The new movie from Guy Ritchie is the latest in Disney’s line of live-action releases, coming just two months after Dumbo and slightly ahead of The Lion King.
While full reviews for the movie won’t be published until next week, the first reactions are, mostly, encouraging.
A showing in London last night for critics and a select few fans prompted largely positive responses.
One person said: “Okay but I seen the advanced screening of #Aladdin and IT WAS SOOOO GOOD. They really pulled off this movie. It had me in all the feels.”
Another wrote: “I was nervous. How can you follow Robin Williams? But I’m not gonna lie…. I loved it! #Aladdin.”
Said a third: “Yes, Guy Ritchie doesn’t have a particularly good grasp on musical sequences, but otherwise I found #Aladdin to be quite, funny, rather sweet and charmingly earnest.”
One journalist reacted: “#Aladdin is funny. As in I genuinely laughed at points. Kids will love a few really awk moments. Some adults too.”
Someone else hailed the leading man, saying: “@MenaMassoud is a real diamond in the rough – everyone’s favourite rags to riches prince come to life in the kaleidoscopic world of Agrabah #Aladdin.”
Another reaction reads: “Surprise, #Aladdin is fairly good. Mainly because it nails the characters.
“Massoud/Scott’s chemistry is top, Smith’s cocky/emotional sides make Genie mostly fresh. Those three (and high-energy songs) help pull up the story, which is usual Disney remake approach (expand and “fix”).”
Thanking director Ritchie, one viewer posted: “I smiled from start to finish during #Aladdin. @MenaMassoud is SO talented. @NaomiScott is a breathtaking fit for Princess Jasmine & Will Smith is comedy perfection.
“As a brown girl with a lack of mainstream rep growing up, THANK YOU for this nostalgia @realguyritchie.”
And summing up the general mood, one viewer tweeted: “I had the lowest of expectations going into #Aladdin but you know what? I actually quite liked it! It’s not perfect by any means but I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Aladdin struggled to win over fans with its early trailers and preview footage, but it seems word-of-mouth could be its saving grace.
It is expected to gross between $70-90 million in the US in its opening weekend.
Aladdin is out on May 22 in the UK and May 24 in the US.