Aladdin
Disney, 1992
This was THE cartoon of my childhood.
I rewatched the VHS tape (hello, 90s!) countless times. I loved absolutely EVERYTHING about it. And I strongly recommend you give it a rewatch too.
But here’s the thing: it has to be the ONE-VOICE DUB BY MIKHALEV, no exceptions. Otherwise the magic just isn’t there. Or you can go with the original English audio.
I rewatched the VHS tape (hello, 90s!) countless times. I loved absolutely EVERYTHING about it. And I strongly recommend you give it a rewatch too.
But here’s the thing: it has to be the ONE-VOICE DUB BY MIKHALEV, no exceptions. Otherwise the magic just isn’t there. Or you can go with the original English audio.
❤
VHS
rules!
rules!
Of course, as a child, you can't always put your finger on why you love or hate something — a lot of things only come into focus and truly make sense with age.
So, here goes...
So, here goes...
special?
What is it
that makes this one
that makes this one
so
The main character himself — Aladdin, of course!!!
1
This is probably the first Disney cartoon where the hero isn't some delicate princess who's always waiting to be rescued (all those Snow Whites and Cinderellas). Instead, we get a sassy young thief — a "diamond in the rough," a "street rat". A real go-getter who can save himself and is always ready to help others.
In fact, Aladdin is also the first genuinely well-developed male lead in a Disney movie. For one thing, his appearance is radically different from the princes in the earlier films — Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty. I mean, who even remembers the names of those guys? They all look like identical Ken dolls (yes, Barbie's boyfriend — another nod to the 90s).
And secondly, he's not some stiff, perfect, plastic, super-proper prince like all those mentioned above — he's vibrant, alive, full of personality, and with flaws. In short, he actually seems like a real person!
Okay, I know the Beast from Beauty and the Beast is also charismatic, but still — the main character there is Belle.
Okay, I know the Beast from Beauty and the Beast is also charismatic, but still — the main character there is Belle.
Awesome supporting cast
2
CLICK!
And just look at how much love went into creating Princess Jasmine, Genie, Iago the parrot, the main villain Jafar, Aladdin's monkey Abu, the Sultan, and even the wordless Magic Carpet! It's hard to even call them side characters — they all share the screen so perfectly, each one important and delightful in their own way, and each appears at exactly the right moment.
3
When I was a kid, I had no idea that the original voice behind Genie was Robin Williams. I definitely knew who Robin Williams was, though — I absolutely adored him as Mrs. Doubtfire! And what a wonderful surprise it was to learn that he was the one who brought this beloved character to life. Oh, and let's not forget Jumanji !
He's a non-stop explosion of positivity and humor! A feast for the eyes and ears. Genie is basically the one who carries the entire plot — if it weren't for him, Aladdin's adventures would never have happened. The sheer density of magic and humor per minute in this cartoon is off the charts, and back then it felt so fresh and incredibly cool!
And again, if you compare it to all those earlier princess stories — you know, the ones where everything was so stiff, proper, noble, and by-the-book (pretty and "right," sure, but kind of sugary and dull) — then Aladdin was on a completely different level!
It was fast, snappy, full of jokes and playful teasing! When Genie burst onto the screen, my little kid brain just sparkled, crackled, and almost blew a fuse from all the excitement! Pure magic. I hung on every second, every time I watched it. Sure, Beauty and the Beast had a bit more sparkle than the older classics, but with Aladdin the creators just went wild in the best possible way.
It was fast, snappy, full of jokes and playful teasing! When Genie burst onto the screen, my little kid brain just sparkled, crackled, and almost blew a fuse from all the excitement! Pure magic. I hung on every second, every time I watched it. Sure, Beauty and the Beast had a bit more sparkle than the older classics, but with Aladdin the creators just went wild in the best possible way.
Genie
And here's the coolest thing: the single-voice dubs of the 90s kept the original voices in the background, so I got to hear and fall in love with all those performances. And it's no secret that Robin Williams was allowed to improvise freely during Genie's recording sessions. And then, working with everything he'd come up with (and he recorded a whopping 20 hours of it!), they actually matched the animation to his voice. They even modeled Genie's appearance after him!
CLICK!
Click
on Genie!
on Genie!
