Okay, settle back into that comfy armchair, maybe imagine the faint hum of a VCR whirring nearby. Remember the thrill of finding a sequel to a beloved Disney classic sitting right there on the rental store shelf? That’s the feeling Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996) conjures up. After the somewhat mixed reception to The Return of Jafar (1994), finding this third installment often felt like discovering a hidden treasure, especially knowing the original Genie was truly back in the lamp… well, out of it, mostly.
### A Royal Wedding Crashed
The film kicks off with the event we’d all been waiting for – the wedding of Aladdin and Jasmine! Agrabah is buzzing, decorations are everywhere, and frankly, expectations were high. But this being Aladdin's life, things rarely go according to plan. Enter the legendary Forty Thieves, crashing the ceremony not for cake, but for a mysterious, all-seeing oracle staff. This explosive opening, orchestrated by director Tad Stones (a key figure behind beloved shows like Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck), immediately sets a grander, more adventurous tone than its direct-to-video predecessor. The stakes feel higher, the action sequences more elaborate, instantly signalling that this wasn't just another cash-in; there was real ambition here.
### The Genie is Outta the Lamp (Again!)
Let's be honest, the biggest news surrounding King of Thieves was the triumphant return of Robin Williams as the Genie. After a well-publicized falling out with Disney over the marketing of the original 1992 masterpiece, Williams had sat out Return of Jafar, with Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson himself!) capably filling the blue boots. But Williams was the Genie, and his absence was felt. His return here is electric. From the moment he bursts back onto the screen, riffing on everything from Mrs. Doubtfire to Forrest Gump, the energy levels skyrocket. It felt like a wrong had been righted. Reportedly, Williams agreed to return for a more modest salary (around $1 million, compared to his usual fees) because he felt he owed it to the character and the animators, provided Disney apologized for the past dispute – which they did. His rapid-fire improvisations are back in full force, reminding us why his performance in the original is considered one of animation's all-time greats. He lands joke after joke, transformation after transformation, bringing that irreplaceable spark back to the series.
### Meeting the King of Thieves
The interrupted wedding sets Aladdin (Scott Weinger, returning with his familiar charm) on a quest driven by the oracle's cryptic message: his father, long thought dead, is alive. This leads him straight to the Forty Thieves and their formidable leader, Cassim, revealed to be Aladdin's estranged dad. Voiced with magnificent gravitas by the legendary John Rhys-Davies (Gimli from Lord of the Rings, Sallah from Indiana Jones), Cassim is a genuinely compelling character. He's not just a villain; he's a man torn between his loyalty to the thieves' code ("the ultimate treasure") and his unexpected connection to the son he never knew. This father-son dynamic gives King of Thieves a surprising emotional weight. Their duet, "Father and Son," might not be Ashman/Menken gold, but it resonates with genuine feeling. Rhys-Davies brings a depth and charisma that elevates the material, making Cassim a memorable addition to the Aladdin lore.
### Direct-to-Video Treasure?
Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, King of Thieves was a flagship title in Disney's booming direct-to-video market of the 90s. While the animation, understandably, doesn't quite match the lavish, theatrical quality of the original 1992 film (working with a smaller budget often meant fewer in-betweens and slightly less fluid character movement), it's a noticeable step up from Return of Jafar. The backgrounds are often rich, the action choreography ambitious, and the character designs remain faithful and expressive. It felt premium for its format. This was a time when Disney DTV sequels were becoming a significant business, and King of Thieves demonstrated they could deliver satisfying narratives and high production values (relative to the medium), paving the way for many more video premieres. It reportedly became one of the best-selling DTV releases of its time, proving the enduring appeal of Agrabah. The musical numbers, while perhaps not as instantly iconic as those from the first film, are generally catchy and serve the story well, particularly "Welcome to the Forty Thieves" and the villainous "Are You In or Out?".
### A Fitting Farewell Ride
For many of us who grew up with these characters, Aladdin and the King of Thieves felt like a proper conclusion. It brought back the key ingredient (Williams), introduced a strong new character dynamic with Cassim, delivered thrilling action, and wrapped up the core story arc with the much-anticipated wedding finally taking place (spoiler alert, I suppose, but come on!). It bridged the gap left by the TV series and provided a sense of closure that Return of Jafar didn't quite manage. While the original Aladdin remains untouchable animation royalty, this third chapter stands tall as one of the best examples of what a Disney direct-to-video sequel could achieve when the stars – particularly the big blue one – aligned. It wasn't just another tape on the shelf; it was a final, fun adventure with characters we'd come to love.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: While it can't replicate the groundbreaking magic or visual splendor of the 1992 original, King of Thieves is a remarkably strong DTV sequel. Robin Williams' return elevates the entire film, John Rhys-Davies creates a memorable new character, and the story offers genuine emotional stakes alongside the expected adventure and humor. The animation is commendable for its format, and it provides a satisfying conclusion to the animated trilogy. It loses points for the inherent limitations of DTV animation and songs that don't quite reach theatrical heights, but it vastly improves upon its direct predecessor.
Final Thought: Finding this tape felt like discovering one last wish granted – a surprisingly heartfelt and entertaining final flight over Agrabah that truly brought the magic home.