ALADDIN 1, 2 & 3 [1992 / 1994 / 1996 / 2018] [3 Movie Collection] [Blu-ray] [UK Release]
The Funniest Animated Films of All Time! Behold Riches! Beyond Your Imagination!
ALADDIN FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: Academy Awards®: Win: Best Music. Win: Original Score and Best Music, Original Song for "A Whole New World." Nominated: Best Song for "Friend Like Me." Nominated: Best Sound Editing for Mark A. Mangini. Nominated: Best Sound for Terry Porter, Mel Metcalfe, David J. Hudson and Doc Kane. Golden Globes® Awards: Win: Best Original Song for "A Whole New World." Win: Best Original Score. Nominated: Best Motion Picture for Musical or Comedy. Special Achievement Award for Robin Williams. MTV Movie Awards: Win: Best Comedic Performance for Robin Williams. Grammy Awards: Win: Best Soundtrack Album. Win: Song of the Year. Win: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Win: Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for "A Whole New World."
THE RETURN OF JAFAR FILM FACT No.2: Awards and Nominations: 1994 Annie Awards: Nomination: Best Animated Home Video Release for Walt Disney Home Video. ‘THE RETURN OF JAFAR’ is an American direct-to-video animated musical fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It is the first sequel to the 1992 animated film ‘Aladdin,’ and serves as the pilot to the Aladdin animated series.
ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES FILM FACT No.3: Awards and Nominations: 1997 Annie Awards: Nomination: Best Home Video Production. Win: Best Individual Achievement: Music in a Feature/Home Video Production for Carl Johnson and Mark Watters. 1997 World Animation Celebration: Win: Best Direct to Home Video Production for Tad Stones. The film is inspired by the tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves from the 1001 Arabian Nights, replacing Ali Baba with Aladdin, and for the first time since the original Aladdin, the film has a completely new soundtrack instead of the rearranged music from the original film for ‘The Return of Jafar’ and the series and this animate film serves as the finale of the Aladdin animated film series.
‘ALADDIN’ – Soars away on a magic carpet ride of nonstop laughs and thrills in one of the most spectacular adventures of all time! Now meticulously restored and enhanced – experience the wonders of Aladdin like never before – from the Academy Award® winning music, to the unforgettable moments of side-splitting comedy and soaring adventure. In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey Abu battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine from the schemes of the evil sorcerer Jafar. Aladdin’s whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape-shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery!
‘THE RETURN OF JAFAR’ – The magical legend of Aladdin continues with the thrilling sequel to Disney's popular animated feature film 'ALADDIN.' Aladdin [Scott Weinger] is gradually getting used to being part of the inner circle of royalty. Aladdin and his fiancée Princess Jasmine [Linda Larkin] have yet to marry, but the pressures and duties of life in palace society have already begun. Meanwhile, Jafar [Jonathan Freeman] the evil sorcerer is safely trapped inside the magic lamp – but trouble starts when a clumsy thief, Abis Mal [Jason Alexander] accidently releases him, and Jafar starts to plot his revenge against Aladdin. Aladdin must now put his wedding plans on hold and enlist the help of his friends to foil Jafar once and for all and save the Sultan's kingdom!
‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES’ – Experience all the magic, music and thrills in the final Disney animated film of the Aladdin trilogy, where get to experience a grand lavish party in Agrabah, when it looks like Princess Jasmine and Aladdin will finally get married. But first Aladdin must stop the legendary Forty Thieves from stealing a mysterious wedding gift – an all-seeing Oracle that will lead them to riches beyond their imaginations. Join Aladdin and his friends – Jasmine, Abu the Monkey, the Magic Carpet, and of course, The Genie – as they face all sorts of terrifying threats and makes for exciting last-minute escapes pursuing the King of Thieves and his villainous crew. Follow them to the fantastic Vanishing Isle where they search for the ultimate treasure and where legendary secrets are revealed!
