by Laura W
The world has lost its Genie. With the sudden, and very shocking passing, of Robin Williams, many have lost the talent that was behind one of the world’s greatest animated characters. Aladdin was my first introduction to the talent of Robin Williams. It was his rapid impressions during the Genie’s introduction that captured my attention. Shortly after, my parents rented Hook and I was a fan from there.
The world has lost its Genie. With the sudden, and very shocking passing, of Robin Williams, many have lost the talent that was behind one of the world’s greatest animated characters. Aladdin was my first introduction to the talent of Robin Williams. It was his rapid impressions during the Genie’s introduction that captured my attention. Shortly after, my parents rented Hook and I was a fan from there.
Aladdin is a retelling of the Arab folktale of Aladdin and the magic lamp, from the book One Thousand and One Nights. Aladdin, a “street rat”, is doing everything he can to survive. One particular day, he meets a disguised Princess Jasmine, and they form a friendship. Aladdin, with the help of his monkey, Abu, as well Genie and Carpet, convinces Jasmine that he is actually a prince. However, the sultan’s Vizier, Jafar, will do anything to ensure that he himself will become sultan. Everything goes well, until Aladdin’s deception is revealed and Jafar takes control by becoming Genie’s master. However, in typical Disney fashion, good triumphs evil and Jafar is defeated, Genie is freed from granting wishes, and everyone lives happily ever after. The vocal talents include Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Robin Williams and Jonathan Freeman and Gilbert Gottfried, with Lea Salonga and Brad Kane acting as the two leads singing voices.
Aladdin was one of the best films to come out of Disney’s Renaissance Period during 1992. It is still loved to this day, by both children and adults alike. Many of the parents today are those who were children when Aladdin was originally released. Numerous children wished (no pun intended) to be swept away on a magic carpet ride, or have their own genie grant them three wishes.
Aladdin was one of the best films to come out of Disney’s Renaissance Period during 1992. It is still loved to this day, by both children and adults alike. Many of the parents today are those who were children when Aladdin was originally released. Numerous children wished (no pun intended) to be swept away on a magic carpet ride, or have their own genie grant them three wishes.
While the film was brilliant, with its story, animation and songs, it was Robin that stole the show and truly brought the film to life. Robin, unsurprisingly, improvised a majority of Genie’s lines. So much of Robin seemed to go into Genie. From the impressions to lines, he ended up giving the filmmakers over 16 hours of material to work with. Many were surprised to find out that Robin also provided the voice of the peddler at the beginning of the film as well. John Candy, Martin Short, Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy were all considered, at one point or another, to voice Genie, but Robin brought that magic. Nobody suited the role better.
Aladdin meant a great deal to me, as it’s the first film I clearly remember watching in its entirety, with my father. I remember going to see Fantasia, but it is Aladdin that remains the clearest. It was one of the last films I also watched with my father before he died. I cherish that, mainly thanks to Robin, because he was the one that made my father laugh the hardest. The loss of Robin has left quite a mark on the world, both in entertainment and otherwise. Many people my age were introduced to Robin through Aladdin and Hook, and grew up with the films that were released after, such as Jack and Patch Adams.
The world seems a little darker without it's Genie.
Aladdin meant a great deal to me, as it’s the first film I clearly remember watching in its entirety, with my father. I remember going to see Fantasia, but it is Aladdin that remains the clearest. It was one of the last films I also watched with my father before he died. I cherish that, mainly thanks to Robin, because he was the one that made my father laugh the hardest. The loss of Robin has left quite a mark on the world, both in entertainment and otherwise. Many people my age were introduced to Robin through Aladdin and Hook, and grew up with the films that were released after, such as Jack and Patch Adams.
The world seems a little darker without it's Genie.
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