"The Return of Jafar" - The TV Pilot Cheapquel That Started The Ever Loathed Trend of Cheapquels That Lasted Over a Decade

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies. 

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I'm hiding because I want to surprise :)

Before The Lion King ever took the place as the true Renaissance King (yes, this pun was intended, guys), Aladdin was the true King of the Disney Renaissance at the time. It managed to maintain it's position one year and seven months before Lion King took it's spot. Since the Thanksgiving slot of 1993 happened to be not given to the annual Disney animated feature (though Lion King was originally headed for that slot and was released the following summer).

No, they ain't
my children :)

Of course by discussing Aladdin`s success, it was mainly because of Robin Williams as the Genie. But regardless of this aforementioned discussed issue, it wasn't strange that Disney decided to make Aladdin into a brand/franchise, nonetheless. Of course Aladdin wasn't the first of the Renaissance Properties to actually become one. Since The Little Mermaid was given it's own series released the same year as Aladdin. But at least Aladdin happened to have the (dis)honor of being the very first Disney movie to ever receive an Direct to Video cheapquel. Which happens to have it's 15th Anniversary when this entry was written.

The Genesis of the Project and it`s Reception

Yes, this mist makes
me scared :) Even me :)

Since this entry was written in midst of phase of Disney embracing
sequels fullheartedly (at least for a while, since there haven't been any sequels announced after Frozen II), we'll have to remember that the fate of a Disney sequel used to be a very glum and unfortunate one. The Rescuers Down Under had unfortunately underperformed theatrically. So the pure idea of a sequel was not a foolproof one (even Michael Eisner and Peter Schneider were skeptical about the idea of a Disney sequel nonetheless. For diminishing the quality of the classics). 

Beware, I'll turn into a
mouth and eat ya :)

I can't stop this fire, the
lightning made my fingers
stuck into a web :)

The Return of Jafar would start the trend of cheapquels that would last almost for 15 years. It would be tempting to solely blame Aladdin for starting that trend. And while I guess that would be fair, we'll have to remember that Aladdin just happened to be the chosen one to receive a cheapquel. It's not as Aladdin is deliberately to blame for even started the trend. since it could've happened to every property that would've been a hit.

However, no matter how much naysayers likes to despise this, The Return of Jafar became a hit. It made more than $100 million domestically and was made for about $3.5 million (it even out-paced the early video sales of two current Disney VHS releases, The Fox and the Hound and Pinocchio).  
At the time it was among the 15 top-selling videos of all time (and sorry haters, it was more profitable than the studio’s top-grossing, live-action movie, Pretty Woman). So no wonder that it actually was the very genesis of the much loathed cheapquel phase that's now ancient history. 

You're my hologram :)

No matter how naysayers loathes this, the course of the video industry changed. The crew for Jafar was divided between Disney's Australian and Japanese studio. The first half was animated in Australia, while the climax was animated in Japan. During production, Jeffrey Katzenberg realized what a good job the Australia studio was doing with the first half. But there was a sequence that didn't move the story, it was just there for fun and it got cut out. Suddenly Japan did more than Australia. The climax was all made in Japan and it didn't have the punch of the earlier stuff and it was considered weak because of that. 

No, there haven't been
many returns :)

The sequence that eventually sold Katzenberg was a very romantic footage with Arabian Nights playing under it. Which convinced him that it looked good, but decided to give in for the quickness of the cheapquel production.  
Layout artist Paul Felix was responsible for that it even got a VHS release. He sketched the opening of a band of thieves galloping across the desert toward this little crack in a mountain, which was their hideout. Katzenberg called things out without stopping at the screening. 

But of course the reason to churn out a cheapquel to Aladdin was to milk the franchise while it was still relevant and new. Apparently the idea received support from the entire Disney company, according to then-president of Buena Vista Home Video, Anne Daly. Disney created a separate banner to serve the home video market at the time, Walt Disney Home Video Presents.

The Overall Reputation of The Return of Jafar & My Own Personal History With It

There aren't so many
good ones from us :)

Even the mere discussion of a Disney cheapquel is a true minefield, due to their overall bad staple. Those times I've actually dared to make entries about some of them, has been whether they've been worth to analyze in their own terms. Or if they've happened to have a fate of being regarded superiorly to their counterparts (cough, The Lion King cheapquels, cough).