Alexei Mikhalev
If we're talking about the art of voice-over and dubbing in general, sure, there were some truly excellent multi-voice dubs of some foreign movies — proper literary dubbing by Soviet actors. But I can't compare those with the unofficial single-voice VHS translations. That's like comparing white and triangular — they belong to completely different worlds. Both dubbing and voice-over were wonderful in their own way, and both were a product of their time. I mean, just try to picture Zinovy Gerdt taking part in voicing The Terminator — this is beyond my imagination😅
But I have love for both.
For me, the real flavor, the true voice of the 80s and 90s, the translation of Hollywood films on those pirate tapes — that's all about the single-voice geniuses: Mikhalev, Gavrilov, Volodarsky, as well as Zhivov and Sanayev. That was the very air of those years — the real laugh, some festive spirit and hopes, and even a dash of the forbidden. And those voice-overs gave you that wonderful feeling: "This is how we talk too."
Of course, I should acknowledge that the fact those tapes were pirated — that wasn't a good thing. But back then, Russia didn't really have copyright laws, so the translators technically weren't violating any laws.
And there's one more thing that makes these translations so incredibly awesome: it was live. That was dubbing in real time, often with no prior rehearsal. One person, one voice, having to switch between all the different characters and their emotions. And if it weren't so talented, people wouldn't keep coming back to these voicing versions years later.
But I have love for both.
For me, the real flavor, the true voice of the 80s and 90s, the translation of Hollywood films on those pirate tapes — that's all about the single-voice geniuses: Mikhalev, Gavrilov, Volodarsky, as well as Zhivov and Sanayev. That was the very air of those years — the real laugh, some festive spirit and hopes, and even a dash of the forbidden. And those voice-overs gave you that wonderful feeling: "This is how we talk too."
Of course, I should acknowledge that the fact those tapes were pirated — that wasn't a good thing. But back then, Russia didn't really have copyright laws, so the translators technically weren't violating any laws.
And there's one more thing that makes these translations so incredibly awesome: it was live. That was dubbing in real time, often with no prior rehearsal. One person, one voice, having to switch between all the different characters and their emotions. And if it weren't so talented, people wouldn't keep coming back to these voicing versions years later.
I remember one day, already as an adult, I decided to rewatch Aladdin. I googled it, found somеthing online. I'm sitting there watching, and I realize — I hate it. What did I even love about this movie as a kid? I asked myself. And then it clicked: it was the dub! The version I was watching now had professional multi-voice dubbing — the princess spoke in this proper, sugary feminine little voice that was pure agony to listen to. And the rest of the characters were just as dull and lifeless. As a kid, I'd have hated it. Completely different story — Mikhalev's warm, cozy voice, which even made the villains sound somehow kind. And his voice worked brilliantly for men, women, and children alike.
But wait, there's more. I'm convinced that in real life, Mikhalev was someone with incredible warmth and a killer sense of humor. You just couldn't translate Genie with such wit and energy if you were a stuffy, uninteresting person. And not only that — he didn't give every character the same voice; he seemed to become each character the moment they appeared on screen. For instance, in that scene where the smug, gloating Jafar is confronting a devastated, heartbroken Jasmine, when the chatterbox Iago gets his feathers caught in the door and chimes in — the shift from one voice to another was absolutely masterful and instant!
It was like he was re-performing each character from scratch — through their speech patterns. And if you don't speak English, trust me — he fully delivered the emotion of the original. He must have had an incredibly sensitive ear for tone, for emotional shading, for the rhythm of how people speak. Which is only natural, since he was a trained simultaneous interpreter and worked in that field. But catching all of that is one thing — actually ACTING it out is another. And that's where the magic lay. His lightning-fast ability to transplant the original dialogue into natural, spoken Russian still fills me with awe. It was real, living language — the kind people actually used around us, with "toka" instead of "tol'ko," with "nifiga," and other such playful colloquialisms that never sounded jarring. All the little "well"s, the pauses, the interjections, and even, it seems, sighs — it was all there.
Ах, Ал…
Я даже к тебе как-то привязался, малыш. Ну, не думай, конечно, что я буду там за тебя в прачечную ходить или еще что-нибудь в этом духе.
Я даже к тебе как-то привязался, малыш. Ну, не думай, конечно, что я буду там за тебя в прачечную ходить или еще что-нибудь в этом духе.
Да как вы смеете?
Как вы все смеете?
Стоите тут и решаете за меня моё будущее! Между прочим, я не та премия, которая достаётся
кому-то там!
