characters. It's a sign of a simpler time where any character could break into song. Favorite Lyrics: "He's a tramp, he's a scoundrel/He's a rounder, he's a cad/He's a tramp, but I love him/Yes, even I have got it pretty bad."

4.)   "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan
The songs in Mulan are few and far between, but this power ballad performed by Donny Osmond (of all people) is epic. It's one of my favorite Disney songs to sing along with because it's so fierce and tranquil at the same time (see what I did there?). The repetitiveness of the melody and the lyrics really reflect the repetitiveness of training. I love the drum beat in the background as well. It really, really feels like an army song. Favorite Lyrics: "Let's get down to business/To defeat the Huns/Did they send me daughters/When I asked for sons?"

5.)   "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" from Lilo & Stitch
I fell head over heels in love with Lilo & Stitch when I rewatched it last year, and the music is a huge reason why. The Hawaiian influence on the songs performed is incredible. "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" comes at a pivotal point in the film, where Nani takes Lilo surfing and Stitch experiences fun for the first time. The music of the song sounds magical, and accompanied with the lyrics mixed with English and Hawaiian is just beautiful. Listening to it instantly transports me to a beach somewhere and I love that. Favorite Lyrics: "Whirlpool swirling, cascading twirling/Hawaiian roller coaster ride."

6.)   "Forget About Love" from Aladdin and the Return of Jafar
This is one of the few songs from Disney's drove of direct-to-video sequels that I truly love. Who would have thought that Gilbert Gottfried could sing, let alone carry an entire song? Maybe it's the swirling and beauty-invoking music that makes this song so lovely, but the lyrics are delightful as well. In the song, Iago tries to push Jasmine back to Aladdin with a little reverse psychology--and it works. It's just a delightful little moment in the abyss of Disney sequels. Favorite Lyrics: "You're better on your own/A meal becomes a banquet when you eat alone!"

7.)   "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King
The greatest Disney love song ever? Maybe. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is at least in the running for the top spot. The song is accentuated brilliantly in the film by lush, colorful backgrounds and wonderful animation as we see Simba and Nala fall in love. The song transcended the film and made for a hit single for Elton John when the movie came out. This may be unpopular opinion, but I'm a sucker for Timon and Pumbaa's lines bookending the song, give me them over Elton any day. Favorite Lyrics: "Can you feel the love tonight?/The peace the evening brings/The world for once in perfect harmony/With all its living things."

8.)   "On My Way" from Brother Bear
Oh my gosh I love this song. Honestly, this song is my favorite part of Brother Bear. Phil Collins did outstanding work on the music for the film, and it stands out as the best part of the film for me. It's a perfect song for travel, for vacation, for moving... it's just wonderful. I think the song is actually more enjoyable outside of the film. It's just a good, good song to listen to. Favorite Lyrics: "Tell everybody I'm on way/New friends and new places to see/With blue skies ahead, yes I'm on my way/And there's nowhere else that I'd rather be."

9.)   "Down to Earth" from WALL-E
Peter Gabriel sings this song that plays during the beautiful end credits of WALL-E. The song has an electronic, synthesized sound that is perfect for the film. It starts slow, but builds to beautiful intensity as the lyrics remind us that we can fly. I could just watch the end credits of WALL-E with this song playing over it and still be moved. Both the song and the film are great reminders of why we need to take care of our planet. Favorite Lyrics: "Did you think you'd escaped from routine/By changing the script and the scene?/Despite all you made of it/You're always afraid of a change."

10.)   "The Ludwig Von Drake Song" from House of Mouse
This song is probably the most random choice in the entire list. It was performed by Ludwig Von Drake in one episode of the awesome Disney Channel series House of Mouse. In the song, Ludwig names off every Disney character present. It's bouncy and crazy and fun and I can't imagine how difficult it was rhyming some of the lyrics. It also features a cameo from the late, great Roy Disney! Favorite Lyrics: "Here's Lumiere the candlestick/And Cogsworth, he's the clock/There's Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Dopey, Doc!"

11.)   "Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
A perfect song to close out the list this week. This is perhaps my favorite Alan Menken ballad... and that's saying something. Quasimodo gives this song such heart and soul that it's so hard not to love. Every time I hear this song it makes me want to go out and take on the world and live my dreams, just as good songs--and most Menken songs--do. This is a true highlight of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and one of the most woefully under-appreciated Disney songs. Eat your heart out, "Let It Go." Favorite Lyrics: "Out there among the millers and the weavers and their wives/Through the roofs and gables I can see them/Everyday they shout and scold and go about their lives,/Heedless of the gift it is to be them!/If I was in their skin, I'd treasure every instant!"