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ALADDIN Voice Cast: Scott Weinger [Aladdin], Robin Williams [Peddler / Genie], Linda Larkin [Princess Jasmine], Jonathan Freeman [Jafar], Frank Welker [Abu the Monkey / Cave of Wonders / Rajah], Gilbert Gottfried [Iago the Parrot], Douglas Seale [Sultan], Charles Adler [Gazeem / Melon Merchant / Nut Merchant], Jack Angel [Additional Voices], Corey Burton [Prince Achmed / Necklace Merchant], Philip L. Clarke [Additional Voices], Jim Cummings [Razoul / Farouk], Jennifer Darling [Additional Voices], Debi Derryberry [Harem Girl], Bruce Gooch [Additional Voices], Jerry Houser [Additional Voices], Vera Lockwood [Portly Agrabah Woman], Sherry Lynn [Additional Voices], Mickie McGowan [Additional Voices], Patrick Pinney [Additional Voices], Phil Proctor [Additional Voices], Bruce Adler [Peddler singing voice] (uncredited), Brad Kane [Aladdin singing voice] (uncredited), Wilbur Pauley [Singer] (uncredited), Lea Salonga (Jasmine singing voice) (uncredited) and Hal Smith [Jafar's Horse voice] (uncredited)
Directors: John Musker and Ron Clements
Producers: Amy Pell, Donald W. Ernst, John Musker and Ron Clements
Screenplay: Brian Pimental, Burny Mattinson, Chris Sanders, Daan Jippes, Darrell Rooney, David S. Smith, Francis Glebas, James Fujii, John Musker, Kevin Harkey, Kevin Lima, Screenplay: Kirk Hanson, Larry Leker, Patrick A. Ventura, Rebecca Rees, Roger Allers, Ron Clements, Sue C. Nichols, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Composers: Alan Menken (original score), Howard Ashman (lyricist) and Tim Rice (lyricist)
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THE RETURN OF JAFAR Voice Cast: Jason Alexander [Abis Mal], Jonathan Freeman [Jafar], Jeff Bennett [Thief], Gilbert Gottfried [Iago the Parrot], Val Bettin [Sultan], Brad Kane [Aladdin singing voice], Liz Callaway [Princess Jasmine singing voice], Linda Larkin [Princess Jasmine], Dan Castellaneta [Genie], B.J. Ward [Street Mother], Jim Cummings [Razoul], Scott Weinger [Aladdin], Frank Welker [Abu the Monkey] and Maurice LaMarche [Jafar The Genie] (uncredited)
Directors: Alan Zaslove, Tad Stones and Toby Shelton
Producers: Alan Zaslove, Jessica Koplos-Miller, Maia Mattise and Tad Stones
Screenplay: Bill Motz, Bob Roth, Brian Swenlin, Dev Ross, Duane Capizzi, Doug Langdale, Jan Strnad, Kevin Campbell, Mark McCorkle, Mirith J.S. Colao, Robert Schooley, Steve Roberts and Tad Stones
Composer: Mark Watters (original music)
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ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES Voice Cast: Val Bettin [Sultan], Jim Cummings [Razoul], Gilbert Gottfried [Iago the Parrot], Linda Larkin [Princess Jasmine], Jerry Orbach [Sa'luk], John Rhys-Davies [Cassim], Scott Weinger [Aladdin], Frank Welker [Abu the Monkey / Rajah / Fazahl], Robin Williams [Genie], Jeff Bennett [Zagoolien], Corey Burton [Hakim], Jess Harnell [Additional Voice Talents], Clyde Kusatsu [Thief /Additional Voice Talents], Rob Paulsen [Additional Voice Talents], CCH Pounder [The Oracle], Bruce Adler [Peddler] (uncredited), Joan Barber [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited), Scott Barnes [Thief singing voice] (uncredited), Liz Callaway [Princess Jasmine singing voice] (uncredited), Merwin Foard [Cassim singing voice] (uncredited), David Friedman [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited), Paul Kandel [Thief singing voice] (uncredited), Brad Kane [Aladdin singing voice] (uncredited), Alix Korey [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited), Marin Mazzie [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited), Peter Samuel [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited), Gordon Stanley [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited), Guy Stroman [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited) and Molly Wasserman [Chorus singing voice] (uncredited)
Director: Tad Stones
Producers: Jeannine Roussel and Tad Stones
Screenplay: Mark McCorkle (screenplay), Robert Schooley (screenplay) and Terry Rossio (characters) (uncredited)
Composers: Carl Johnson and Mark Watters
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 and 1.78:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Czech: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Greek: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Polish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Russian: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound
French: 5.1 DTS-HD High Resolution Sound
Dutch: 5.1 DTS Digital Surround Sound
Ukrainian: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Russian: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, English, Czech, Greek, Polish, French, Dutch, Russian and Slovakian
Running Time: 90 minutes; 69 minutes and 81 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 2
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment / Walt Disney Television Animation
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With this outstanding ALADDIN 3 Movie Blu-ray Collection, it is a brilliant way to showcase the wonderful composed Music, Magical Songs, brilliant Technicolor images, and of course the late great comic genius of Robin Williams in two of the ALADDIN Disney animated films. The Disney organisation has been really excellent about the releasing of these specific animated films, especially their older classic animated films via brilliant Blu-ray editions which cater to both the young fans and the older generation. Now with this brilliant and wonderful 3 Movie Collection of the Disney animated feature films, you get to view the adventures of the eponymous street urchin Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, the sultan's evil advisor, Jafar, who is always trying to hatch evil plots to gain the thrown of the sultan, along with his devious Iago the parrot. So sit back and enjoy the amazing lifetime adventure, brought to you via the equally wonderful Disney organisation and especially these three wonderful, exciting and brilliant Technicolor Disney animated feature films.
