Semiotic Adaptation: Aladdin (1992) vs Aladdin (2019)

Origin:

Aladdin is a Middle-Eastern folk-tale that has been adapted and retold by Disney as another one of their princess stories. I am not focusing on the adaptation of the original folk-tale to the Disney version, but rather the adaptation of the original Disney animated movie to the newer Disney live-action remake. In the Disney movie Aladdin, Aladdin is a poor boy who is considered a "street rat" and finds himself tricked into a cave and somehow escapes by accidentally summoning a genie from a lamp. With the help of the genie, Aladdin wishes to become a prince so he can impress and eventually wed Princess Jasmine. Aladdin ends up making and breaking promises to both the genie and Jasmine and eventually makes both of them upset with feelings of betrayal. When Jafar, the royal vizier with an evil plan, steals the lamp with the genie to become the world's most powerful sorcerer, Aladdin and Jasmine work together to trick him into becoming a Genie himself. In the end, with Jafar gone and out of the way, Jasmine and Aladdin make up  and Jasmine's father, the Sultan, changes the law so Jasmine doesn't have to marry royalty and can therefore marry Aladdin.

Differences:

The main difference in the original animated version of Aladdin and the new live action remake is the new presence of feminist ideas in the story. There are simple changes such as Princess Jasmine's less revealing, yet still breath taking clothing throughout the movie. There are also additions to the live action movie, such as Princess Jasmine's song "Speechless" which is an anthem about how she will not be silenced by men. There is even a slight change in plot where in the end, Jasmine's father doesn't have to change the law, because Jasmine herself can, as she becomes the Sultan.

Thesis:

In the live action adaptation of Disney's Aladdin, Princess Jasmine's character becomes less of helpless damsel in distress and more of a powerful independent woman. This idea of feminism is supported through several changes in the movie, from clothing changes to plot changes, to completely new additions such as songs or characters.