Following the phenomenal success of the Aladdin Special Edition DVD, Disney has announced plans to release its two direct-to-video sequels on the same disc on Jan. 18. After nearly five years in the Disney vault, Aladdin: The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves will be back on store shelves as the Aladdin II & III Collection.
In Aladdin: The Return of Jafar, our hero and his friends must battle to save the kingdom when Jafar reappears as the world’s most powerful genie. Scott Weinger and Linda Larkin are back as the voices of Aladdin and Jasmine, and Jonathan Freeman returns as the voice of Jafar with Gilbert Gottfried reprising his memorable role of Iago the parrot. Taking over for Robin Williams’ as the genie is Dan Castellaneta, best known as the voice of Homer Simpson in Fox’s long-running primetime animated series.
Extra features will include the Careful What You Wish For Game, in which Jafar twists your wish into something unexpected. There’s also a song selection with pop-up lyrics and a Disneypedia section that teaches viewers about wishing traditions around the world.
Aladdin and the King of Thieves sees Aladdin and Jasmine preparing to tie the knot when the legendary 40 Thieves show up and ransack the royal palace in search of the fabled Hand of Midas. When Aladdin learns that the robbers may be holding his long-lost father, he sets out on another magic carpet ride with Jasmine and Genie in tow. Tony-winning stage and screen star Jerry Orbach (TV’s Law and Order) as the villainous Sa’luk and John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, TV’s Sliders) as Cassim, the King of Thieves.
Among the bonus materials will be two games that ask viewers to explore the thieves’ lair in search of the stolen wedding gifts and help the palace guards track the thieves down. The Behind the Microphone featurette goes behind the scenes with the film’s voice talent and a song selection provides on-screen lyrics for sing-along fun.
The collector’s disc lists for $34.99 and will be available as a two-tape VHS set fir the same price.
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