Aladdin: Agrabah's World-Building is Actually Pretty Solid!

Okay, so I know Aladdin (1992) isn't exactly hard sci-fi, but hear me out! As a world-building fanatic, I've gotta give props to the team behind Agrabah. I mean, think about it: it's a bustling port city, clearly influenced by Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, but with its own unique flair. The architecture, the clothing, even the casual magic woven in - it all feels remarkably consistent. I especially love the marketplace scene. The sheer variety of goods and the chaotic energy? Chef's kiss! The scene where Aladdin ducks and weaves through the vendors gives you so much visual information about the city's economy and culture without any clunky exposition. And let's talk about Jafar for a sec. He's a classic Disney villain obsessed with power, blah blah blah, but his control over the palace guard and his use of forbidden magic hints at a deeper, darker history for Agrabah. It implies a past where sorcery was maybe more prevalent, and perhaps the current Sultan is actively suppressing that. THAT'S good world-building, folks! You don't spoon-feed the audience, you just give them little crumbs to chew on and infer. Also, that snake staff is awesome. Of course, the story is fairly simple, with some outdated tropes, and Jasmine's character could have been a bit less damsel-y, even for a '90s movie. I wish they explored the class differences in Agrabah a bit more - like, what's up with the poverty outside the palace walls? But overall, the immersive environment makes Aladdin a fun watch. One thing I never understood: Why does the Genie get these cosmic powers but also needs a lamp? It's always felt like a plot contrivance, and if I was world-building that, I'd have some actual limitations beyond "gotta obey the master"