Outline for the Term Paper

I.  Introduction:

In the film Aladdin, the laws of physics are broken in great variation among characters in order to tell a richly vibrant, comedic tale that feels both magical and extraordinary yet believable.

II. Body paragraphs:

1.      How the rules of squash and stretch and gravity do (and don’t!) apply to comic relief characters

a.       Abu quite frequently stretches beyond what is realistically possible (ex. dropping his jaw down to his chest in disbelief, stuffing an impossible amount of food and money into his tiny vest severely lacking in extra material, extreme squash-and-stretch as he hopelessly attempts to climb a tree after transforming into an elephant)

b.      The slapstick and physical comedy of Iago—pulled through the ringer multiple times in the film; the only reason why he is able to survive being dragged through a machine, squashed in a door, and slammed into a wall is because of the consistent way he breaks the laws of gravity and squashes and stretches beyond reality

c.       The Genie—every aspect of his existence breaks just about all the rules; he is clearly tangible and weighted, but simultaneously ephemeral and light as a feather

2.      The hero’s loyalty to and deviation from the laws of gravity

a.       Deviations occur when trying to make the character appear heroic (i.e. when Aladdin flies out of the window on a not-at-all-magic carpet or when Jasmine follows an impossible arc of motion when jumping between rooftops using a pole for leverage)

b.      Stay much closer to the laws of gravity than the other characters (Aladdin falls from a considerable height both in the Cave of Wonders and off a cliff, and Jasmine cannot easily avoid life-threatening situations such as being stuck in an hour glass by escaping the laws of physics that the comedic characters could)

c.       Raises the stakes (the heroes could die and the tiger is dangerous)

3.      In a world where magic exists, people, things, and places move in a way that is contrary to reality.

a.       The arc of motion of some background characters is exaggerated or stunted (such as some of the guards at the beginning of the film)

b.      The rotund sultan moves with a bouncy weightlessness contrary to his physique

c.       Jafar, disguised as an old beggar, seems to lose even more body mass and gain additional flexibility in his bizarrely-shaped lips

III. Conclusion

1.      The occasional faithfulness to the way people move in the real world with characters such as Aladdin and Jasmine helps the audience identify and connect with them

2.      Viewers can feel okay laughing at or with the comic relief because of the cartoony way that they are animated; they clearly can survive just about anything!

3.      The deviations from real physics and motion in the background and secondary characters bridges the gap between ordinary reality and wonderful magic that this film must accomplish in order to feel believable