The fate of The Return of Jafar just happens to be that it's the very first one. But that doesn't make it's reputation any different than it's followers. While there is a certain affection for Jafar, it's still regarded in the same manner as it's cheapquel counterparts: For being bad (while it's rumored that Jafar helped to take the stigma off the low-quality brands, the stigma has still always been prominent to these products, nonetheless).

No, I don't want your
old man on our date :)

As for me, being the avid Disney fan that I've always been, I remember not being repulsed that Aladdin was going to receive a sequel (despite that I've would've wanted something that was akin to a theatrical product). 
I remember receiving my VHS copy at the age of 10 in the spring of 1995 (Norwegian releases happened to occurr later than Domestic releases). And liking the movie well enough and giving it several re-watches. However, eventually I grew out my phase of re-watching it. And growing older and becoming more reflective, I've eventually grew up to realize that Jafar wasn't particularly good, just a year after receiving it. And I never watched it until becoming a Disney-loving adult again.

I want to show that my
finger can be dangerous :)

So how does the movie hold up through an personal and analytical adult point of view? Well, aside from childhood nostalgia, Jafar may not end up being particularly great. But it's not the very worst of the bunch (in my opinion). It's watchable and engaging enough, while it's far from the leagues of it's predecessor. Yet Jafar would be outshined and suprassed by it's follower in Aladdin & The King of Thieves two years later. Which just happened to be a better movie for being overall more substantial and mature. 

The Pilot for the Aladdin Series

The Return of Jafar is interesting to examinate. Because it serves as a pilot for the Aladdin series (despite having seen the movie unaware of the knowlegde of it's pilot position and it's upcoming series).
It's pilot connection is not just a sheer coincidence. Since it was produced by Walt Disney Television Animation (yet it was always meant for an Home Video release, Hollywood Reporter claimed that Jafar was at the end shaped as a TV movie. With it's several fade-to-blacks, a TV technique to lead into commercials and that home video was an afterthought. Which aforementioned Daly has denied). Still sources claims that it was initially conceived as a TV movie, nonetheless.

Yes, I've never seen a human
female in love before :)

We're acting like
we were in a
jungle :)

Originally Disney weren't interested to do a sequel for Aladdin prior to it's success. Yet Tad Stones was working on it and suggested it to Disney and also that it could be released prior to the airing of the show. However, unlike the series, Jafar was shaped to be a full-fletched musical.

This is essentially what differentiates the Aladdin series and Jafar. But also differentiates the Aladdin series from the Mermaid series. Which at least happened to include songs. As for the songs of Jafar themselves, they're adequate enough, without being particularly great or memorable. But at least Jafar manages to keep the musical themes from the predecessor to make it familiar to moviegoers.

The True Protagonist of The Movie

The Return of Jafar pretty much lives up to it's title, since it pretty much centers about it's titular villain's return and revenge. To have the villain returning in the sequel is after all fair, due to how Jafar was never actually killed in the the first movie (while this movie actually kills him). However, it's title at the end becomes somewhat misleading, since the true protagonist is Iago. Since the story is particularly made to intergrate him to the rest of the Squad (the choice to even have Iago was a conscious one. Since screenwriter Tad Stones adored him). A title considered for Jafar (which was changed very late into its development) was Iago Returns. But it was decided that The Return of Jafar was a better title.

My look is sexy,
isn't it? :)

Yes, I'm going to pick your
bone prior to killing you :)

However, while Iago eventually ventures to the good side and has a clear arc of his own, he still becomes selfish and callous at the very end. And doesn`t even change in the series (despite having his kind moments in Thieves). Otherwise, what's remarkable is besides being a pilot for the series, it's pretty sparse with introducing new characters. The only one happens to be Abis Mal (voiced by Jason Alexander, who would voice a certain "beloved" Gargoyle from the upcoming The Hunchback of Notre Dame. And yes, note the mandatory sarcasm and no offence to Alexander). Who actually becomes a pretty pivotal character in the series. Yet what's remarkable is how loathed he's by his own minions, which happens to be quite rare for an antagonist.

The Rest of the Plot & The Change of Genie`s Voice Actor

Otherwise, there's really not much to say about The Return of Jafar.

