Thoughts on This Film

I watched Aladdin, which I'd been meaning to see for years. In a way I wish I'd seen it while Robin Williams was alive, because it's kind of sad knowing what happened to him, but it was good. At the beginning was a disclaimer that certain parts may offend certain people regarding Middle Eastern cultures and I shouldn't wonder. I found the movie very lively and entertaining. It takes place more in a fantasy land based on the Middle East than in any real Middle Eastern culture. For instance, Princess Jasmine has a lot more freedom and Aladdin has more access to her than would be expected. There are a whole lot of cultural references and imitations by the genie of famous figures from Western culture but one I think went uncredited. At one point an evil sorcerer fires Aladdin off in a tower like a rocket ship. It lands on a hillside and starts rolling towards him once he is out of it. At one point it looks as if he will be crushed, but it turns out the part that rolled over him contained an open window so he escapes. This is a direct steal from Buster Keaton, who did this in several films, most notably in Steamboat Bill Jr. where a whole house front fell on him. This particular shot has been imitated countless times. Something similar also appeared in the premiere movie of Emergency!, where it looked like Nurse Dixie was crushed by a car only the broken windshield saved her. Just sayin' this was done often before Aladdin. I would recommend this movie for pretty much all ages.