Best/Worst Case For 15 Summer Movies (With Predictions)
13. Aladdin
Release Date: May 24th
In a season with its fair share of billion dollar guarantees, Aladdin is one of the wildcards of the season. Disney's live-action adaptations of animated films have been a mixed bag, with Beauty and the Beast and the Jungle Book in one hand and Dumbo in the other. Aladdin will continue to test how far live-action remakes can go for Disney.
Best Case: It is impossible to say this movie doesn't have things going for it, including Will Smith's star power and its soundtrack. Smith's genie will be the best part of the movie, the visual effects will be stunning, the musical performances will be satisfying and the movie will be another notch in Disney's belt.
Worst Case: Although Disney has had major success with remakes in the past, this year's Dumbo can't inspire confidence. Maybe this format should be reserved for particular movies. The film will fall well short of the animated classic and will be a financial disappointment.
Prediction: Intrigue could give Aladdin a decent first weekend, but what figures to be an average movie will not have much to hang its hat on. There will be better films in theatres and audiences will realise it fairly quickly. Thanks to another film in this mold releasing later in the year, however, don't expect these remakes to go anywhere.