Walt Disney's 31st animated feature, Aladdin (1992)
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One of the great things about the hand-drawn Disney Animation, has always been, for me, to watch certain scenes and sequences in slow motion. Growing up with my dad's VHS machine, I could sit in front of the tv for hours and watch some of my favorite scenes from the animated classics in slow motion. It was always facinating to me, each and every frame was a new discovery.
I have made similar articles like this, with The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King and now it's time for another one of my personal favorite Disney movies, Aladdin from 1992.
Me and Aladdin go way back. Along with The Little Mermaid and Pocahontas, it was one of my favorite movies growing up and it remains one to this day. I just love the characters, the storyline, the songs, the score and the animation. And yes, this is one of the more cartoony animated features Disney has done. But that is not a problem for me. I still love the movie. The animation is just so rich, from the character animation to the effects animation and the backgrounds.
Image#1: Aladdin, Abu and a Palace Guard
Four cel set-up applied to a matching background of Agrabah.
Quote: Aladdin: (Singing) One jump ahead of the bread line. One swing ahead of the sword.
Number of frames: 64 frames.
Description of the sequence: A Palace Guard stands in front of Aladdin and takes a few swings at him with his sword, but Aladdin is way too fast.
PrueFever's comment: This is such a funny sequence and it shows easily how 'cartoony' Aladdin is. I bet the animators had a lot of fun with the whole 'One Jump Ahead' number as they got to let loose and animate some wacky sequences. I also love how playful Aladdin is here. Even though he is in great danger, he still holds out the stolen bread like it was a sword. xD
Image#2: Princess Jasmine
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background of Agrabah.
Quote: No qoute.
Number of frames: 116 frames.
Description of the sequence: Jasmine places the scarf back over her head (which was knocked off in her collision with the Fire-eater) to hide her identity.
PrueFever's comment: This is such a beautiful sequence with Jasmine and I can totally understand why Aladdin falls in love her. She's absolutely gorgeous.
Image#3: Genie
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background of the cave.
Quote: Genie: Geeniee.
Number of frames: 40 frames.
Description of the sequence: Genie presents himself to Aladdin.
PrueFever's comment: I have always loved this shot of Genie in the spotlight.
Image#4: Jafar
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Jafar: (Get the) point?.
Number of frames: 20 frames.
Description of the sequence: Jafar taunts Aladdin.
PrueFever's comment: A cool sequence of the evil Jafar. I like how you can really see the lines in the animation on Jafar's face.
Image#5: Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: No quote.
Number of frames: 79 frames.
Description of the sequence: Aladdin looking at Genie, both happy for his freedom, but also sad that he has to say goodbye to his friend.
PrueFever's comment: I love Aladdin's expression in this gif. It is very subtle animation, great work.
Image#6: Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Aladdin: Genie... I'm.. I'm gonna miss you.
Number of frames: 145 frames.
Description of the sequence: Aladdin tells Genie that he's going to miss him.
PrueFever's comment: Another great shot of Aladdin. I love the way he puts his fingers through his hair and how shy he seems. But there are some great screencaps in this sequence. In a few of the frames, Aladdin looks really sad.
Image#7: Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Aladdin: Abu? Down here.
Number of frames: 66 frames.
Description of the sequence: Aladdin calls to Abu.
PrueFever's comment: A great shot of Aladdin changed to the dungon.
Image#8: Princess Jasmine
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: No quote.
Number of frames: 72 frames.
Description of the sequence: Jasmine smiles sweetly to Aladdin.
PrueFever's comment: I have always loved this shot of Jasmine. She's so beautiful. I also love how subtle the animation of her is here. One thing I noticed as I made this gif, is the background. If you keep your eyes on the background, notice it changes and becomes sharper halfway. I have no idea why this is.
Images#9 & #10: Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Aladdin: She's got these eyes that just...and this hair, wow! And her smile. (Sigh)
Number of frames: 176 frames.
Description of the sequence: Aladdin tries to tell the Genie how beautiful Princess Jasmine is.
PrueFever's comment: Aladdin, animated beautifully here, by Glen Keane, is some of the first animation of the character done for the movie. There are some really great expressions from Aladdin here. I love the final expression on Aladdin's face as he looks on the Genie.
Image#11: Princess Jasmine & The Sultan
Three cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Jafar: Abject humiliation!
Number of frames: 48 frames.
Description of the sequence: Jafar strikes Princess Jasmine and The Sultan with a blast of magic, that forces them both of bow down before him.
PrueFever's comment: I have always loved this sequence of Jasmine and the Sultan as they fall and bow to Jafar. I love how you can see how Jasmine is trying to resist the magic, but she has to give in and fall to her knees. The Sultan, on the other hand, just falls to his knees straight away! xD Also, the animation on the magic is also just beautiful. One thing I would have changed though, is the first frames. They're both just standing there, without doing anything. I'd had them react with their faces, their eyes, mouths, something.
Image#12: Aladdin
Two cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Jafar: Your eternal reward!
Number of frames: 18 frames.
Description of the sequence: As the old beggar raises his hand with a knife in it, Aladdin becomes horrified.
PrueFever's comment: A great close-up of Aladdin as he realizes what is about to happen to him. On the Blu-ray commentary with directors John Musker, Ron Clements and co-producer Amy Pell, they said the following about this shot: "There was a discussion about the close-up of his eyes, of Aladdin eyes. How to get at a more emotional in here. Just by adding that close-up, it added just what was needed."
Image#13: Jasmine & Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Jasmine: A whole new...
Number of frames: 35 frames.
Description of the sequence: Jasmine and Aladdin are holding on tight, as Carpet are going down, very fast.
PrueFever's comment: I just love this sequence, from Jasmine's hair, earrings and necklace to Aladdin's great expression on his face! It's just like they're on an amusement park ride.
Image#14: Jasmine, Aladdin & Carpet
Three cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Aladdin: It's a magic carpet.
Number of frames: 23 frames.
Description of the sequence: Jasmine are surprised to see Prince Ali on a magic carpet.
PrueFever's comment: Another fun little sequence. I love how Jasmine and Aladdin and Carpet are animated on different cels. I love on Jasmine are animate on ones and Aladdin and Carpet are animated one twos. Also, I love Jasmine's hair in this sequence.
Image#15: Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Genie (singing): That physique, how can I speak.
Number of frames: 75 frames.
Description of the sequence: Aladdin, disguised as Prince Ali, tries to impress three Harem Girls. Genie blasts him with magic, making him really muscular.
PrueFever's comment: A great sequence of Aladdin where his eyebrows really comes into play. I also love how the animators keep the background moving as Aladdin is on top of Abu.
Image#16: Aladdin
Single cel set-up applied to a matching background.
Quote: Genie (singing): To gawk and grovel and stare.
Number of frames: 28 frames.
Description of the sequence: Aladdin, disguised as Prince Ali, sends a handkiss to the three Harem Girls.
PrueFever's comment: A rather funny sequence of Aladdin here. I love how the animators drew his lips as they depart his hand.
