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Aladdin Review

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 6+

A magic carpet ride of a movie from Disney.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the bad guy, Jafar, can be pretty scary with his sorcery and mind control. So can Aladdin being chased by henchmen with giant swords and some mythological monsters. Genie provides plenty of comic relief to the more dangerous moments, however. Also expect a bit of mild name-calling and revealing outfits on Princess Jasmine and some curvy dancing ladies.

  • Families can talk about contradictions -- how people can be both good and bad, and learn from their mistakes? Ask kids how they think Aladdin acted selfishly or unselfishly throughout the movie.
  • Try playing the "three wishes" game in your family, and discuss the possible consequences of everyone's wishes.

The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true0

    Educational value: Not an issue

  • message true1

    Messages: "Love conquers all" is the big message in this movie. (What, with its award winning flying-carpet musical number, how can we forget it?) But the stereotyping (both of the Semitic culture and all of the antics that the Genie gets away with) can be a little off-putting.

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: Aladdin is the sweet underdog here with a big heart, but he's also pretty obsessed with treasure and will put himself in all kinds of dangerous situations to get it. Jasmine's father is caring and attentive, though weak-minded. Jafar, on the other hand, is a terrifying leader who subjects people happily to punishment and peril.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence and scariness: Big henchmen pursue Aladdin with swords, threats to Aladdin's life, scary mythical monsters, perilous chase scenes, and Jasmine is chained to a chair and forced to feed Jafar. One character is eaten by a mythical sand creature.

  • sex false2

    Sexy stuff: Very curvy ladies dance about in scanty outfits -- in fact all women are barely clad in this movie. Aladdin and Jasmine kiss and hold each other close on their first date.

  • language false1

    Language: Some name calling: "stupid," "dumb," "idiot."  

  • consumerism false4

    Consumerism: Jasmine is a Disney Princess, whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc. as well as in books, websites, and other media.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Genie says once "Mind if I smoke?" and also plays like he is in a bar.

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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