Tune in next week for 11 more awesome Disney songs!

Disney Animation Reviews #31: Aladdin

Disney Movie Review: 31/52 - Aladdin

Ryan Dosier- My favorite Disney film, one of my favorite films ever, and the first film I ever saw is Aladdin (1992). I don’t know enough good words to talk about this hysterical, magical, perfect adventure. To me, Aladdin stands as a showcase of what animation can truly be when pushed to its limits. If Beauty and the Beast is the pinnacle of animation as an art form, Aladdin is the pinnacle of animation as an entertainment medium.

Aladdin takes off to wild and exotic places with Disney’s funniest and most enjoyable characters ever and some of its best music. The film is packed to the brim with a modernity that pushed Disney forward in so many ways. The style of humor, the look of the film, and the sound of the music all brought Disney into the 90s in such a glorious way.

Aladdin himself is an outstanding character. He is smart, kind, witty, and clever. It takes a character of that strength to not get run over by the Genie and the other eccentric members of the cast. Aladdin is one of the most heroic Disney protagonists. He proves himself worthy of rising from street rat to prince by the time the film ends. Aladdin’s greatest moment is when he wishes the Genie free. It is a moment that says so much about the character so simply. 

Then there’s the Genie… boy, where do you even start? As soon as he appears on screen, the Genie puts the movie in a chokehold of comedy that he never releases. What the team of Robin Williams and animator Eric Goldberg did with the Genie has never been replicated or topped. The amount of ad-lib and humor that is packed into a single scene with the Genie thanks to Williams—and then somehow flawlessly animated by Goldberg—is unbelievable. Never before has a character so effortlessly and often stolen scenes. When the Genie poofs onscreen he is the only thing that is important anymore. He demands this attention because he is so outrageously funny and outstandingly animated. 

The Genie doesn’t have a greatest scene, he has the greatest scenes. One cannot understate how brilliant Robin Williams is in Aladdin. There is no Genie without Williams, period. Williams is manic, bizarre, and just plain amazing. Robin Williams’ performance is the reason that celebrity voice casting is so popular, but no one has ever reached the amazing heights that he did as the Genie. No character says animation better than the Genie either, who can (and does) transform into anything, anyone, and everything in the blink of an eye. I can’t think of a better representation of the entertainment value and, dare I say, magic of animation than the Genie.

This ridiculous adoration of the Genie should not be taken as discounting the other amazing characters in Aladdin. Abu the monkey, Iago the parrot, the Magic Carpet, and Jafar are my favorite supporting characters in any Disney movie. The burden of comedy falls on Abu and Iago before the Genie arrives and they are wonderful. Jafar is one of the great Disney villains with his slippery, sly, wicked tactics. He also has the best evil laugh of any villain, so that’s gotta count for something.

The music, mostly provided again by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken with a few songs given lyrics by the great Tim Rice, is yet again some of the greatest Disney music. Both of the Genie’s songs, “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali” are awesomely fun. In fact, “Friend Like Me” may be the most fun Disney song period. However the most perfect song in the film is “A Whole New World.” The music and lyrics soar just like the magic carpet and succeeds for so many reasons. It is a beautiful, romantic, excellent piece of music. 

Story is also exceptional in Aladdin with a splendid mix of daring-do and comic nonsense. There are plenty of surprising moments, plenty of heartwarming moments, and tons of character developments that make the film stand out as one of the strongest written in Disney’s catalogue. The relationship between Aladdin and the Genie is the real heartbeat of the movie and their touching times are the film’s most emotionally satisfying.

As I see it, there is no good reason not to love Aladdin. It packs humor, heart, adventure, outstanding animation, beautiful songs, and magical everything else into one of the most fun times you can have watching an animated feature. Aladdin dazzles and amazes and it all looks completely effortless. Because of the talent, passion, and dedication of the filmmakers that created this, Aladdin stands strong and tall among the other true Disney masterpieces.

5/5 Magic Lamps

Retro Reviews: The Return of Jafar

Michael Wermuth- The Return of Jafar is the first sequel to Aladdin, the first of many direct-to-video animated sequels from Disney, and the second animated Disney sequel (after The Rescuers Down Under).

