Aladdin: My Favorite Robin Williams Movie
My Favorite Robin Williams Movie
I have so many favorite Robin Williams movies, but I think picking Disney's Aladdin as my favorite right now is appropriate as I don't have to watch one of my favorite actors in person and be reminded of his tragic death. It is though a part of my family died and I didn't think I would be affected this way.
Battle with Bipolar Disease and Depression
Robin Williams comic genius is unrivaled in the entertainment industry and it's so sad for mental illness and depression to take a person so surrounded by people who loved him.
But bipolar disorder doesn't care and can't acknowledge the outside world. It's an inner battle that often shuts out and shuns the very manic and energetic world he created on stage and screen. It is the down (depression) side he could not conquer. So many famous creative people battle this mental illness, the euphoric highs are so deceptive, it seems everything must be going great you have so much energy can get so much done. But the swing in the other direction is just as severe.
I pray for everyone who struggles with BPD and their families. It is a hard road full of worry.
Growing up with Robin Williams
In the 1970's I grew up watching Mork and Mindy (1978-1982) and have watched every movie he has been in since. Good Morning Vietnam, Jumanji, and The Birdcage are just a couple of my favorite movies, the crazier the better.
Aladdin was released in 1992, right when my oldest son was old enough to appreciate the humor. We must of watched the movie 100 times one summer and had the soundtrack memorized. The movie is timeless and I do believe we wore out the VHS tape. The tradition continued with my youngest kids and it was their favorite movie for the longest time.
Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdin is a prime example of his off the cuff and spontaneous flow of words and phrases that put everyone in stitches. From what I understand the directors had a script, or a vague direction and Robin just improvised, they an extra 16 hours of improvisation to work with when they animated the Genie.
Robin Williams Journey in Movies
As his career matured, and Robin gained control of his drug addiction roles took on more serious tones, such as his role in Being Human. But there was always a spark, just beneath the surface, a twinkle of the eye and the famous Robin Williams smirk that no matter what always make you smile for a little while.
Sometime soon I will have to set aside a day to plan a Robin Williams marathon. He gave the world so much, and will be missed. Rest in peace Robin, may you make the angels laugh the way you made generations on earth last.
The Behind the Scenes Look at Aladdin
By only looking at the behind the scenes footage can you really appreciate the comedic genius of Robin Williams. The hosts of many interviews very often lost control while Robin forged ahead and took over. In some of these interviews the audience didn't know what to expect.
A favorite part of a movie is learning how it's made and the behind the scenes footage. It is interesting to watch animated voice overs of favorite characters.
Memorized the Words to Alladin
My oldest son watched Aladdin so much we had the words memorized, much like the kids today have the songs to Frozen memorized. But that is what makes this movie so endearing. It's the family time together watching a movie then singing together in the car.
I guarantee my kids shed a few tears when they learned of his death and they are in their twenties now. For the next week we searched Netflix and searched out Robin WIlliams movies. We watched Jumanji and Hook, then Mrs Doubtfire.