Как вы все смеете?
Стоите тут и решаете за меня моё будущее! Между прочим, я не та премия, которая достаётся
кому-то там!
Быстро, быстро, быстро! Загадай какое-нибудь такое возмутительное желание! Скажи: «Хочу, чтобы
у моих ног тёк Нил!»
у моих ног тёк Нил!»
Хочу, чтобы
у моих ног тёк Нил!
у моих ног тёк Нил!
And here's a funny thing — as a kid, I always misheard that line. I genuinely thought the outrageous wish was "I want my NOK-TOK-NIL" 😅 And that actually kind of fit into my worldview 🤣
Нифига!
Нифига!
Нифига!
We've already touched on how much Alexei Mikhalev's translation meant for this movie. But let's dive deeper 😊 Oh, it's absolutely worth it. If you've never experienced his voice-over work, drop everything and hunt down friends who still have a working VCR and some old tapes — or just search online for movies dubbed by Mikhalev. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! Some of his translations are pure genius, no exaggeration whatsoever.
4
How did he even manage to string words together so brilliantly? 😊 In the original, by the way, it was just the "rear end" of a horse — but Mikhalev translated it so perfectly and aptly. A real slap in the face to that arrogant Prince Ahmed.
Mikhalev's voice-overs are also remarkable for his enormous vocabulary and broad knowledge — something you only fully appreciate with age. His work gave us so many memorable gems (in Aladdin alone, I still crack up at "Mustafa the Unbeliever"), and his approach to swearing is practically an art form. Of course, Aladdin is a kids' movie, so there was no heavy cursing, but come on — we all know those VHS voice-over translators loved to throw in spicy stuff. And Mikhalev definitely didn't shy away from strong language in his other film work, but he always had an excellent sense of measure. Nothing too harsh ever made it in, at least in my book. And besides, he rendered curses so creatively that it was almost a pleasure to listen to. It never felt vulgar — it was more funny than anything, and thanks to his wonderful voice, it all came across as oddly good-natured. For instance, I've always loved the argument between Rick and Mary-Ann in Bird on a Wire with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn.
And just think — everything was recorded on the fly, right there and then 😱 The technical possibility to redo or fix something did exist, but it was a complicated process that required specialized equipment — this wasn't an era where everyone was their own director with a dozen video apps on their phone or computer. Smartphones as we know them didn't exist. Computers — well, some people had them, but only the really rich. And comparing a computer from back then to one now? It's like night and day. Even if a voice-over translator had one, it would have been about as useful as a paperweight. The internet as we know it? Didn't exist. And there was no translation team — it was all down to one person. So during the process, you had only yourself to count on — your memory, your instincts, your experience. That's where the occasional slip came from, but also the wonderfully creative touches in the translations — and that's exactly why we love them. For me, that kind of work is pure adrenaline. As for re-recording botched takes — as I said before, technically it was possible, but in practice it almost never happened. Because these were pirate tapes. Speed was the priority — get the film translated, get the tapes out. Nobody was chasing perfection. It was a massive, very profitable business. And having your own copy of a favorite movie to watch anytime you wanted? That was fantastic! Because you didn't hold your breath waiting for that to come on TV (if it ever did!). Writing this now, I can barely believe that's how it actually was.
And a huge, genuine thank you to Alexei Mikhalev for only translating the beginning of the songs or small bits — and leaving the rest in the original.
Yes, it was English, and no, we didn't understand a word, but we all listen to songs in foreign languages without always knowing what they're about — and that doesn't stop us from enjoying them. Professional multi-voice dubbing kills the magic entirely. And besides, the choruses repeated so much that once you had the translation at the start, you already knew what they were getting at. And you just had to sing along — even if you were butchering the pronunciation.
Yes, it was English, and no, we didn't understand a word, but we all listen to songs in foreign languages without always knowing what they're about — and that doesn't stop us from enjoying them. Professional multi-voice dubbing kills the magic entirely. And besides, the choruses repeated so much that once you had the translation at the start, you already knew what they were getting at. And you just had to sing along — even if you were butchering the pronunciation.
Every single song here is instantly recognizable and dearly loved. Like I said — an amazing cartoon. There isn't a single one you'd want to skip. And, of course, as a little girl, I absolutely adored "A Whole New World," sung by Aladdin and Jasmine on their first date.
