#saluk

[disneyvillainsdaily]

Sa'luk - Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)

[welcometothefourtythieves]

meme drawing :D

[bottlepiecemuses]

Are You In Or Out? Wano Edition

This situation really reminded me of that song. And seriously, Jerry Orbach (who also voice Lumiere) would have been perfect for the role of Kaido. Well, except for the fact that Orochi was never the man that Cassim was, it’s pretty spot on with this scenario. 

[mrjoelgarcia9]

Let’s Talk #Disney’s #Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Following the conclusion of the Aladdin TV series, Disney released a second direct-to-video sequel which served as the animated franchise’s finale.

For a review of Disney’s Aladdin and the King of Thieves, feel free to keep reading. There will be spoilers.

The film begins with a mysterious figure leading camels carrying baskets towards Agrabah, presenting them as gifts for Princess Jasmine and Aladdin’s wedding. As this occurs, Aladdin tells Genie about his supposed late father. As the wedding begins, the forty thieves attack. While everyone else fights them, Aladdin confronts their leader. After the thieves retreat, he finds out they wanted a staff containing an oracle who could lead them to a treasure. The oracle also tells Aladdin his father is alive and with the thieves.

This film is not only better than The Return of Jafar but also one of Disney’s few good direct-to-video sequels.

The biggest thing to note about it is Robin Williams reprising the role of Genie after having resolved his conflict with Disney. He brings back the comedic charm Genie lacked in the previous sequel. Like in the first film, Williams references several pop culture characters such as Walter Cronkite, Pumbaa from The Lion King, and even his previous film role of Mrs. Doubtfire. His performance helps make the film more than just a cheap direct-to-video movie.

This film can be seen without having watched either The Return of Jafar or the TV series, since none of the characters introduced in those productions are involved with the story, although some from the latter appear in cameos during the wedding. Additionally, when Genie mentions Jafar in the opening song, it can be interpreted as a reference to either the first or second film.

The plot is very straightforward, with Aladdin having to confront the Forty Thieves just as he is about to get married. With a few more improvements, such as developing the titular thieves and the climax’s pacing, this could have worked as a theatrical feature.

Two major characters were introduced in the film: Aladdin’s long-lost father Cassim and antagonist Sa’luk.

The revelation of Aladdin’s father being alive is rare for a Disney film. Normally, when the protagonist’s parents do not appear at the start of the story, it is heavily implied they are dead. This film, on the other hand, reveals his father to be alive and leading the Forty Thieves. Cassim is shown to be conflicted by trying to be the father he never was to Aladdin while still wanting to find the treasure he spent most of his life looking for. 

Sa’luk is a breath of fresh air in comparison to Jafar and the TV show’s villains. Rather than use magic, he uses strength and intimidation to challenge Cassim and seize control of the thieves. Jerry Orbach’s performance helps make the character more than just a forgettable villain, although at some points he sounds like an evil Lumiere.

The Forty Thieves were bland and generic henchmen who barely contribute anything to the film. Additionally. their involvement contradicts the opening line of “Friend Like Me”, in which Genie references Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, although it could be waived off as just another one of his many references.

The animation improved for this final outing. While still not as bright and colorful as the first film, it was far superior to The Return of Jafar. There is a night and day difference between the sequels. An effort to make it look great can especially be seen during Genie’s scenes and the climax. It still had a coloring issue but now looked more like a proper film and not just a TV episode.

The music similarly improved. “There’s a Party Here in Agrabah” sets up the film and reintroduces Williams’ Genie. “Welcome To The Forty Thieves” is catchy, especially if you watched this film’s trailer on one of many Disney VHS tapes. “Father and Son” is yet another fun performance from Williams. The ending reprisal of “Arabian Nights” bookends the film trilogy.

The only other thing to note is Disney’s 2016 Blu-ray release of the film sold alongside The Return of Jafar as a “2 Movie Collection” Disney Movie Club exclusive. The films are presented in 16:9 widescreen even though they were originally animated and distributed in 4:3 full screen. This also extends to their respective 2016 DVDs, current digital versions, and modern TV airings.

It is sad to see this film’s HD releases are only available in a cropped format. There are moments where characters look like they are either in extreme closeups or cut off by the top and bottom of the screen. It is especially obvious during the Oracle’s appearances and a sequence in the song “Father and Son” when Genie references The Brady Bunch.

The only ways to watch the film in its original aspect ratio are on the 1996 VHS and Laserdisc releases. Unlike The Return of Jafar, this film’s 2005 DVD was presented in a similar cropped format.

Aladdin and the King of Thieves is a good conclusion to the animated Aladdin franchise. It has a good story, great new characters, and is the rare good direct-to-video sequel from Disney.

Whether you only like the first film or the complete franchise, this sequel is worth watching and comes Recommended.

Aladdin and the King of Thieves is available to own on Blu-ray and Digital. The original aspect ratio is only available on VHS and Laserdisc.

Until next time, thank you for reading!

[the-one-and-only-valkyrie]

As much as I would adore a live action adaptation of King of Thieves, how on earth would they cast Saluk? I mean, the guy has gray skin. Is that supposed to be some kind of medical condition? Is he supposed to be an alien from outer space? His name is Turko-Persian apparently, but to my knowledge, neither Turks nor Persians have gray skin. I am left with nothing but questions

[silyabeeodess]

Villains in the CH style Anon Request: Pt. 1

Grimhilde, being the narcissistic person that she is, likely would’ve traded her soul for eternal youth and beauty that was above everyone else’s. Of course, if the Devil were to just hand out immortality to people--if he could even really do that--he’d likely have a lot of trouble claiming the souls of his debtors, so rather than her being unkillable, she’d be an ageless human being.  The mirror acted as her insurance to remain “the most beautiful of all,” but really was just crafted to continue to feed her ego until the right moment.

(I swear, this man’s got arms that are so skinny that they could be used as toothpicks...) With his defeat at Aladdin’s hands, Jafar turned to the Devil to restore his freedom and human form, as well as his powers--only this time not merely limited when he has his staff.  Most of his powers are poison or serpent based: Transforming into a giant snake, power over snakes, hypnotism, an acid/poisonous bite, etc.  Also his staff has it’s own consciousness.

Sa’Luk was brought back to life in his gold form, and given how he was already bound for Hell, the Devil struck a deal with him to use him as the leading muscle of a gang of bounty hunters rather than toss him in the Pit.  Beyond him still maintaining his strength, the Hand of Midas not only affected his body to turn it into gold, but also transferred part of its magic to him in order to allow him to turn others to gold (like with Cala Maria’s stone gaze).  This power, however, is limited depending on the will of the person it is used against, and therefore a person can break free from it. 

Judge Doom’s contract really became more of a curse than anything.  He wanted to be taken seriously as a man of logic with big plans to succeed in life, however, kept on being dismissed over the fact that he was a toon.  He never felt belonged with them--he hated them for their antics and doubly being a target for them because he wasn’t as wild or wacky and was easy to get a funny reaction out of.  He traded his soul to essentially become “normal” so he could move on with his life, but ended up creating a split personality.  So he’s got essentially two, dark voices in his head: The greedy, but calculating man of logic and the crazed, unpredictable toon that knows how to pull a wild card.

I don’t think Oogie Boogie would trade his soul easily, or feel that he’d have much of a reason too since he thinks too much of himself, but I do think he’d try to cheat the Devil at the casino.  And pay for it in spades.  He’d end up getting caught pretty quickly and get his butt hunted down.  

[welcometothefourtythieves]

Saluk thief Nummer two.

[welcometothefourtythieves]

Wanted to draw this meme so much, here it is as messy sketch.