‘ALADDIN’ [1992] is an animated musical fantasy film produced by the Walt Disney Pictures. The animated film is the 31st Disney animated feature film, and was the fourth produced during the Disney film era known as the Disney Renaissance. The film follows Aladdin, who is a street rat living in the streets of Agrabah a fictional kingdom. With his monkey Abu they meet Princess Jasmine who sneaked out of the Royal Palace in search of adventure. Aladdin is thrown in jail by Jafar's orders, the Sultans advisor. Jafar says he will release Aladdin if he goes into the cave of wonders and retrieves a magic Lamp. Aladdin gets the lamp and finds out there is a Genie inside whom he uses to escape the cave and become a Prince so that he can marry Princess Jasmine.
When the palace guards capture Aladdin on Jafar's orders, Jasmine confronts Jafar to demand Aladdin's release, only for Jafar to lie to her that Aladdin has been executed. Disguised as an old man, Jafar frees Aladdin and Abu from prison, and sends them to the cave, ordering them to retrieve the lamp. There, Aladdin finds a magic carpet and obtains the lamp. Unaware to touch nothing but the lamp, Abu grabs a red jewel, and the cave collapses. Aladdin hands over the lamp to Jafar, who throws both Aladdin and Abu back down into the cave, though not before Abu manages to steal the lamp back. Trapped, Aladdin rubs the lamp and meets the Genie, who is trapped inside of it. The Genie tells Aladdin that he will grant him three wishes. Aladdin tricks the Genie into freeing themselves from the cave without using a wish, and he uses his first to become "Prince Ali Ababwa" in order to woo Jasmine.
Iago the parrot steals the lamp, and Jafar becomes the Genie's new master. He uses his first two wishes to usurp the Sultan, and become the world's most powerful sorcerer, exposing Aladdin's identity and exiling him, Abu, and the carpet to a frozen wasteland. However, they escape, and return to the palace, where Jafar tries to use his final wish to make Jasmine fall in love with him, but the Genie cannot grant the wish as it is beyond his power.
Jafar catches on to the plan, stops Aladdin, traps Jasmine inside an hourglass, and overpowers Aladdin and his friends with his magic. After Aladdin rescues Jasmine out of the hourglass, he tricks Jafar into using his last wish to become an all-powerful genie; now bound to his new lamp, Jafar ends up trapped inside it, taking Iago with him.
With the palace and kingdom returned to normal, the Genie sends Jafar's lamp far away into the Cave of Wonders, and suggests that Aladdin use his third wish to regain his royal title so the law will allow him to stay with Jasmine. Aladdin decides to keep his promise and frees the Genie. Realising Aladdin and Jasmine are in love, the Sultan changes the law to allow Jasmine to marry whom she chooses. The Genie leaves to explore the world, while Aladdin and Jasmine plan their marriage.
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‘THE RETURN OF JAFAR’ [1994] is the made-for-video sequel, where the wicked scheming evil Jafar returns to Agrabah after a clumsy bandit sets him free from the lamp in which he was imprisoned. But, because he must obey the genie's law and is not allowed to kill on his own, Jafar uses his rescuer as a tool of revenge against his wrongdoers. Aladdin is of course Jafar's primary target, who is now a royal advisor and manages to stay in the good graces with the Sultan and Princess Jasmine until Iago [Gilbert Gottfried] the sidekick Parrot, obeying Jafar, but decides to double-cross Jafar. With his friends in chains, Aladdin must first prove that the rumour of the Sultan being killed, then finds a way to destroy Jafar's lamp, thus finally destroying Jafar forever.
Aladdin makes good progress with his discussions with the Sultan, but he is ambushed by Abis Mal, who is supported by Jafar's sorcery. The Sultan is kidnapped and Aladdin is thrown into the raging river. Then Jafar frames Aladdin for the alleged murder of the Sultan by leaving fake evidence and disguises himself as Jasmine to implicate Aladdin. Aladdin is eventually thrown into the dungeon, to be executed by beheading the following morning.
In the dungeon, Iago the Parrot chooses to side with Aladdin's friends by releasing The Genie to save Aladdin. Once everyone is freed, Aladdin decides to destroy Jafar, which could only occur by destroying his lamp. Jafar and Abis Mal celebrate Aladdin's death, but Jafar demands to be set free. Abis Mal hesitates, being suspicious of Jafar's motives. So Aladdin attempts to steal the lamp, but is discovered and is blown out of the throne room and into the palace garden by Jafar.
Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie, Abu the Monkey and the magic Carpet engage Jafar in a mighty combat, but even when bound by the rules of The Genie, easily outmatches them all by using his tremendous powers to stop them from obtaining the lamp. The Genie indiscriminate use of power opens a fissure in the ground which is filled with magma. Thoroughly trapped, Aladdin, Jasmine, The Genie, and Abu the Monkey face certain death when suddenly Iago the Parrot reappears and grabs the lamp and Jafar blasts him, leaving him for dead, but Iago the Parrot manages to recover and uses his last ounce of strength to kick the lamp into the magma. The lamp is destroyed, along with the evil Jafar.
To the joy of all, Iago the Parrot recovers from his injuries, since it is among The Genie's set of laws that he can't use his powers to kill. Amidst the celebration, however, Aladdin announces to the Sultan that he is not yet ready to become a grand vizier, because first he wants to see the world. Jasmine declares that she will join him, but Iago the Parrot objects to this and continues to rant as the film ends. Abis Mal, meanwhile, is still hanging on a tree branch, dismayed that he will never get his third wish with Jafar and his lamp gone, but Iago the Parrot objects to this and continues to rant annoyingly.
As we near the end of ‘THE RETURN OF JAFAR’ animated feature film, we find Aladdin [Scott Weinger] is gradually getting used to being part of the inner circle of royalty. Aladdin and his fiancée Princess Jasmine [Linda Larkin] have yet to marry, but the pressures and duties of life in palace society have already begun. Meanwhile, Jafar the evil sorcerer [Jonathan Freeman] is safely trapped inside the magic lamp – but trouble starts when a clumsy thief, Abis Mal [Jason Alexander] accidently releases him, and Jafar starts to plot his revenge against Aladdin, and so Aladdin must now put his wedding plans on hold and enlist the help of his friends to foil Jafar once and for all and save the Sultan's kingdom.
‘THE RETURN OF JAFAR’ has the general look of its predecessor, but this made-for-video sequel does not possess the wit or integrity of the original Disney animated film ‘ALADDIN.’ The cast is mostly the same, with welcome newcomer Jason Alexander as the greedy thief Abis Mal whose lamp-rubbing sets Jafar loose. The obvious missing ingredient here is the late great comic genius Robin Williams, whose manic ad-libbing as the blue Genie had animators scribbling madly to keep up and this time is replaced by Dan Castellaneta, who does a fine job, but slightly lacks Robin Williams’s brilliant madcap comic spontaneity.
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‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES’ [1996] is the third sequel of the ‘ALADDIN’ Disney franchise, and is far more entertaining of the Disney’s original animated film to go directly to home video. In purely artistic terms, ‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES’ is a great improvement over ‘THE RETURN OF JAFAR’ animated film and is saddled with another curses-foiled-plot scenario, and not so memorable musical numbers. It is a great relief to report that the late great comic genius Robin Williams was been coaxed back with his unique role as The Genie, and his wonderful over the top frenetic energy that you expect in the animated film ‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES.’
In a weird way, the shape-shifting Genie is definitely Robin Williams most perfect natural role, since it allows him to channel and parody any number of characters, that he gets to goof around, especially among the likes of Marlon Brando, Tinkerbell, Woody Allen, Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, Bing Crosby, Pumbaa, Senor Wences, Ozzie Nelson, Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie, and Bill Paxton in the ‘Aliens’ film. At one point, the Genie says that he is having an “out-of-movie experience,” and that is the best way to describe Robin Williams liberating comic genius that is fun filled frenzy extravaganza, that we will always love about the wonderful Robin Williams.
In the animated film ‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES,’ everyone's third wish comes true in Aladdin's ultimate adventure. At last, Aladdin and Jasmine are about to be married. But Aladdin, despite the support and encouragement of his friends, is nervous and afraid, worrying about what kind of father he will be since he never knew his own father. As Aladdin and Jasmine are finally about to get married, the ceremony is interrupted by the infamous Forty Thieves who are after a specific wedding gift. The gift turns out to be a mystical oracle that claims Aladdin's father is alive! Aladdin searches for his father and discovers that Dad is the King of the Forty Thieves who desires the mystic oracle to locate the Hand of Midas and is capable of turning anything into gold, but first Aladdin must stop the thieves and eventually find his long-lost father into the bargain.
Aladdin follows the thieves to their hideout in Mount Sesame and reunites with his father Cassim, the King of Thieves. His second in command, Sa'luk, tries to execute Aladdin for trespassing, but the only way to avoid execution is to earn his place in the group by fighting for his life. Sa'luk falls off from the cliff to the sea, but survives and gives the hideout's password to Razoul in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
In the meantime, Sa'luk returns to Mount Sesame and rallies the few remaining thieves under his leadership by claiming that Cassim has sold them out. When Cassim and Iago return to the hideout, they are captured by Sa'luk and forced to call forth the Oracle, who leads them to the Vanishing Isle, a castle fortress attached on the back of a giant turtle, where the hand is located. Iago escapes and reunites with Aladdin, and the heroes head to the isle.
Aladdin saves Cassim, and they work together to retrieve the hand while the turtle begins to dive back under the sea. Sa'luk catches up with them and forces Cassim to choose between keeping the hand or saving Aladdin. Cassim tosses the hand to Sa'luk, who incautiously catches it by its golden palm, which transforms him into a golden statue. Now realizing that his son is the treasure of his life, Cassim discards the hand and reconciles with Aladdin. With their enemies gone, Aladdin and Jasmine get married, while Cassim and Iago, still outlawed, leave to travel the world together and everyone lives happily ever after.
ALADDIN 3 MOVIE COLLECTION MUSIC TRACK LIST
ALADDIN [1992]
ARABIAN NIGHTS (Music by Alan Menken) (Lyrics by Howard Ashman) [Performed by Bruce Adler]
ONE JUMP AHEAD (Music by Alan Menken) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) [Performed by Brad Kane]
FRIENDS LIKE ME (Music by Alan Menken) (Lyrics by Howard Ashman) [Performed by Robin Williams]
A WHOLE NEW WORLD (Music by Alan Menken) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) [Performed by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane]
PRINCE ALI REPRISE (Music by Alan Menken) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (Produced by Alan Menken and Tim Rice) [Performed by Johnathan Freeman]
A WHOLE NEW WORLD (End Title Duet / Aladdin's Theme) (Music by Alan Menken) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (Produced by Walter Afanasieff) (Arranged by Walter Afanasieff and Robbie Buchanan) [Performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle]
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THE RETURN OF JAFAR [1994]
ARABIAN NIGHTS (Lyrics by Howard Ashman) (Music by Alan Menken) (Produced and Arranged by Bruce Rowland) [Performed by Brian Hannan]
I’M LOOKING OUT FOR ME (Lyrics and Music by Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn) [Performed by Gilbert Gottfried]
NOTHING IN THE WORLD (Quite Like a Friend) (Lyrics and Music by Dale Gonyea and Michael Silversher) [Performed by Liz Callaway, Dan Castellaneta and Brad Kane]
