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Recognize these famous lyrics from the 31st animated classic Disney feature, sung by one of the most nefarious villains of all time, Jafar? You don't? Well, not to fear; you are safe from the ravages of Alzheimer's for the time being. These lyrics are taken from the song, "Humiliate The Boy" which was removed from the finished feature Aladdin because it was felt to be too cruel for the mood of the film. Now, however, you can experience this song in its entirety as a special feature inclusion on the new DVD release, Aladdin: Platinum Edition! For us villains fans, this is a special treat indeed, but there are enough extra inclusions on these two discs to satisfy just about every Disney-holic, whether you like the good guys or the bad (we all know the bad guys and gals are way more fun though, don't we?)!
Aladdin, of course, created a ruckus in Hollywood the size of a red giant star through a feud between Disney and the voice of Aladdin's Genie, Robin Williams, through some dispute over the fact that the image of Genie could not be more than 25% of any printed ad materials. To this I say that Williams should be happy that this is the one role he is tolerable in, and that is due only to the fact that he doesn't have to be seen while he horrendously overacts, as in the majority of his film work. But more than being a point of contention between an overrated actor and the studio that paid him far too much for his work, Aladdin was a delight to audiences everywhere.
The tale, we all know, is of Aladdin (a simple street urchin) who finds himself enamored with the Princess Jasmine. He must turn to the aid of a magic genie to help him win her hand in marriage while avoiding the nefarious plans of the Sultan's evil advisor, Jafar. Starting things off, we have of course the feature film; but as is the way with these platinum, special, limited, super, mega-awesome editions that are being thrown about nowadays, we get a cleaned up and polished version of the film that will put those old, ratty, VHS copies in the lame, big white cases to shame! The film has been completely restored and remastered digitally and the audio has received the same treatment with an all-new "Disney enhanced" 5.1 home theater mix. This reworking of the formula gets all five of your surround channels working at about the same levels, putting you directly in the center of a truly awesome sounding experience. The film has never looked or sounded better and if for no other reason, you should pick this one up now!
Of course, songs aren't the only parts that are cut out of feature films, as often whole scenes go with them to the cutting room floor. Two cut scenes are included on the first disc, along with the feature, which are an alternate meeting of Aladdin and Princess Jasmin and a look at the pampered life of Aladdin as Prince Ali! Since both were hinged more on the original scripting which featured Aladdin's family prominently, these scenes had to go, but you will enjoy seeing a different direction that this film could have taken. Speaking of new directions for this film to take...well, it could have sucked a whole lot more if it had included a duet of "A Whole New World" with sickening MTV rejects Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey! I know this because this duet is included here in an assortment of music videos added to the disc as bonuses. I must say that despite being a complete and utter idiot in every sense of the word and connotation to be derived, Jessica Simpson is about as fun to watch singing as a monkey picking dried up grass from its butt hairs. But I suppose it is only fair to also mention that Nick Lachey actually has a great voice, a fair amount of talent and does his best to completely ignore the theatrics of his moron spouse during this video.
While the video is dated, the vocals on this song still bring tears to the eyes of 30 to 40 somethings everywhere. This is how singing is done, plain and simple, and it is a great reminder of just how far away from talent we have drifted when it is put on a disc next to some, ahem, less qualified opponents. With the exception of Peabo's tune, these videos come with short "Making Of" Featurettes which go into the process behind the finished product.
There are five of the films songs which have been selected for your singing-along pleasures. You can either select these one by one and sing along with the action on screen, or you can have the lyrics displayed for you while you watch the feature film and sing along with each tune as it fits into the film. Either way, you and your little ones will enjoy this feature because these are some of the most fun and entertaining songs to come out of a Disney film; but if singing is not your thing and you make a better listener, then there are plenty of commentary options for you to explore!
If for some reason neither listening nor singing is your thing, and you find yourself partial to reading instead, I would suggest you select the "Pop Up Fun Facts" feature. Everything you ever wanted to know about the production of the film, the evolution of its characters, story changes and plotline points is all spelled out for you on screen while you watch. Leaving behind the highly annoying VH1's Pop Up Video style, little thought bubbles and sound effects; these tidbits of information simply show up as easy to read text with pacing slow enough for the younger audience (or for all those people that I saw get up and walk out of a showing of Brotherhood Of The Wolf because it was subtitled...oh no! no one said anything about having to READ!).
There are several games and activities to keep you busy when you are not watching the special features or just to bring you back into the world of Aladdin for a few moments. There is Aladdin's Magic Carpet Adventure and a 3-D tour Inside The Genies Lamp. You can have your fortune revealed to you in the 3 Wishes Game and take The Genie World Tour around the world! Most of these games are geared, of course, to a young audience, but there are some funny and fun moments which will appeal to an older crowd as well...just like the film!
