(Welcome to
Out of the Disney Vault, where we explore the unsung gems and forgotten disasters currently streaming on Disney+.)
Before Disney started producing endless remakes of its classic animated films and dumping some of them on Disney+ (ahem,
Lady and the Tramp), they used to make endless sequels to classic animated films and dump them on VHS.
There have been dozens of direct-to-video (DTV) animated sequels – nearly 60 if you include the films made out of TV episodes and those that debuted on the Disney Channel. Some were good, most were bad, and a few, like
Aladdin and the King of Thieves, were almost better than the original. This is a sequel that expands the world and mythology of the first film with a catchy soundtrack that feels like it belongs in the theatrical film. And it’s about time we recognize Aladdin’s dad as one of the coolest and hottest Disney characters around.