When tasked with answering the question of picking a favorite film from the Walt Disney Animation Studios “Renaissance Era”, which ran from ‘The Little Mermaid’ in 1989 to ‘Tarzan’ in 1999, there is no clear winner.  With a wide range of films appealing to a variety of audiences, there is no definite one that seems to easily rank above the rest.  It was thanks to this era that Disney animation came out of near bankruptcy and these films continue to thrive over the last 30 years.  

There are so many, what would be considered “Disney classics” that have come from this era of films from the studio.  During this time, films like ‘Mulan’, ‘The Lion King’, and Best Picture nominated ‘Beauty and the Beast’ that it is hard to deny the power of the studio during this decade.  Their stories are so beloved for their reliability while being accompanied by songs that get stuck in your head for the rest of your life.  Everything about these films feel timeless – impacting so many generations since their inception.  So, what makes ‘Aladdin’ stand out to me as my favorite from this era?

After being forced to enter the Cave of Wonders by the grand vizier, Jafar, Aladdin stumbles upon a lamp that holds a great power – a Genie.  With three wishes at his disposal, Aladdin concocts a plan to use this newfound magic to help impress Princess Jasmine, who only knows him as a lowly street rat.

I think what stands out to me about ‘Aladdin’ as a film is its messaging about how anyone can be “the chosen one.” When we meet Aladdin, he is escaping from guards after stealing a loaf of bread, who he later gives to starving children.  Even though he needs the bread to survive, while not getting it in the best of ways, he recognizes that someone else needs it more than him.  We also see his compassionate side when he helps Princess Jasmine, disguised as a commoner, from getting her hand chopped off for stealing from a vendor.  Even though his motivation behind this action may have been to help the pretty lady, I still believe he would have helped anyone in that situation.  This makes him, as the Cave of Wonders puts it, the “diamond in the rough”, being the only one allowed to enter.  It shows the viewers that you do not need to have the nicest things or the biggest house to be considered a “diamond”; what matters is caring for others who need your help.  That is what makes you shine above the rest, which is an important message for an audience member at any age.  Who knows, you may be rewarded with entrance to a magical cave of treasures.

The second half of the film really focuses on the importance of being yourself, another meaningful message for any viewer.  With the help of Genie, Aladdin pretends to be a prince because he thinks that is what is going to win the heart of Princess Jasmine.  But her reaction to meeting him, for what she assumes is the first time, does not go well for him.  Aladdin assumed that Jasmine would feel the same way about him when they first met on the street, but that is not the case.  Genie then continuously tries to convince Aladdin to just tell her the truth about who he really is because it is that version of himself that Jasmine wants for a partner.  It takes Jafar exposing him as a fake for Aladdin to finally realize maybe Genie was right all along.  It turns out being his regular persona of “street rat” is what eventually saves them but also convinces Jasmine’s father, the Sultan of Agrabah, to change the law so Jasmine can marry whoever she chooses.  Prince Ali did not get that law changed – Aladdin did.  You are the best version of yourself, and you do not need to disguise yourself as someone else just to impress another person.  If they do not like you for who you are and if you are not honest with them about who you are, nothing will work out in the end.  Listen to Genie and be proud of yourself.

What makes this movie stand out about some of the other Renaissance era films is how fun the voice acting is.  One of the most beloved characters in all of Walt Disney Animation is Genie voiced by Robin Williams.  It is no surprise that it seems like this role was made for Williams because it actually was.  The studio wanted Williams for the part so badly that to convince him to join the cast, the animators turned one of his standup routines into the Genie performing it.  That, along with wanting to leave something behind for his children to enjoy, got him to sign on to the project.  And you can tell that he put his whole heart and soul into the performance.  Genie is goofy and energetic while having compassion for Aladdin and a desire to be free.  There is so much emotional range that Williams gives to Genie that some celebrity voice actors need to take notes from.  Williams did not just show up for a day to the recording booth and collect a paycheck – he actually did not want his name all over the marketing for the film – he wanted to make this character mean something to people.  I do not think anyone could have played Genie like Williams did and this film would not have stood the test of time without him.

Scott Weigner, best known for his role as DJ’s boyfriend Steve on ‘Full House’, voices the titular Aladdin and I think he brings just as much fun and charismatic energy to the role like Williams does.  They play off of each other so well you can tell that they were made to voice these characters.  Their heart-to-hearts are impactful while still having the magical charm to their friendship that builds throughout the film.  They learn to love and care for each other that leads to the big moment of setting Genie free.  Every time that scene comes up, my heart swells with joy and it is thanks to Weigner and Williams.  Linda Larkin brings a perfect amount of sass and independence to the character of Princess Jasmine that makes her one of the best princesses.  She just wants to live her own life and be free to make her own choices.  This is a feeling a lot of young girls may be feeling and can make those connections with Larkin’s performance.  You do not have to be scared to stand up for yourself and Larkin gives us that.  Her and Weigner also have amazing chemistry that you can feel it radiating through the screen.  But you cannot forget about the perfectly creepy and jarring performance of Jafar given to us by Jonathan Freeman.  Every Jafar scene makes my skin crawl which is the sign of a perfect Disney villain.  Gilbert Gottfried rounds out the cast as the comedic sidekick to Jafar as his parrot Iago.  While he may not be my favorite sidekick Disney has created, Gottfried still makes his presence known in the best way, dialing down some of the creepiness that his scene partner gives.  People talk about how perfect Williams is as Genie, but I think that everyone is bringing their all and the film would not have been the same without any of them.

You cannot talk about a Disney Renaissance era film without mentioning the songs.  The musical duo of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken were approached by Disney Animation to create songs for ‘The Little Mermaid’ and they continued to work together until the time of Ashman’s passing in 1991.  Ashman, the lyricist, still pitched the idea of ‘Aladdin’ while finishing work on ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ alongside Menken, who wrote the score.  Tim Rice, who would later go on to write songs for ‘The Lion King’, stepped in to help finish the songs with Menken and all three were able to deliver an amazing and fun-filled soundtrack.  Ashman and Menken perfected the Disney song formula that works time and time again throughout this era.  We are introduced to our setting (“Arabian Nights”) and our main character with their desires (“One Jump Ahead”) who falls in love (“A Whole New World”) along the way.  My favorites are “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali”, both of which are performed by Williams.  I have always been a fan of songs that I can easily dance to, and both are certified bops.  They are fun and lively, and I think perfectly describes not just the Genie as a character but the journey that him and Aladdin go through during the film.  The award-winning song from the soundtrack is “A Whole New World” and I completely agree.  This is not just a typical love song – it brings you on an adventure of these characters who finally feel free when they are together.  Even though they come from completely different lives, their desires for freedom are shared between them.  They want to live a whole new life but with each other.  Also, it made you want your own flying carpet which is pretty magical.

I still cannot believe that ‘Aladdin’ is turning 31 today.  This movie makes me feel like such a kid again and looking back at it from an adult perspective, it does not just classify as a “children’s movie.”  There is so much love that went behind this film and you can see that from the performances to the messaging to the songs.  Everything still continues to thrive after all these years, and I cannot wait to sit on the living room carpet with my future children watching Genie be set free to love his own adventure just like Aladdin and Jasmine.