Blu-Ray Review: ‘Aladdin’

More than twenty years after the release of Disney’s Aladdin, I can still remember sitting there in the theater with my step-siblings, waiting to be transported to a whole new world. The release of a new Disney animated film was always something to look forward to, but after watching The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast countless times on VHS, 11-year-old me was over the moon with the thought of a male protagonist.

At the time, I could never have predicted that it would be the boisterous blue supporting character that would stick with me the most, but there was so much energy and mischief and fun in Robin Williams’ portrayal of the Genie that he instantly leapt to the top of my list of favorite Disney characters. It’s an experience that I can imagine most people shared when seeing Aladdin for the first time, and every subsequent viewing has only served to reinforce my opinion that it’s one of Disney’s most remarkable films.

The long-waited Diamond Edition release on Blu-Ray contains an absolutely stunning 1080p transfer that looks better than fans could ever have hoped for. The colors are rich and vibrant, and the HD treatment will allow you to appreciate the film’s attention to detail like never before. Seriously, hit the pause button and check out the intricate patterns on the magic carpet – it’s astounding. The unbelievably gorgeous video is complemented by a great 7.1 DTS-HD audio track that will make the floor shake when the Cave of Wonders roars in fury, and should have viewers our of their seats and dancing to Friend Like Me.

When it comes to extras, the Aladdin Diamond Edition is fully loaded, including nearly every bonus feature from the film’s previous DVD release, as well as a host of new offerings. Chief among these selections is The Genie’s Outtakes, a 9-minute segment that features some hilarious alternate takes from the many recording sessions Robin Williams did for the Genie, complete with animated storyboards and introductions from directors John Musker and Ron Clements, and supervising animator Eric Goldberg.

Fans have been waiting years to see Aladdin finally get the HD treatment, and we’re pleased to report that our patience has been rewarded. This is one of the best home video releases of any film in the Disney collection, and the fact that it also happens to be one of the studio’s best efforts is just icing on the cake. Add this one to your collection immediately by clicking the image below.