Did I Wish for a Reboot?

Unsurprisingly, and following Disney's history of changing the original tale, the filmmakers thought the moral message of the original Aladdin tale was inappropriate, and consequently changed it. Changing not only crucial aspects of the plot but how the magic of the original tale functioned. And what brought about the ending of the tale. One of the new themes introduced into the movie was the idea of attempting to be what someone is not. Aladdin and Jasmine run into trouble when pretending to be different people from who they are for different reasons. For Aladdin, the Prince Ali persona fails to impress Jasmine who was in love with the person Aladdin used to be not the person he is pretending to be. Jasmine only falls for Aladdin when she finds out who he truly is in an attempt to highlight the notion that being anyone else than ones true self is unattractive and undesirable. Being restricted, in all senses of the word, is also a theme that is present throughout the film. The lives restrict Aladdin and Jasmine they were born into, Genie is trapped inside his lamp, and Jaffar is eventually imprisoned as well. Finally and perhaps the most important theme is that limitless power of all kinds come from within, and it is best to be oneself and play to one's strengths as they are what make us special. I found this aspect startlingly different from the original tale as in the original when Aladdin loses his genie, and by extent his power, he discovers that it is true identity that defines who he should be; however, he never reveals his true identity to his wife or anyone, and as a result the prevailing message falls somewhat flat. This seems to imply that while one's identity defines them that the idea of "fake it till you make it" is championed. Disney’s Aladdin follows a formula much more common to the animation company, and in the end, the protagonist feels guilt about the fact that he lied about being a prince and reveals his true identity to the princess. He does this to coveys the ideals that Disney wants to promote more accurately than the original tale could have. Additionally, in the original story after Aladdin discovers the lamp is obsessed with accruing as much wealth as possible and acts under the assumption that it is possible for him to buy his happiness. Aladdin even believes that he can win over the princess with his displays of power, and while in the Disney version he believes the same he is quick to realize the error of his way and attempt to win Jasmine's hand the old fashioned way. Aladdin spends time with the princess and shows his feeling to her through actions not by some flashy expression of wealth, and in this way one is shown who Aladdin truly is. When Jasmine ends up falling in love with the true Aladdin, the audience is meant to feel as though they can love themselves and not feel the need to try and hide who they are.