--- title: "Aladdin: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/aladdin/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/aladdin" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Aladdin (1992): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 13 reviews: 10 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics like it, and almost all of them say the same thing first: Robin Williams. The Genie’s improvised, impression-heavy vocal performance is singled out in nearly every review as the film’s engine, praised for its speed, its wit and, in a few cases, its warmth. The songs come next, then the animation, which several reviews find inventive and technically assured. Many note that it plays to adults as well as children, with a knowing humour that goes over younger heads. The reservations cluster around comparison. Several critics, Roger Ebert and the New York Times among them, rank it below Beauty and the Beast for pacing and emotional depth. The Times finds it polished but shallow. The Independent thinks the self-aware, therapy-flavoured themes sit oddly in a children’s cartoon. The sharpest dissent comes from Slant Magazine, which objects to the ethnic stereotyping and finds the Genie wearing rather than funny. The spread is wide, but the top is crowded. ## Radio Times — Tom Hutchinson Rating 5/5. Robin Williams's vocal performance as the Genie steals the show in this beautifully constructed Disney animation, his ad-libbing a perfect match for the wonderful visuals. Kids will be enchanted by the captivating Arabian Nights tale, in which street urchin Aladdin uses a magical oil lamp and its wish-granting genie to win the love of Princess Jasmine and defeat the evil Jafar; there's plenty for adults to enjoy too, particularly the film's delightful songs and numerous sophisticated references. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-qzgzqp/aladdin/) ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. After a troubled production, the film succeeds as a hip, self-aware animated musical that appeals to adults and children alike, thanks to its energetic songs, action and especially Robin Williams' blistering, improvisational Genie performance. It paved the way for sophisticated modern animation while standing up well years later. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/aladdin-review/) ## The AV Club — Tom Breihan Rating A-. 7 August 2020. Aladdin succeeds thanks to its tight 90-minute runtime, catchy songs, and especially Robin Williams' meta, riff-heavy performance as the Genie. The film feels fresh and energetic as a showcase for Williams' improvisational style and the Disney animation renaissance. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/loaded-with-robin-williams-riffs-and-killer-songs-alad-1844578281) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 November 1992. The critic praises the film as a magnificent animation blending cutting-edge technology with classic storytelling, highlighting its visual delights, lively characters, and Robin Williams' transcendent performance as the Genie. The score, songs, and overall entertainment value are singled out for making it a splendid cinematic experience. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/aladdin-review-movie-1992-1257885/) ## The New Yorker — Michael Sragow Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 1992. The review lauds the film as a spiffy, inventive, and hilarious retelling that blends adventure, musical comedy, and burlesque, driven by Robin Williams' wildly expansive Genie performance. It highlights the animation's protean energy and the way the film spoofs its own Disney formula while delivering spectacle and wit. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1992/11/30/free-spirits) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 November 1992. The critic calls it a floridly beautiful and sophisticated animated musical that should be another blockbuster, thanks to strong visuals, Robin Williams' comic flair as the Genie, and impressive songs and action. It may not match Beauty and the Beast emotionally but excels in technical virtuosity and broad appeal. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/aladdin-2-1200431030/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 1992. The film is good fun but not on a par with Disney's recent animated hits like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Robin Williams' voice work as the Genie is singled out as the standout element that brings life and energy to the proceedings. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/aladdin-1992) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 November 1992. The critic praises Disney's latest animated feature for its gorgeous animation, wonderful songs, and funny supporting characters, especially Robin Williams' Genie. It falls slightly short of predecessors like Beauty and the Beast in pacing and emotional depth but remains a strong, entertaining success. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/11/movies/review-film-disney-puts-its-magic-touch-on-aladdin.html) ## The Independent — Adam Mars-Jones Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 1993. The film consolidates Disney's recent achievements with strong vocal performances and state-of-the-art effects but overlays its story with modern therapy-like self-awareness themes that feel mismatched for a children's cartoon. Robin Williams' Genie is the standout, delivering an unmatched improvisational performance that accelerates the film's visual energy. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-a-message-for-the-little-people-adam-marsjones-finds-the-disney-studio-s-latest-offering-aladdin-heavily-overlaid-with-the-therapy-experiences-of-its-makers-1505297.html) ## The Times — Geoff Brown Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 1993. The critic finds the film polished and exuberant but lacking the finesse and emotional depth of Disney's true classics like Beauty and the Beast. He singles out the Genie, voiced by Robin Williams, for praise as a show-stealing, chameleon-like character. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/aladdin-plenty-of-polish-but-no-special-glow-ksthgq0z9) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2004. The critic finds the film ridiculous and overpraised, criticizing its ethnic stereotypes and lack of genuine Middle Eastern flavor while dismissing Robin Williams' Genie performance as a narcissistic circus act. The DVD transfer and extras are noted positively but do not redeem the movie itself. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/aladdin-dvd/) ## The Playlist — Oliver Lyttelton Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 14 March 2017. The critic ranks Aladdin among the very best Disney animated features, praising its tight script, catchy songs with Howard Ashman's contributions, stunning animation, and especially Robin Williams' voice performance as the Genie for its impressions, voices, and pathos. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/every-walt-disney-animated-classic-ranked-worst-best-essentials-20170314/6/) ## Collider — Lloyd Farley Rating B+. 25 November 2022. The critic calls Aladdin a worthy Disney classic with timeless lessons, inventive and imaginative animation, and exceptional characters. They single out Robin Williams' Genie performance for its comic genius and humanity while acknowledging some dated controversial elements. [Read the review](https://collider.com/aladdin-review-1992-robin-williams/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/aladdin.md