It was a risk that Disney knew would generate pushback from its fans. After all, Robin Williams’ voice work as Genie, which felt very much like fully-fleshed physical work as well, despite the animated constrictions, should be considered the greatest voicework in the history of animation. It’s not even close. Williams was already a brilliant, live-wire comedic performer when he decided to tackle the Genie in 1992’s “Aladdin”, but there’s no film that better captured Williams’ spirit and energy than his voice-over work in that movie. It felt like improvisation, and, based on some first-hand accounts, it seems like some of it was, which is unheard of in animation.

Robin Williams' take on the Genie in 1992's "Aladdin" is a legendary voice performance. So full of the rich humor and sardonic wit we came to expect from the late great Williams. We all knew it was going to be a frustrating process to find someone to play that role in the live-action Disney remake. However, Will Smith? Really? That’s the best you could come up with to replace what is the best voice acting performance in Disney animated history? I’m all open for Smith to wow me, but I would have probably gone with Eddie Murphy instead. This is a safe, cozy project for Director Guy Ritchie, the filmmaker behind the Tarantino-inspired films of the late ‘90s/early aughts, “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch."