Alladin is one of my favorite animated Disney films. Much like the protagonist in the triumphant Slumdog Millionaire, the underdog Alladin tricks his nemisis Jafar by appealing to his ambition and succeeds in turning his greed for power into the means of his own self-destruction.
As the all-powerful Obama demands obedience, he’s coming up against his own rhetoric. His own self importance is now getting boxed into a corner. It’s a classic overreach. Obama thinks his 54% of the vote proffered him a glorious mandate, and to heck with the rest.
I will not obey.
JAFAR:
(To Alladin, laughing hideously)
You little fool!
You thought you could defeat the most powerful being on earth!ALADDIN:
The genie! The genie has more power than you’ll ever have!
Face it, Jafar–you’re still just second best!JAFAR:
You’re right! His power does exceed my own! But not for long!
(to Genie) Slave, I make my third wish! I wish to be an all powerful genie!GENIE:
(Reluctantly) All right, your wish is my command.
(aside to Alladin) Nice move Al.JAFAR:
Yes! Yes! The power! The absolute power!
The universe is mine to command, to control!A black lamp appears at JAFAR’s base. JAFAR is busy conjuring.
ALADDIN:
Not so fast, Jafar! Aren’t you forgetting something?
(JAFAR looks down questioningly) You wanted to be a genie, you got it!
And everything that goes with it!Shackles appear on JAFAR’s wrists.
JAFAR:
No! No!IAGO the parrot tries to fly away, but is sucked into the lamp with JAFAR.
ALADDIN:
Phenomenal cosmic powers! Itty bitty living space.GENIE:
Al, you little genius, you!