FORGET ABOUT LOVE (Lyrics and Music by Patty Silversher and Michael Silversher) [Performed by Liz Callaway, Gilbert Gottfried and Brad Kane]
YOU’RE ONLY SECOND RATE (Lyrics and Music by Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn) [Performed by Jonathan Freeman]
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ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES [1996]
THERE’S A PARTY HERE IN AGRABAH (Lyrics and Music by David Friedman) [Performed by Robin Williams, Brad Kane, Liz Callaway, Merwin Foard and Gilbert Gottfried]
OUT OF THIN AIR (Lyrics and Music by David Friedman) [Performed by Brad Kane and Liz Callaway]
WELCOME TO THE FORTY THIEVES (Lyrics and Music by Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn) [Performed by Scott Barnes, Don Bradford, Merwin Foard, David Friedman, Paul Kandel, Peter Samuel, Gordon Stanley and Guy Stroman]
FATHER AND SON (Lyrics and Music by Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn) [Performed by Robin Williams, Brad Kane and Merwin Foard]
ARE YOU IN OR OUT (Lyrics and Music by Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn) [Performed by Jerry Orbach]
ARABIAN NIGHTS REPRISE (Lyrics by Howard Ashman) (Music by Alan Menken) [Performed by Bruce Adler]
WELCOME TO THE FORTY THIEVES REPRISE (Lyrics and Music by Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn) [Performed by Scott Barnes, Don Bradford, Merwin Foard, David Friedman, Paul Kandel, Peter Samuel, Gordon Stanley and Guy Stroman]
Blu-ray Image Quality – With all three Disney Blu-ray Discs, you get an amazing upgraded image, that is vibrant, colourful and in a spectacular 1080p image presentation, especially compared to the previous edition releases and with the two 1.85:1 and 1.78:1 aspect ratio presentations, it really shows off these Disney animated films so beautifully. Even when I watched it over and over on the old fashioned VHS format, I remember being blown away by the brilliant animation and I am glad to report that these upgraded transfers depicts all of three ALADDIN animated films in all its wonderful extravaganza Technicolor glory, and stays true to the Disney perfectionism that we have become accustomed to and expect. The colours have a much more life to them than they did with the inferior DVD releases and they never waver in all three animated films, and especially the animator’s artwork really shines and shows off the Blacks are sufficiently nice and dark. There is no adverse colour noise to report and it is all very clean as you would expect it to be. These 3 Movie Collection Disney Blu-ray Editions are totally awesome and again have a totally exceptional image transfer presentation for all of these much beloved Disney animation films.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – These Disney 3 Movie Collection Blu-ray Editions gives us a stunning 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix all round. The front, back, and side speakers are all working and catching every flying knife, sand blowing in the wind or swoosh of a sword and when it comes to the action sequences, has a natural feel to it. Dialogue is always very clear and especially when we hear the late great comic genius Robin Williams voice in ‘ALADDIN’ and ‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES’ and gets thrown all over the place as he appears here and there with different voices and wonderful accents and overall the dialogue is loud, clear and very crisp, and especially when Alan Menken's beautiful film music score fills the audio soundscape and provides a wonderfully memorable magical experience and the highlight of all of the soundtracks on these three Blu-ray discs is again because you hear some wonderful immensely memorable songs, which deserved all the Awards they received.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Blu-ray Disc No.1
Audio Commentary with Co-directors John Musker, Ron Clements and are joined by Co-Producer Amy Pell: Here first of all we get introduced individually by John Musker, Ron Clements and Amy Pell to comment about their work on the Disney animated film ‘ALADDIN,’ and here they are welcoming us on their journey through the Arabian desert and beyond. They inform us that at the time of recording the audio commentary, that it was well over 10 years ago since they worked on the animated film, and now with watching the film again, it is bring back lots of fond memories flooding back. With the song Arabian Nights at the start of the animated film, was originally a much longer song, but they decided it was far too long and decided the shorter version we hear was much better. When you see the Peddler [Robin Williams], and at the time of the recording session, a lot of junk was brought into the recording studio, so that they would allow Robin Williams to really improvise and react to each of the objects he picks up, and that is what you view when the Peddle is trying to entice you to purchase one of his items, and we are also informed that the session actual lasted for over an hour, and of course they had to really edit the scene down to a manageable length. When you see the pompous suitor rides into town to visit the Palace and Princess Jasmine, and you see Aladdin standing between two adult men, well we are informed that the roly-poly gentleman with the ginger beard is Ron Clements and the gentleman with the purple moustache is John Musker, because they wanted to do an homage to director Alfred Hitchcock. When Steven Spielberg saw a rough cut version of the animated film, and commented that when things get “mushy” between Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, always cut to Abu the Monkey. When Aladdin, Abu the Monkey and the Magic Carpet are trying to escape from the lava in the Cave of Wonders, the team went to film a rollercoaster ride and that is why you see how they got the weaving about effect for the Magic Carpet. Because Aladdin, Abu the Monkey and the Magic Carpet are trapped in the Cave of Wonders, and Abu the Monkey reveals he had stolen back the Magic Lamp and Aladdin makes The Genie appear, right from the beginning they originally thought and wanted Robin Williams to be the voice of The Genie and of course worked around his crazy madcap improvised recordings and his crazy antics when singing the songs and of course helped to incorporate all what you see in the animated film. Near the end of the animated film, they suggested it should end with a wedding scene, but Jeffery Katzenberg says, “Guys, the movie is over, and people are getting up, putting their coats on and walking out of the cinema,” so ended up with what you see with Aladdin and Princess Jasmine flying off into the distance on the Magic Carpet. As we get to the end of the film credits, Amy Pell, John Musker and Ron Clements, says goodbye, and thanks everybody for being with us throughout the audio commentary, and I second this, as it was quite an enjoyable, fun recording session, and especially finding out some fascinating background information about the making of the animated film ‘ALADDIN,’ so I hope you also get to enjoy the experience like I did and gets a five star rating from me.
Special Feature: Sing-Along With The Movie: Here you can join in with all the brilliant composed songs where you have the option of seeing the song lyrics at the bottom of the screen so you are able to sing along during the musical scenes, like you would do at a karaoke venue.
Special Feature: Deleted Scenes [1992] [1080i] [1.37:1] Here we get to view two deleted scenes that are presented in very rough animated storyboard form, and they are as follows: "Aladdin & Jasmine's First Meeting" [2:51] which had the two meeting in a very different way. The second is "Aladdin in the Lap of Luxury" [2:52] where he is soaking up the palace life style and also features the character of his mother. At the start of each deleted scene we get an explanation of why they were deleted and what you are about to view and they are introduced by Ron Clements and John Musker [Producers/Directors].
Special Feature: Music Videos [1992] [1080i/1080p] [1.33:1] Here you get to view three music videos, that includes: "A Whole New World" performed by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle [4:07]; "A Whole New World" performed by Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson [4:14] and "Proud of Your Boy" performed by Clay Aiken [2:20].
Special Feature: Deleted Songs [1992] [480i] [1.37:1] [13:57] Here we get to view four deleted songs via rough storyboard animation and they are as follows: "You Can Count on Me" sung by Aladdin, "Humiliate the Boy" sung by Jafar, "Why Me" also sung by Jafar, and "Proud of Your Boy" [Original Demo Recording] sung by Aladdin for his mother. With each deleted song we get an introduction from Ron Clements [Co-Producer/Co-Director], John Musker [Co-Producer/Co-Director], Ed Gombert [Story Supervisor] and Alan Menken [Composer] and they all explain the reason why each song was not suitable for the animated film ‘ALADDIN.’
