Aladdin (1992): Walt Disney Signature Collection (4K UHD Review)

By A Mystery Man Writer

Aladdin was a break-out hit when it first appeared in theaters in 1992, greatly expanding upon the critical and commercial success of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast before it. (The Lion King would continue this upward trend just two years later, leading some historians to call this period a “renaissance” of Disney animation.) Clearly, much of this film’s success was due to Robin Williams’ extraordinary performance as the Genie—not just his voiceover work, but also the way his sheer physicality during the recording sessions informed the character animation. Williams’ frenetic energy and off-the-wall impersonations and references lent this film a level of humor and contemporary accessibility that audiences simply hadn’t seen from a Disney animated film since The Jungle Book.