DISNEY FANS have been given another glimpse of the new live-action Aladdin movie – and it’s continuing to divide moviegoers online.
Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the 1992 animated favourite sees Will Smith replace the late Robin Williams as the film’s wish-granting genie with Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine.
Due to arrive later this month, the initial reaction to the project has been decidedly mixed among fans, with Smith’s take on the genie, in particular, coming in for flack.
Taking on a role made famous by Williams was always going to be a tough task and that’s certainly proven the case in all of the footage offered up from the film thus far.
And while the proof will ultimately be in the pudding, a sneak peek at Ritchie and Smith’s take on one of the film’s most iconic musical numbers has done little to assuage the doubters.
It sees Smith’s genie introduce the newly-minted Prince Ali to Princess Jasmine.
Watch Will Smith perform "Prince Ali" in this new clip from #Aladdin! pic.twitter.com/T24OzFl3bf
— IGN (@IGN) May 14, 2019
And while the animated version proved a suitably lively affair and arguably the most memorable musical number from the animated classic, this effort hasn’t been quite so well received online.
One fan was left feeling a little sad after watching Smith's efforts on screen...
Another just felt the new version didn't really work...
I like Will Smith, and have fond childhood memories of Aladdin, but this just doesn't work. https://t.co/osBrcjc1lQ
— Sister Outrider is editing (@ClaireShrugged) May 14, 2019
Then there were those fans who ended up a little...well...bored.
how could they make prince ali so BORING :(
it’s one of the best musical numbers in any disney movie https://t.co/jOXgb0ETBX— hazel 🏳️⚧️🎀 (@tomatobazel) May 14, 2019
A few even questioned Smith's dodgy vocals...
Why...why is the new version of Prince Ali so slow. What is with Jasmine's friend. Have they awkwardly auto-tuned Will Smith?
I have so many questions, and all of them will be answered when I drag a friend with me to see Aladdin. https://t.co/QtWwz9KkCw— Ben M-J (@V_Ben) May 14, 2019
And the special effects came in for a roasting too...
Some fans were nevertheless excited...
Make wayyyyy for Prince Ali! https://t.co/YGktwWzEKO
— Lia Ganni (@agannyi) May 14, 2019
In a few cases, they were positively giddy about it...
OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!
I LOVE THIS MOVIEEEEEEEEEE— Luis Nareba (@canaldonareba) May 14, 2019
Others just felt, well, it didn't look that bad.
I don’t know why people are complaining so much. This doesn’t look THAT bad and it could be a lot worse. What people forget is these remakes aren’t supposed to mirror their predecessor to a tee, but rather build off the foundation set by the original to make something new.
— Stacy Friesen (@stacydtwit) May 14, 2019
Aladdin will hit cinemas on May 24th, 2019.
