December 21, 1992 -- ``Aladdin'' is yet another classic cartoon in the proud Disney tradition. It is not quite as good as ``Beauty and the Beast'' but this film is much funnier.

The real star of the show is the genie of the lamp. The voice is provided by Robin Williams, the greatest improvisational comedian of his generation. Williams goes crazy with the character, doing impersonations of Rodney Dangerfield, Jack Nicholson and Ed Sullivan among many others. The artists managed to keep up with Williams' frantic vocal pace by changing the genie's shape and facial expressions just as rapidly.

The combination of William's hilarious schtick and the wonderful cartoon artwork is a real winner. It is very slick and very funny. Also very effective is the voice and artwork behind the parrot sidekick of the villain. There's also a very charming flying carpet and a funny monkey/elephant. It is hard to imagine a rug with personality, but this one has it.

As usual, there are also several musical numbers thrown in for good measure. Aside from one song, the music is not as memorable as the music in ``Beauty and the Beast.'' The love story is also not as effective, but the humor easily makes up for that.

This film, unlike ``Beauty and the Beast'' is a very lighthearted comedy, with little emphasis on dramatic overtones. It is also very contemporary, thanks to the genius of Robin Williams and the excellent artwork. Kids, juveniles and adults all should be able to appreciate the humor and visual quality of this film. It rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.