Special Feature: A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of 'ALADDIN' [2004] [1080p] [1.37:1] [99:33] Here the original creative team of ‘ALADDIN’ reunites on the stage at the HYPERION Theater that is located at the Disney California Adventure in Hollywood Land and at the time they were showing the ALADDIN Musical Spectacular Stage Show and on top of all that we get exclusive behind-the-scenes celebration of their beloved magic Disney animated film ‘ALADDIN.’ It is broken up into lots of different sections, which are as follows: Intro: An Evening With The Creators of ‘ALADDIN’ and the Producers; From Arabian Nights to the Silver Screen; Reflections On Black Friday; Keane’s Team: Redesigning The lead Characters; Rough Stuff #1: Progression Reel; Rough Stuff #2: An Animator Checks His Work; Green Room/Take 1; The Music; A Whole New World: The Recording Session; Rough Stuff #3: Prince Ali: Work In Progress; Green Room/Take 2; The Animators; Pencil and Computer Creating; The Magic Carpet; Master of the Line: The Art of Al Hirschfeld; Designing Jasmine; Designing Jafar; Unsung Heroes of The Clean-up Department; Jafar Goes To The Birds; Rough Stuff #4: When Live Action Meets Animation; Green Room/Take 3; The Voice Talent; Gilbert Gottfried: Up Close and Aggravated; Behind The Microphone; Extended Cast Member Interviews: Linda Larkin; Extended Cast Member Interviews: Douglas Seale; Extended Cast Member Interviews: Johnathan Freeman; Green Room/Take 4 and Made You Look! As usual, you can watch each item individual or Play All. So all in all, it is a very nice feature that I know Disney fans will definitely want to watch and is very enjoyable, highly interesting, often lots of relatively technical details without being hard to follow. Contributors include: Leonard Maltin [Host], Gilbert Gollfried [Backstage Host], Ron Clements [Producer/Director], John Musker [Producer/Director], Amy Pell [Co-Producer], Dr. Ali Behdad, Associate Professor [Dept. of English and Companion to Comparative Literature at UCLA], Eric Goldberg [Supervising Animator], Randy Cartwright [Supervising Animator], Terry Rossio [Co-writer], Ted Elliott [Co-writer], Glen Keane [Supervising Animator], Jeffery Katzenberg [Chairman 1984 – 1994], Scott Weinger [Voice of Aladdin], Alan Menken [Composer], Lea Salonga [Singing Voice of Jasmine], Randy Cartwright [Supervising Animator], Will Finn [Supervising Animator], Andrea Deja [Supervising Animator], Richard Vander Wende [Production Designer], Steve Goldberg [Supervising CGI animator], Tine Price [Computer Animator], Ed Wexler [Caricaturist], Mark Henn [Supervising Animator], Beth Allen [Mark Henn’s Sister], Vera Lanpher-Pacheco [Supervisor of Clean-up Dept.], Bill Perkins [Art Department], Jonathan Freeman [Voice of Jafar], Linda Larkin [Voice of Jasmine] and Douglas Seale [Voice of Sultan].
Sneak Previews: Monster University [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:04]; PLANES [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:19]; DisneyLand Paris 20th Anniversary [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [00:32]; Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Computer Game [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [00:32] and TinkerBell [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:08]
Blu-ray Disc No.2
Special Feature: THE RETURN OF JAFAR: Disney Song Selection [1994] [1080p] [1.78:1] Here you get to view all the songs featured in this animated film, and includes: Arabian Nights; I'm Looking Out For Me; Nothing In The World (Quite Like a Friend); Forget About Love; You're Only Second Rate. You can choose to view the lyrics at the bottom of the screen so you can sing-a-long with what you are viewing or you can choose to view without the lyrics visible. You can also view each song separately or Play All.
Special Feature: ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES: Disney Song Selection [1996] [1080p] [1.78:1] Here you get to view all the songs featured in this animated film, where you can select to view them again, and includes: Party in Agrabah; Out Of Thin Air; Welcome To The Forty Thieves; Father and Son; Are You In Or Out?; Arabian Nights Reprise and Welcome To The Forty Thieves Reprise. You can choose to view the lyrics at the bottom of the screen so you can sing-a-long with what you are viewing or you can choose to view without the lyrics visible. You can also view each song separately or Play All.
Finally, the ALADDIN 3 Movie Collection Blu-ray discs are totally near perfect spectacular action packed animation films. It has romance, a spectacular evil villain of Jafar and a wonderful sidekick with Iago the parrot. All three animated films are extremely funny, mostly due to the spectacular work of comic genius Robin Williams as the Genie as heard in ‘ALADDIN’ and ‘ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES’ animated films and is still one of the best Aladdin franchise animated films that has been produced by the Disney organisation, and they say, “Bring Home The Disney Magic,” and you will certainly get this with this spectacular awesome stunning 3 Movie Collection Blu-ray discs, that has a great selection of Extras, that will give you many hours of enjoyment and entertainmet, yes folks, it is that good! Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
