When Aladdin landed on screens back in the early 90s, it signified the fact that Walt Disney Animation was once again on a hot streak. It is one that is still going strong today, and in fact, has grown exponentially. Aladdin also featured a stroke of casting genie genius with Robin Williams’ iconic turn as the fabled Arabian magician who help make Aladdin’s dreams comes true.
After the fall 2015 “Diamond Edition” Aladdin release, the folks at Disney Animation have gone back to that well and unveiled the Aladdin Signature Edition Blu-Ray, also timed to the release of the live action Aladdin on Blu-Ray.
The Oscar winner (for Best Original Song, A Whole New World, and Best Original Score) tells the timeless tale of the legendary Aladdin, as you’ve never seen it before. It is a definite must-own for any film fan, and especially for Disney Animation appreciators. If you do not have the “Diamond Edition” than there is no question that this “Signature Edition” should be added to your home video library.
So, what are the best part of the bonus features for this Blu-Ray release of Aladdin?
We must start with The Genie Outtakes. Williams’ is a master of improv, as everybody knows, and watching his Genie outtakes will produce laughs and something else, a forever reminder that the comic was one of our best and he’s dearly missed. But now, you have a piece of his iconic magic – forever.
While still talking the magic of Williams’ Genie, Genie 101 features a familiar host, Scott Weinger (the voice of Aladdin), taking viewers through the numerous transformations of the famous (and formerly famous) celebrity references of the Genie. It is a delight and a rare bonus feature that transcends the film itself.
I also found especially fascinating a look behind the making of the movie that also goes beyond Aladdin itself. Directors John Musker and Ron Clements have a long history at Disney and their work is examined in the enlightening and educational Ron & John: You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me. Great moniker for a bonus feature on the Aladdin Blu-Ray, don’t you think?!
For fans of the Easter eggs that always permeate Disney movies, you don’t want to miss Unboxing Aladdin as the Disney Channel’s Joey Bragg takes audiences through Aladdin and reveals those little moments you might have missed the first time around that will have all Disney fans aghast at their brilliance.
Showing us how the magic of Aladdin permeates pop culture beyond the film itself, the bonus feature Aladdin: Creating Broadway Magic finds former Glee star Darren Criss revealing how the legendary film became a blockbuster Broadway musical. Adding their two cents is composer Alan Menken and many others who were integral to bringing a Disney classic to the Great White Way.
Something added to this release that was not on the previous edition is a new sing-along version that, honestly, I’m kind of surprised wasn’t on the last incarnation. If there is a Disney animated classic that begs for a sing-along, it’s Aladdin.
Another fresh feature finds Weinger reflecting on his own personal journey with the film and how it changed his life and still influences it. Let’s Not Be Too Hasty: The Voices of Aladdin is a fantastic featurette that takes viewers inside the recording booth as we get a true behind-the-scenes look at how voice actors make their contribution to the movie magic. Also new is Alternative Endings, which looks at a few “what ifs” with several ideas filmmakers had about how to close out the Aladdin adventure.
Movie Itself: A+
Bonus Features: A