(CNN) Chalk it up to modest expectations -- starting with early previews that rubbed people the wrong way -- but "Aladdin" is a great deal of fun, with charming leads and elaborately mounted songs. It's hardly a whole new world, but in this suddenly well-populated land of live-action reboots, makes the most out of its familiar one.

Much of the advance focus was on Will Smith and the blue-ness of it all, but his Genie manages to straddle a line between Robin Williams' irrepressible animated antics and the theatrical Broadway version. Moreover, the filmmakers have come up with a framing device that brings a bit more heart and resonance to the role, and indeed the movie in general.

Beyond that, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, respectively, effectively carry the movie. That includes a notably beefed-up aspect to Jasmine's character, articulated through a powerful new anthem -- from composer Alan Menken and "La La Land's" Benji Pasek and Justin Paul -- that helps render her, as Disney princesses go, anything but a shrinking violet.

Like Tim Burton and "Dumbo," director Guy Ritchie (known for his jittery style in independent films, as well as "Sherlock Holmes") might have seemed like an unorthodox choice to lead this caravan. Yet he infuses the movie with considerable energy, including the ebullient production numbers, which are staged with a bit of Bollywood flair.

Lest anyone have forgotten, the plot involves a good-hearted thief who, enlisted by the Sultan's evil vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) to carry out his nefarious ambitions, winds up in possession of a magic lamp. (Kenzari brings an edge to the role, which provides the movie with some much-needed gravity.)

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