I Can Show You the World: Aladdin (1992)

It is time for our annual animated film pick! This year I am going with:

Romantic Moment #8

Aladdin (1992) 

I love Aladdin. In fact, the first Disney film I ever saw was Aladdin. I was just a baby but my mom took me when the whole family went to see it. I used to watch the first and third one all the time. I love all the songs in this film and committed them all to memory at an early age.

Aladdin is a retelling of a chinese tale in Arabian Nights or A Thousand and One Nights, tales that Scheherazade told her husband to keep herself alive each night, (for more on that go here). Disney disneyfied it into being much happier and brighter, like they do with everything.

In the Disney story, Aladdin is an orphaned boy living with his monkey friend, Abu. The two are street rats, scrounging about for food and hiding from the castle guards. Every night Aladdin goes home and dreams of being rich and living in the palace, never having to worry about anything.

Meanwhile, Princess Jasmine is in the palace and has to marry by her sixteenth birthday. She hates every prince that has called on her and she feels they all are after her fortune.

Also in the palace lurks Jafar, the evil vizier, who wants to take the throne for himself. Along with grabbing the throne he is trying to get inside the fabled Cave of Wonders to get a lamp, but only a pure-hearted, diamond in the rough can enter.

These three stories intersect when Jasmine sneaks out of the palace, only to be helped by Aladdin when she gets into trouble. The two run from guards but are caught, with Jasmine revealing herself and going home, while Aladdin is sent to the dungeon. Jafar disguises himself and frees Aladdin- convinced he is the perfect person to enter the cave. Aladdin is and does, but Abu brings the whole place toppling down when he tries to take something he is not supposed to touch. Aladdin gets stuck inside the Cave, but there he finds the genie of the lamp

And the adventure to capture the heart of the princess is on.

Most Romantic Moment: I Can Show You the World

So I’m sure you all know what moment I’m choosing from Aladdin; when Aladdin takes Jasmine on the magic carpet ride through the world. Of course this is super romantic, a flight around the world-but there is a reason why it is extra romantic.

So earlier in the film, Aladdin saves Jasmine and takes her back to his place when they run from the guards. There they talk and learn about each other, with Jasmine sharing her dreams and how she feels.

Aladdin: Wow. The palace looks pretty amazing, huh?

Princess Jasmine: [glumly] Oh… It’s wonderful.

Aladdin: I wonder what it’d be like to live there, and have servants, and valets.

Princess Jasmine: Oh, sure. People who tell you where to go and how to dress.

Aladdin: That’s better than here. You’re always scraping for food and ducking the guards.

Princess Jasmine: You’re not free to make your own choices.

Aladdin: Sometimes you feel so…

Princess Jasmine: You’re just…

Aladdin, Princess Jasmine: …trapped.

Of course at the time he didn’t realize that she was the princess, he thought she was just sharing her opinion. But later when he is trying to make up for being a jerk and try and win her heart, he remembers what she said and gives her what she has wanted. The ability to leave and explore and be out of the palace. Freedom to go wherever, out of the palace walls, with her choosing where to go and what they should do.

Aw!

To start Romance is in the Air: Part V, go to Who Says I Have to Stop: Fireproof (2008)

For the previous post, go to I Will Wait for You: This Episode Sucks, Psych (2011)

For more on Aladdin, go to A Little Monkey Business: Chinese New Year

For more on Princess Jasmine, go to Waiter, There’s Some Disney in My Jane Austen

For more Disney love songs, go to Once Upon a Dream

For more Disney films, go to You Can Be Yourself With Me: George of the Jungle (1997) 

Diamond in the Rough

Day 15) The first Disney film you ever saw

The first Disney film I ever saw was Aladdin. I was just a baby but my mom took me when the whole family went to see it. It is one of my fav films too as I just love Aladdin. I used to watch the first and third one all the time, I remember that when I was in that little kid phase were you don’t want to take a bath, the only way my mom could get me in the tub willingly would be to promise me that I’d be able to watch Aladdin when I was done. I love all the songs in this film and committed them all to memory at an early age.

Aladdin is a retelling of a chinese tale in Arabian Nights or A Thousand and One Nights, tales that Scheherazade told her husband to keep herself alive each night, (for more on that go here). Disney disneyfied it into being much happier and brighter, like they do with everything.

In the disney story, Aladdin is an orphaned boy living with his monkey friend, Abu. The two are street rats, scrounging about for food and hiding from the castle guards. Every night Aladdin goes home and dreams of being rich and living in the palace, never worrying about anything. Meanwhile, Princess Jasmine is in the palace and has to marry by her sixteenth birthday. She hates every prince that has called on her and she feels they all are after her fortune. Also in the palace lurks Jafar, the evil vizier, who wants to take the throne for himself. He also is trying to get inside the fabled Cave of Wonders to get a lamp, but only a pure-hearted, diamond in the rough can enter. These three stories intersect when Jasmine sneaks out of the palace, only to be helped by Aladdin when she gets into trouble. The two run from guards and are caught, Jasmine revealing herself and going home, while Aladdin is sent to the dungeon. Jafar disguises himself and frees Aladdin convinced he is the perfect person to enter the cave. Aladdin is and does, but Abu brings the whiole place toppling down when he tries to take something he is not supposed to touch. Aladdin gets stuck inside the Cave, but there he finds the genie of the lamp and the adventure to capture te heart of the princess is on.

1) Aladdin

Aladdin is amazing and totally the guy you want around. He may be a thief, but only steals food to survive rather than objects. He even gives his food away to the less fortunate.

Besides, he couldn’t even think of what to wish for once he got out of the cave, he didn’t even wish for Jasmine to love him or try to control her like Jafar does, all he wished for was the opportunity to have a chance with her.

2) Jasmine

Jasmine is pretty cool too. She is a strong, independent woman who is ready to command and rule her kingdom when the time comes. She is adventurous and wants to go out and see what out there in life. Similar to Prince Phillip she doesn’t care about class, but who a person is.

Plus she won’t let anyone treat her like a trophy wife, she’s got substance!

3) Genie

So I have to say that I think this is one of Robin Williams best roles (Along with Hook, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji and Night at the Museum) He is hilarious! They actually had to stop everything and just let him go, doing the animation as  would just go all over the place. The best thing is he gives the best advice any man should heed.

4) The Sultan

He’s funny and sweet and we all love how excited he gets when “Prince Ali” hits town. 🙂 And even though he is trying to have his daughter get married, it’s not him as much as the law. But like any dad who loves his daughter, he decides her needs are more important. And he wants the absolute best for her, whether it is a prince or a pauper.

5) The Songs

Arabian Nights

This is a great opener as it really sets the background, getting you excited and pumped for the film. 🙂

One Jump

We learn the plights of Aladdin to a great tune that also has some great character sides. I love it!

Friend Like Me

One of the best songs in the entire film.

Prince Ali

Awesome song! Love “Prince Ali” and all the things he has and how he presents himself.

A Whole New World

One of the best romantic songs as he takes her on a trip around the world and on a flying carpet! FLYING CARPET!!! That’s it he wins.

And this little extra

For more on Aladdin, go to Snakes on a Post

For more on my favorite songs, go to There’s No One Like Gaston

For more on Disney, go to Pink Elephants

For more on Disney Princes, go to Prince of a Man

For more on Disney Princesses, go to The Right Path is Not the Easiest One

For more on strong, independent, women; go to Disney Lesson