If I could make one wish as a movie lover, it would be that Disney would take some creative risks when they dig into their animated back catalog to find live-action inspiration — instead of playing it safe, as the studio does with its tepid retelling of “Aladdin.”
That’s not to say the 1992 animated adventure couldn’t stand an update. The old movie’s gloss on Arabic culture is none too worldly, and its handling of its only female character, Jasmine, doesn’t consider that a princess could be a future sultan rather than just marrying one. The animated version’s top draw, Robin Williams’ rapid-fire improvisational work as the voice of Genie, though still funny on a rewatch, is loaded with dated references (including Ed Sullivan, William F.