aladdin 2004, synopsis by nicholas pegg

In his lair somewhere in the deserts of Arabia, the evil magician Abanazar discovers that the key to ultimate power is a magic lamp, which can be found in a secret cave near Peking in China. But evil men like Abanazar cannot enter this magical cave, so to carry out his dirty work he must seek out a good and honest peasant boy – Aladdin!

Aladdin lives in Peking with his mother, Widow Twankey and his brother Wishee-Washee. They work in Widow Twankey’s laundry, but Aladdin has hopes of a better life, and even dreams of marrying the beautiful Princess So-Shy, daughter of the Emperor of China.

Abanazar arrives in Peking and pretends to be Aladdin’s long-lost uncle. Promising Aladdin wealth and fame beyond his wildest dreams, Abanazar persuades the boy to accompany him to the cave in the mountains above Peking. Once there, Aladdin finds the lamp, but grows suspicious and refuses to hand it over to his ‘uncle’. The furious Abanazar casts a spell, locking Aladdin in the cave.

Alone in the dark, Aladdin rubs the lamp. A Genie appears, promising to grant him any wish. Aladdin is free to go home, and is now the wealthiest man in China!

Back in Peking, the Emperor agrees to let Aladdin marry So-Shy. But Abanazar returns, and with a devious trick he gains possession of the magic lamp. He captures the Princess and commands the Genie to transport them to far-away Egypt.

Aladdin and his friends travel to Egypt by magic carpet, and there he rescues Princess So-Shy and defeats the evil Abanazar once and for all. Aladdin marries Princess So-Shy… and the Emperor has taken quite a shine to Widow Twankey too!