The rest of the second disc is mainly the filler stuff like publicity materials and artwork galleries, but there is one other shining star here. "Alan Menken: Musical Renaissance Man" is a wonderful look into one man's contributions of countless songs for Disney films. Menken has put his signature onto films like Home On The Range, Hercules, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Hunchback Of Notre Dame, and even the video game Kingdom Hearts! This twenty minute look into his talents is a collection of praise from those he has worked with as well as some conversations with the man himself. A true talent like Menken is not come across often, and this is a fitting tribute attached to one of his best works!
Honestly, this is one of the best Disney releases I have seen...ever. The sheer quality of the film and the sheer volume of extras makes this one for your collection. I can't think of a single person that I have ever heard say they did not enjoy Aladdin, and that is perhaps its greatest testament. A close second would be the bragging rights that come with a release that is this good. If you are a fan of this film then you are already on your way to buy this disc. If you are not, and you go buy this disc, I guarantee that you will emerge a fan of this film...it's that simple.
A great disc set, a great film and a great time.
-aaron-
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There
are Disney movies and then there are DISNEY MOVIES and this is most
definitely a case of the later. It is all here, good story,
great characters, humorous dialog, excellent pacing, fantastic songs
(definitely one of the best collections of tunes ever written
for a single film...up there with Jungle Book), and of course,
a great villain! Audiences couldn't get enough of this stuff
as is evidenced partly by the fact that there have been two sequels
and an animated television series, but more so by the SIMPLY AMAZING
"Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular" which has been running
at Disney's California Adventure Theme Park in Anaheim, California
since January 2003 and still packs the house routinely (with me in
the audience guaranteed if I am in town!). Wherever you look,
you will find that we want more Aladdin and we want it now!
Of urgent need...a DVD release worthy of this fine film. Disney,
I am pleased to report, has listened and listened well and is now
offering the Aladdin: Platinum Special 2-Disc Edition DVD Collection
for your home video library. If you think that title has a lot
packed into it, you should really get a load of these discs!
Just as the other three films already released under the Platinum
Edition series (Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Beauty
And The Beast, and The Lion King), this presentation is
packed with bonus features and updated media.
But
there are so many other reasons! Just check out the array of
deleted songs: Proud Of Your Boy, You Can Count On Me, Why Me, and
the aforementioned Humiliate The Boy. The first two are cut
from Aladdin's repertoire and would have both made great additions
to the story as it originally stood (less princess, more Aladdin's
family). The second two however were written and performed by
Jafar, the villain of the picture and quite frankly aren't missed
by not making the final cut. Both bring Jafar down a peg or
two from being the imposing and powerful wizard into a conniving,
lowly cad. The chance to see some of these songs that don't
make the grade makes one appreciate the songs that do all the more.
Of
slightly more artistic merit is the video featuring American Idol
runner-up Clay Aiken performing the unreleased and never heard tune
of "Proud Of Your Boy". The song gets better as it
goes on, but I think that it is simply your ears adjusting to the
sounds of Aiken like they would to changing pressure due to altitude
increase. The song itself is quite good and I wish it could
have made it into the final film (again it could not due to story
changes), but Clay Aiken is much more suited to be singing in the
theatrical version of Aladdin with enough overpowering vocal
talent to fill an auditorium. This boy can belt it out, that
is for sure, but for a much more quality version of a featured song
turn to Peabo Bryson and Reginna Belle in their original 1992 cover
of "A Whole New World".
Two
commentaries are included: one featuring the team of producers and
the other featuring a team of animation supervisors! I actually
enjoyed these commentaries much more than I would have had they been
full of cast members. In my opinion, the correct way to run
a commentary with cast is the way it was handled in Brother Bear...keeping
the cast in character for entertainment value! The basic truth
is that the talent behind an animated feature is NOT the actors and
actresses who say things on cue; it is actually the animators who
have to put the film together in the first place. I learned
a whole bunch of great stuff through these commentaries and you will
too I'm sure.
Toss
in a few sneak peeks at upcoming and current releases from the Disney
catalog and you have just now completed the FIRST of the two discs!
I told you there was lots and lots of stuff included in this set!
Let's get into the second disc and see what else is in store.
Leonard Maltin shows up (as he has a habit of doing since the Disney
Treasures appearances) to talk to us a bit about our options of viewing
"A Diamond In The Rough: The Making Of Aladdin". That's
right...there is so much information included in this making of that
you have the option of not having to take it all in at once!
Seriously folks, there is a whole lot of really great inclusions here.
You will be treated to everything from storyboards to live-action
movement tests to panel discussions to Gilbert Gottfried acting a
fool in interviews. If there is anything that you ever wanted
to know about what goes into an animated feature film, you will learn
it here. There is an entire evening's (if not more than one)
entertainment value here, to be watched with family or friends in
between sing-along songs.