It's always a great thing when you can deduce exactly what you're in for the instant you see the title of the film. Take a film known as "Genie in a Bikini". Of course you know what to expect: There is a genie, the genie is wearing the previously mentioned swimsuit, and there will be a significant number of magical hijinks involving the genie and the genie's various child co-stars.
What better way to celebrate Memorial Day, representing the sacrifice of some and the courage of all, then with a film called "Genie in a Bikini"? Gotta love Nickelodeon's logic on this one.
Did you ever play Dragon Quest 9? It was a game for the DS that allowed for open exploration, great customization, huge boss battles and a very fun class change system. One of the special items was known as the Minstrel's Medal, and it allowed characters to equip armor that would normally be suited for the other gender. Luckily, the game had a good sense of humor and dignity, and would not allow males to equip more risque' items such as swimsuits, claiming that "even the medal won't let you get away with this one". This is a lesson that Genie in a Bikini needs to learn.
This genie is a male, and physically unable to look anything aside from disturbing in a bikini. The plot of the film regards this genie being discovered by a group of teenagers, who in no way question the magical being's choice of swimwear,
The main issue of the film comes not only from the typical genie formula of children using limitless power for stupid things, but from the genie's inability to grant said stupid wishes properly (a plate of cheese becomes a plate of bees, etc.). You've all seen a film like this before, that uses the Monkey's Paw method of wish granting.
What I'll never understand about genie films is why the keeper never ends up using the magical creature to it's full potential. "Hmm, so I've got a magical humanoid capable of bending the very fabric of reality. What should I do with him? End world hunger? Cure the sick? Oh, how I could use his powers to make the world a better place!"
"OR......I could wish for an ice-cream sundae. Tough choice here."
The creators of this film had a similar choice. They could put some time and effort into it and wind up with a legitimately funny and creative film for children, or they could make Genie in a Bikini. I'm sure it was a tough choice here as well.
OVERALL RATING: 3/10
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I honestly feel bad for the actor who's playing the genie here. This is a theatrical debut he's making, and the first role he winds up in is a genie wearing a piece of women's swimwear. Somehow, somewhere, Chaos Lord Tibecenas, Norm The Genie and Robin Williams are crying for him.
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