The plot really revolves around Jafar's titular return. As well as Iago's redemption, The rest of the plot just comes across as filler to fill in the gaps. However, due to that most of the aforementioned musical cues from the predecessor are in, Jafar manages to feel like it's predecessor. Just as an inferior copy (don't hate me for this, guys).

But at least for the differences and similarities, at least Jafar manages to be a little darker than it's predecessor. As proven by it's dramatic, climatic scenes (in fact, while most of you would hate me for this, the execution of Aladdin is a predecessor of John Smith's execution in Pocahontas. Regardless of how it's a small cue, it's still a reminiscent one).

Rihanna would've loved
me now :)

What a relief to get rid
of these heavy things :)

However, what Jafar is truly known, is the famous and public absence of Robin Williams as the Genie. This issue has of course been discussed to death in my previous entries and by the media. But regardless of this, perhaps Dan Castellaneta wouldn't be the worst replacer for Genie (don't hate me for this, guys, despite how some people truly loathed his performance). Williams personally participated in selecting Castellaneta. And while I course personally prefer Williams, it's not as Castellaneta has tarnished Genie completely (for me). 

We're doing the bell dance :)

However, Castellaneta would voice the character in the series. And no matter how you would dislike him, at least Robin Williams came back in Aladdin & The King of Thieves. Which makes it a full circle (Dan was told to not do a Williams impression. And found a Williams-ish type voice that was gangbusters on its own). Genie's laugh when being a jack in the box as a joke played on Iago was a joke taken on the way Krusty the Clown's laugh sounded in The Simpsons. Genie's animator Eric Goldberg didn't like the new portrayal of the Genie in this movie, as he felt he was too clown-like.

Speaking of voice casting, Jafar was also the first Aladdin full-length production without the original voice of Sultan, Douglas Seale. He was replaced by Val Bettin. There's no record for why it eventually happened, but Seale unfortunately died in 1999.

The Similarities with Aladdin & Controversy

Osiris is going to envy us :)

As for the rest of the film itself, no matter how you'll loathe me for saying this, it's shaped to be reminiscent of it's predecessor. It begins with the Arabian Nights song (the lyrics to this version were lifted from the original demo of the song). Abu is still having his habbit of stealing. Jasmine and Aladdin have their big fight where Aladdin is once again being confronted of being a liar. Razoul is still resenting Aladdin, while Genie still appears in the middle of the movie. And still does his anachronisms. 

I shouldn't have painted it
black :) So it wouldn`t have
been mad at me :)

However, at least Aladdin gets a closure with Rajah, while Abu and the Carpet gets along. Originally Jafar was going to turn into a giant cobra snake like in the first Aladdin. But the idea was scrapped, since the producers wanted a different sort of showdown. In the first film, the pattern design for Carpet was very detailed. Most likely due to the daunting task of animating something so elaborate. So his design was simplified for this and Aladdin & The King of Thieves (and the animated series).

While the series was more praised than Jafar, it manages to have it's same tone and feel as Jafar (at least in my opinion, while it's quite controversial for me to say it). As well as keeping the same musical cues. Which really ties the movie and the series together.

However, Jafar hasn't escaped controversy. A tagline on an preview cassette sent to retailers read: “The Story Continues . . . and So Do the Profits!” (while there's little informtion about it otherwise). But despite being a chepaquel, Jafar even ended up being on the famous Disney Vault, before actually becoming available again. Alongside with other cheapquels. It`s also the only direct-to-video film copyrighted to The Walt Disney Company instead of Disney Enterprises, Inc. Since the Disney Studio changed its name from The Walt Disney Company to Disney Enterprises, Inc. in the copyright notices as of 1996.

Never give me more Diamonds
again :) It makes me crosseyed :)

Don't get used it, I usually
never hug others :)

Probably not known to most people, Disney had actually made subtle alterations to Jafar's death scene when the movie was released in DVD. In the original VHS release, his skeleton is seen rapidly flashing from his body. In the DVD release, it`s the same animation only half of the flashes had been removed. Possible reasons behind this edit could be due to the differences in frame-rate of VHS and DVD formats. Or the rapid flashes in the scene which could cause epilepsy in some viewers. Which is edited out of respect following the infamous Electric Soldier Porygon incident from 1997.