 The movie takes place sometime after the previous movie, though Aladdin and Jasmine are not yet married. The Genie comes back from traveling around the world. And Jafar is now a genie, only trapped inside the lamp and burried underground. Iago, who Jafar had forced into the lamp with him, gets out and decides not to let Jafar free. He decides to join Aladdin, though Aladdin is initially skeptical about it. The lamp gets into the hands of Abis Mal, a thief who hated Aladdin for beating him to gold he was going to steal. Jafar is limited to the rules of being a genie, which means he can't kill Aladdin, so after he tricks Abis Mal into wasting his first two wishes, he convinces him into wishing him free after the two plot to arrange for Aladdin to be killed.

 Robin Williams did not return to voice the Genie in this sequel (or the series), so Genie is voiced by Dan Castlenetta, best known as the voice of Homer Simpson on The Simpsons. And he does a fairly good job as the Genie (though he does sound like Homer at times). Most of the songs are forgettable, though I do like "Forget About Love", which Iago sings to Jasmine when she's mad at Aladdin. The songs aren't bad, but I can't remember them too well without watching the movie. Iago is great here, where he constantly switches from being a good guy to working with Jafar again to becoming a good guy again.

 The Return of Jafar is a fairly decent movie. For a direct-to-video sequel, it's not very bad (actually I don't think any of the direct-to-video sequels that I've seen are too bad, maybe it's best that I haven't seen the really horrible ones). Maybe it's not as good as Aladdin, but it is worth watching.

Disney and the Academy Awards

Mitchell Stein- Once again, it's time for Hollywood's Biggest night. The night where millionaires stand up on stage and present tiny golden statues to other millionaires, people analyze what some celebrity is wearing, and why their favorite movie didn't win the award for "Sound Mixing".

Today as we prepare for the 86th Academy Awards, we take a look back at Disney's most significant history at the Oscars and Disney's biggest and greatest wins, from the beginning up until today.

Even since his death in 1966, Walt Disney still holds the records for the person with the most Oscars won in a lifetime with 32 awards. Becuase it would take over a week to list every nominee, let's take a look at some of the Disney Company's biggest wins from the beginning.

The Three Little Pigs: This film won Walt his second Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, previously earning an award for Flowers and Trees the year earlier. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: While Walt's first animated 

film did not actually win an Oscar, Walt received an honorary Oscar from the Academy for his first full-length feature film. The Oscar include one, full sized Oscar figure along with seven smaller Oscars, in honor of the film. This award was on display at Disney's Hollywood Studios for a short time and is now on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum. 

Pinocchio: Pinocchio was Walt's first feature length film award, but not for best animated film, rather for Best Score and Best Original Song ("When You Wish Upon A Star"), as did Dumbo the year later. 

The beloved film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea won the significant awards of Best Art Director and Best Visual Effects, along with The Vanishing Prairie, which won an award for best Documentary Feature. The Vanishing Prairie was a part of the nature documentary features that Walt produced in the 50s and 60s. 

Then, in 1964, Mary Poppins flew in and swooped up five Academy Awards, including Best Actress (Julie Andrews) Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Original Song (Chim-Chim Cher-ee) and Best Special Effects! Mary Poppins remains a legendary film for the Disney Company until today, and more info about the film can be found in Saving Mr. Banks, available on Blu-Ray on March 18th

2014!

Another very important film in Disney history was of course, Who Framed Roger Rabbit which took in Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Visual Effects, which it clearly deserved. The movie was unlike anything else seen at the time, blending live-action with hand-drawn animation. The movie was released under Disney's Touchstone Pictures banner, but the award of course went to the Disney Company. 

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated feature to ever be nominated for the Best Picture category, but sadly did not take home the little golden statue in that category, but it did win Best Song and Best Original Score. Other winners in that category for that decade include The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, and Tarzan. 

Pixar then stepped into the picture and snagged a whole bunch of awards for their short films, Tin Toy, Geni's Game and For the Birds. Pixar won awards for Best Animated Feature throughout the years for their work on Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, and Toy Story 3. 

Finally, in 2011 The Muppets won their first Oscar for Best Original Song for "Man or Muppet". The Muppets have been nominated for various different categories since the 1966, but always got snagged, finally they got the honor they always deserved. 

Last year, Pixar's Brave took home the award for Best Animated Feature, other Disney nominees included Wreck-It Ralph and Frankenweenie. Disney's Paperman was awarded for Best Animated Short Film as well, which was well deserved once again. 

Now we reached the 86th Academy Awards hosted by Ellen Degeneres. Watch it all tonight to cheer on Frozen, Saving Mr. Banks, The Lone Ranger, Iron Man 3, and The Wind Rises for those awards. Go Disney!