Film no.1 - Aladdin

It's a pretty random choice for my first film to watch for 2011. Without sounding like I'm tooting my own horn the reason I had this film on my mind was that I finished transcribing an interview I did with Alan Menken and during it we discussed Robin Williams performance in Aladdin. It was begging for me to watch it so I did.

When Disney's animation is on it's A-Game it really has 3 things that make the films great. Great story, great characters and great music. Aladdin has all three of these things. From the rags to riches tale of Aladdin just trying to be with the girl he loves to the lovable characters of Aladdin, Genie, Abu, The Magic Carpet and even Princess Jasmine and finally the songs. So many great songs are written by Menken and Ashman for this film. A Whole New World, Never Had a Friend Like Me and Prince Ali and three of the best songs written for any Disney film.

Aladdin could be one of the most under rated animated films Disney have. I'm surely glad that I dusted it off.