Aladdin Review: 4 Ups & 5 Downs
2. Naomi Scott & Mena Massoud's Solid Lead Performances
Will Smith may be the easy MVP here, but in Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud the film also finds a rock solid Jasmine and Aladdin.
Scott in particular makes for a charismatic and strong-headed Jasmine, and delivers easily the most consistently impressive vocal performance across the board.
Massoud isn't quite as assured as Aladdin, but nevertheless proves to be a convincing live-action adaptation of the animated hero, both as a fleet-footed thief and a more awkward romantic interest for Jasmine.
Admirably, the film doesn't layer on the romantic entanglement too thickly, allowing Scott and Massoud's natural chemistry to win out above a potentially contrived love story.
They certainly deserved better material, but both performers work well enough with what they've got.