Soundtrack
5
Not that she was the very first "feisty" princess who went against her family's will — Ariel the little mermaid also disobeyed her father and ran away, or rather swam away, from home. But Jasmine is genuinely headstrong, and she's not afraid to show it, sometimes quite fiercely — she always has a comeback ready. While Ariel was this dreamy, naive girl who foolishly trusted a sea witch, Jasmine is anything but gullible. And let's not forget — she has a pet tiger instead of a cat. That alone always earned my respect.
In my opinion, Jasmine had just one flaw — she didn't have a ball gown. As a little girl, that was a big deal to me. But other than that, of course, I really wanted to be like her. I adored her hairstyle, her hair, that jeweled headband — and she was simply stunning.
Now, looking back, I realize I also love her bravery and determination, and honestly, her intelligence too. She's probably the first Disney princess who actually uses her head — and isn't about to marry the first prince who shows up. And she might also be the first (the only one?) to seduce the villain to save the man she loves.
Now, looking back, I realize I also love her bravery and determination, and honestly, her intelligence too. She's probably the first Disney princess who actually uses her head — and isn't about to marry the first prince who shows up. And she might also be the first (the only one?) to seduce the villain to save the man she loves.
Who needs a ball gown anyway? Pants make it so much easier to sneak over walls 😁
VS
dreamy and gullible
selective and always stands up for herself
Disney's First
Rebel Princesses
Rebel Princesses
Disney's First
Rebel Princesses
Rebel Princesses
Jasmine
6
7
Who disturbs my slumber?
Click on the Cave of Wonders!
It's a hand-drawn cartoon.
Care to find out what happens if you touch anything but the lamp?
Click on the gem and find out!
Yes, there was some computer animation used here and there — like in Aladdin's flight through the Cave of Wonders, or when they painted the pattern onto the Magic Carpet — but at its core, it's a hand-drawn film. Look at the characters' facial expressions, the way the coins gleam in the Cave, the richness of the colors. Oh my God, the time, the money, the sheer amount of work that went into it. Not to mention imagination and love. Modern CGI cartoons just don't have that charm — they all start to look the same to me. Something made by hand, and as masterfully as Aladdin was, carries — at least in my opinion — a wildly vibrant, almost electric energy.
That grumpy, motormouthed parrot Iago — Jafar's henchman — was clearly a bad guy, but you just couldn't look away from him. Like Genie, he was a constant source of comic gold. And I'll be honest — the older I get, the more I love him, because he increasingly reminds me of myself when I'm annoyed. Imagine that — as a kid, you dream of being Jasmine... and then you grow up and realize you've become Iago 😅 But to give him credit — underneath all that noise and feathers, that little shit loudmouth actually had a big, warm heart 💖 In the second Aladdin movie, he redeems himself and joins the good side. And even then, he never loses his practicality or his sarcastic edge.
8
Iago
Слушай, наплевать! Вот посмотри на него, посмотри!
Мы никогда, никогда не раздобудем эту дурацкую лампу!
Мне всё так надоело!..
У меня просто мозги плавятся!!!
У меня просто мозги плавятся!!!
Нет, это невероятно!
Это чёрт-те что!
Это чёрт-те что!
Freedom
9
Click on the lamp and free Genie!
One moment in this movie that has always been special to me is Genie's release — and the fact that Aladdin actually kept his promise. Those shackles falling away, and Genie, finally free, can barely believe it. He almost seems unsure what to do with his freedom at first — and then he starts frantically packing his suitcase. Nothing particularly spectacular, maybe, but it was the happiest moment for me too.
As it turns out — it was
Tom Cruise!
I'd never have guessed it, especially since Tom Cruise movies completely passed me by in my childhood. I only saw them for the first time as an adult. And when I found this out — oh my God, everything clicked! They really do look alike. And that ending, where Aladdin returns to the palace to fix everything with style — isn't that just Mission: Impossible with a magic carpet?
Tom Cruise!
I'd never have guessed it, especially since Tom Cruise movies completely passed me by in my childhood. I only saw them for the first time as an adult. And when I found this out — oh my God, everything clicked! They really do look alike. And that ending, where Aladdin returns to the palace to fix everything with style — isn't that just Mission: Impossible with a magic carpet?
And finally —
the cherry on top
the cherry on top
Who did they model Aladdin after?
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
🍒
Click on the CHERRIES!
🤩
🤩
10
