Aladdin

Full disclosure: I have read just about every critique of the movie Aladdin so I'm very aware of the "problematic" points of this movie. Therefore, I have decided not to live blog this movie and to just wait until the end and give my overall opinion of whether those critiques could possibly be valid. ALSO, FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIE EVER!!!!!

Interesting enough, I found a lot of things in Aladdin that I didn't remember.

One, Jafar worked for the Sultan.

Two, the men that always tried to arrest Aladdin weren't palace guards, and they answered to Jafar. So now I understand why Disney made them gross looking and unattractive like villains. They tried to kill Aladdin.

Three, I realized that Aladdin has an animal best friend which is what Putnam used a characteristic of femininity in her article. However, Aladdin has the muscular body and the "save the damsel in distress" attitude that fits masculinity. So again, Putnam's work is deemed inaccurate.

Four, the contrast between Aladdin's and Jasmine's unhappiness. Aladdin was unhappy because he was poor and everyone saw him as a worthless street rat; he thought his problems could be solved by becoming rich and living in a palace. However, Jasmine was unhappy because she was shielded within the palace always being waited on hand and foot, so she never got to experience the world on her own; she thought the answer to her problems was to live out in the real world on her own. The lesson here is that neither could survive in the other position.

Five, Iago belonged to JAFAR FIRST. I totally understand the Shakespearean reference now.

When analyzing Aladdin, it's interesting to consider the social implications of being poor and orphaned and then becoming extremely wealthy and privileged simply by marrying well. However, social mobility definitely isn't that easy. Disney presents a message that being poor just goes away without any effort.

Also, at first glance Aladdin seems like a bit of racist implications by Disney. How is it that the first prince of color is a criminal? And he's poor without parents and lives on the streets. Also, majority of the people of color are unattractive with large noses and mustaches and beards. On top of that, Disney makes Aladdin extremely American-- Tom Cruise-- and ignores the fact that he actually is Arabian. But, when has Disney ever been historically or politically correct?

After re-watching Aladdin, I think the idea that Arabian children will hate themselves and their identity is extreme. Giroux stretched that idea. The opening song isn't the nicest, however, not very many people actually catch the lyrics to the song or understand them. And, in every movie there are mean looking people-- are white Americans not susceptible to their villains?? I never watched Aladdin and perceived any amount of Arabian hate within myself. So, for anyone to imply that Aladdin invokes negative identity for Arabian children, is a bit overboard. I do find it disturbing how barbaric they made the once civilian that was about to cut off Jasmine's hand for stealing an apple. That was scary for me as a nineteen year old college student. However, I also find it extremely privileged for Jasmine to not even consider the fact that she has to PAY for something before she can take it (or give it away). She knows money exists.............. Oh and she loves being the princess and living in the palace when it gives her the power to get rid of situations that she doesn't want (i.e. Jafar or the guards arresting Aladdin).

Overall, I still love Aladdin and the song A Whole New World.