There is a lot to like about the 'Faerie Tale Theatre' series. Many of their adaptations of various well-known and well-loved fairy tales are charming, clever and sometimes funny, a few even emotionally moving. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin (whether playing for laughs or straight) on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories, while also giving further enjoyments in seeing talented performers in early roles or in roles that are departures from their usual roles.
Notable for being directed by none other than Tim Burton very early on in his career, style-wise and directorially "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp" is somewhat of an atypical effort for him, as far as other early (early-mid-80s) 'Vincent' and 'Frankenweenie' are more typical of the Burton one is familiar with. "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp" is not one of his best and is not quite one of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' gems, but it is a lot of fun to watch and has some interest value. Despite being on atypical form, Burton does do a great job with the directing, making the episode as fun and charming as possible, especially considering the time and budget constraints he was under.
Robert Carradine for my tastes does play Aladdin as too much of a hammy buffoon, and while he does share good chemistry with Valerie Bertinelli the romantic elements are not where "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp" is at its most interesting, being somewhat more of a plot device.
The low budget also does show at times, not in the colourful costumes (especially the quite elaborate one for the villain which is like a character of its own) but more in the slightly too drab sets that do lack a sense of wonder.
Music is fitting to the setting and is rousing in some places and lush in others, though nothing as unforgettable as the music in Disney's 1992 version. Which on its own merits is better, but this is much more faithful to the original Arabian Nights story while adding its own additions which add rather than distract. Then again 'Faerie Tale Theatre' were always far more faithful treatments of the stories they were adapted from than their Disney counterparts.
Writing is funny and charming, especially with the character of the genie, and the story does have the sense of wonder and danger that some of the production values lack.
Performances are mostly of a good standard, apart from Carradine. Valerie Bertinelli is a luminous Princess, however it's Leonard Nimoy's menacing and gleefully enjoyable villain and particularly James Earl Jones' hilarious and appealingly boisterous Genie who steal the show seamlessly.
All in all, a worthy and entertaining charmer that is well worth watching for Nimoy and Jones, as well as to see how well Burton fares early on in his career which is quite well considering. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Notable for being directed by none other than Tim Burton very early on in his career, style-wise and directorially "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp" is somewhat of an atypical effort for him, as far as other early (early-mid-80s) 'Vincent' and 'Frankenweenie' are more typical of the Burton one is familiar with. "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp" is not one of his best and is not quite one of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' gems, but it is a lot of fun to watch and has some interest value. Despite being on atypical form, Burton does do a great job with the directing, making the episode as fun and charming as possible, especially considering the time and budget constraints he was under.
Robert Carradine for my tastes does play Aladdin as too much of a hammy buffoon, and while he does share good chemistry with Valerie Bertinelli the romantic elements are not where "Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp" is at its most interesting, being somewhat more of a plot device.
The low budget also does show at times, not in the colourful costumes (especially the quite elaborate one for the villain which is like a character of its own) but more in the slightly too drab sets that do lack a sense of wonder.
Music is fitting to the setting and is rousing in some places and lush in others, though nothing as unforgettable as the music in Disney's 1992 version. Which on its own merits is better, but this is much more faithful to the original Arabian Nights story while adding its own additions which add rather than distract. Then again 'Faerie Tale Theatre' were always far more faithful treatments of the stories they were adapted from than their Disney counterparts.
Writing is funny and charming, especially with the character of the genie, and the story does have the sense of wonder and danger that some of the production values lack.
Performances are mostly of a good standard, apart from Carradine. Valerie Bertinelli is a luminous Princess, however it's Leonard Nimoy's menacing and gleefully enjoyable villain and particularly James Earl Jones' hilarious and appealingly boisterous Genie who steal the show seamlessly.
All in all, a worthy and entertaining charmer that is well worth watching for Nimoy and Jones, as well as to see how well Burton fares early on in his career which is quite well considering. 8/10 Bethany Cox