Aladin (2009)

Today we have 2009’s Aladin directed by Sujoy Ghosh, starring Amitabh Bachchan as Genius, Ritesh Deshmukh as Aladin, Sanjay Dutt as Ringmaster and the gorgeous Jacqueline Hernandez as Jasmine.

The movie isn’t exactly one of the greatest, most prolific Bachchan movies out there but it is entertaining, there’s a lot of humor and for the Bachchan fan, there are a lot of references that are made to his movies throughout Aladin. It’s also a movie where you can point to certain scenes by our Mr. Bachchan and be confident in the fact that he is and will forever be one of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen.

The movie, if you can’t tell from the title or the name of the characters, is an interesting twist on the old Aladin tale. Both Genius and Ringmaster, the villain in the story, are interesting conceptions as far as creativity goes.

But let’s get to the humor of the movie- Mr. Bachchan is amazing as the thousand year old Genius who is a teenager in Genie years. He’s spot on with his punch lines, his one-liners are hilarious. There’s a particular scene between Genius and Aladin when Aladin reminds Geniius that he can’t use magic to help him woo the beautiful Jasmine- the way Genius, sitting in a massive armchair reading the newspaper says “yes…YEEEEEES!” like a petulant child…awesome. 

This is a green screen shot but LOOK at that intensity!!!

And then you have the Genius that appears during the second half the movie where the fun stops and the fairy tale takes a dark turn. I want you to watch that petulant teenager Genius and the dark, protective Genius who is fighting his former friend to help this kid, and tell me that Amitabh Bachchan isn’t the world’s greatest, most versatile, malleable actor.

And if you do, I’ll have to call you a liar.

There seems to be an epidemic with recent Amitabh Bachchan movies, where the movie, the script, everything about the movie sucks, or isn’t up to Bachchan standards- but Amitabh’s performance is beyond this world, beyond the movie to hold.

As I said, Aladin isn’t a film masterpiece but it is fun to watch. One shouldn’t watch this one with the hopes of being moved to the degree of movies like Deewar or Aakhree Raasta, but it’s pure entertainment. I give you the example of the soundtrack, from the fun, spunky Tak Dhina Dhin to the throwback to Pag Ghungroo to Amitabh’s awesome rap “make a wish”. And Amitabh’s hair is freaking awesome in this movie. The back was perfect but I felt like the bangs were a little annoying at times. And Sanjay, as usual, plays the part of the psycho perfectly with “Lingmaster”…

This is one of the movies I recommend watching after a long day, because it will make you laugh and smile, and if you’re a hardcore Bachchan fan, you will squeal at all the movie references! And Genius is just so freaking cool!

I personally get way too excited when Genius tells Aladi “oof! Tumare usool! Tumhare adarsh!”

Enjoy it friends! It’s Amitabh in his most comfortable shoes- the ass kicking ones! :)

Yo...brotha...

-IS