Spinoff-Content of The Return of Jafar

We're planning a
huge welcome :)

My jealousy of Al
makes me want to
destroy him :)

Regarding the spinoff content of The Return of Jafar, when Disney was publishing their own comics in the mid-90s, they produced a two issue Aladdin comic. Presenting an alternate version of The Return of Jafar. Which was titled The Return of Aladdin. The comic is introduced by the Merchant from the first film (who of course was the Genie). The story starts off showing that Aladdin has been particularly bored of palace life. Meanwhile, Jafar has escaped the Cave of Wonders. Iago is given the task of finding the right master for Jafar to manipulate. Their search seems hopeless as some people are able to enjoy all three wishes or messing up. They find someone to use the lamp, who is known as Isabella, a master magician. Isabella is similar in appearance to Jafar (except his clothing is green).

His first wish is to return to Agrabah Palace (as he performed entertainment to the sultan in #1). His second wish is for an army of soldiers to pursue Aladdin and Jasmine when they catch on to Jafar's presence. He is persuaded to use his third wish to trap Jafar and Iago in the lamp again, sending them back to the cave. Due to persuasion by Genie, the Sultan hires Isabella to a permanent entertainment job at the palace. The end of the story shows the merchant having a black lamp similar to Jafar's. But he claims it to be worthless.

My chest is bigger than all of you :)

Another property that's been somewhat reused has been on Kingdom Hearts II. While it was also featured in the first Kingdom Hearts, the showdown with Jafar has been used in Kingdom Hearts II (but of course an different take). The Peddler also appears in this. As in the film, Iago escapes from Jafar and does his best to respect Aladdin, Jasmine, Sora, Donald and Goofy. Although Jafar coerces him into aiding him in his revenge, almost damaging Iago's friendship with Aladdin and Sora. But he redeems himself after taking a blow for Aladdin which almost claims his life. The Peddler, at the beginning, comes across Jafar's lamp. But sells it to Aladdin, Sora, Donald and Goofy for a rare artifact in the Cave of Wonders.

Agrabah is hiding behind us :)

Despite Aladdin sealing the lamp in the palace dungeon, the greedy Peddler breaks into the dungeon and frees Jafar. Unleashing his fury on Agrabah until he is defeated by Sora and company. The Peddler's fate is left ambiguous. Jafar was the first Disney sequel to have its plot adapted into a level in the Kingdom Hearts series. Furthermore, there`s a mild allusion to the Agrabah boss battle in Kingdom Hearts. Sora must fight Jafar in Genie form, surrounded by a lava pit with raising and lowering levels. While Iago flies above with Jafar's lamp. Only striking the lamp has any effect on Jafar's health. This fight also takes place in the second game, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, and its PlayStation 2 remake. In both versions of Chain of Memories, the boss fight is due to the majority of the game being illusions created from Sora's memories. A second playable character, Riku, also fights the boss in his mode. The battle is once again visited in Kingdom Hearts Coded and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded.

Final Conclusion

No, it wasn't the Earth.
The speed is going to make
you forget what it truly was ;)

It's going to be good.
Trust us :)

So in the end, it's truly a challenge to discuss something that is as loathed as The Return of Jafar. The very existense of the cheapquels are now long history, so we'll have to be glad for that. However, regardless of the low quality of Jafar, it's not as it should've been blamed for the trend that lasted more of a decade. Jafar just happened to be the first one of it's kind, so that's that. But whether to judge Jafar as a movie on it's own right, it's understandable why it's gotten so much hate. Yet it doesn't happen to be the very worst of the cheapquel bunch (in my opinion).

It may not be a masterpiece, but does manage to have it's perks on it's own terms. Christopher Inoa wrote that it’s still an important film in the history of Disney and animation as a whole. A movie that started a successful trend and one we got because of one man’s love for a loud, obnoxious parrot. And sure, now that we've seen the live action Aladdin, it's been confirmed that the sequel won't be a remake of The Return of Jafar. Fortunately for Disney fans. So regarding the Jafar, you're completely allowed to either love it or hate it. But at least the haters should be relieved that it's ancient history.

It's going to be a joyous return ;)

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References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_Jafar
https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tad-stones-interview-part-3
https://www.awn.com/animationworld/disney-s-animation-cash-crop-direct-video-sequels
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-05-20-9405190757-story.html
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https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107952/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiBdccfNkg (How Aladdin Changed Animation (by Screwing Over Robin Williams - Lindsay Ellis)
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Seale