Review: 'Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom' a visually stunning sci-fi adventure that redefines independent filmmaking

Buffalo 8, 2024.

Fifteen years in the making, and every bit of blood, sweat and tears poured into "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is apparent.

Matt Busch’s "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is an impressive feat of independent filmmaking that feels like cinematic comfort food—familiar, adventurous, and deeply satisfying. Known for his work as a professional illustrator on various Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Indiana Jones projects (and much, much more over his 30+ years in the industry), Busch proves he’s more than just a renowned artist; he’s a capable, bold and passionate storyteller. And what he was able to pull off from a technical standpoint - on a budget of around a paltry $200,000 - simply defies all logic or explanation.

As a film critic for 15+ years, having seen thousands of films over that span, I can say with full confidence that I've never quite seen anything like this. Independent filmmaking and blockbuster popcorn movies have never been mashed together in this way, nor did I think such an amalgam was even possible. Busch has some brass balls for even attempting such a massive undertaking, and what he's been able to accomplish is nothing short of a mind-boggling achievement. And it's singular: It might take until the actual year 3477 for another creative talent such as Matt Busch to come along, because there is NOBODY else who could have even come close to making this project work in the way that he does.

This self-made film, crafted by a self-made man is available for pre-order on Apple TV+ as of December 20th, 2024, and it hits various VOD platforms on January 3rd, 2025.

​I simply cannot recommend this film enough. Read on for my full review.

Grade: A

Matt Busch’s "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is an audacious reimagining of a classic tale, transformed into a dazzling sci-fi adventure that's funny, exciting and familiar. This familiarity with the characters and over-arching story allow the viewer to submerge themselves fully into this futuristic world without needing to think too much...a common pitfall of many science-fiction movies that tend to over-complicate themselves. But because we know the generalities, it also allows Busch to cleverly play off of our expectations, making his Aladdin movie refreshingly unique (and why the year "3477" you may ask, of all the years that could be chosen in the future? Well, it's because "3477" spells out "m a t t" when rotated, and viewed from a certain angle).

The film follows Aladdin (Michigan-native Erik Steele), a street-smart dreamer from futuristic Hong Kong, whose obsession with Princess Kamala of India (Christi Dumar) propels him on a globe-trotting quest for the mythical Jinn of Wisdom (Aaron Golematis). Along for the ride is Oomi (Lin Zy), a fiercely loyal and endlessly endearing companion...and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Aladdin's pal robot, FIDGI, a beeping, flying Droid...er, robot, that fills the Abu role many might remember from the Disney version of the story, always at Aladdin's side. There is evil abound, with a menacing villain that sort of exists in the shadows of this installment...I'm sure there's more to come with this character as the story progresses (more on that in a bit).

Busch makes every dollar of his limited budget count with breathtaking effects, practical miniatures, and location shoots across Michigan, Cambodia, Thailand, and India. The handcrafted sets—some built in Busch’s own backyard—create a world that feels both grand and lived-in, proving that creativity and passion can often outshine big-budget CGI spectacles.

The production process itself is a testament to Busch's dedication. Over five years of preproduction involved meticulous writing, illustrating, and designing characters and sets...all pulled directly from the mind and imagination of the filmmaker. During principal photography, which spanned another five years, he and his team built elaborate sets from scratch, transforming local Michigan landscapes like Silver Lake Sand Dunes into distant, otherworldly terrains. This hands-on approach to production, using in-camera effects and forced-perspective miniatures, recalls the golden age of adventure filmmaking while embracing modern sci-fi aesthetics.

It's an immersive cinematic experience rarely seen in independent filmmaking. Did I mention I haven't seen anything like it?

​Busch’s lifelong passion for adventure storytelling is evident in every frame. He channels the spirit of Lucas, Spielberg and his other cinematic idols, while crafting a world uniquely his own. The influences come across as inspiration however, not mimicry or hackery. And while there are no known actors (indie-darling Jerry Hayes who plays the Sultan, is the closest thing the film has to a seasoned-actor), there is still a lot for the audience to connect with.

This is a movie that I believe people will genuinely like...the sort of movie you might find yourself re-watching just to take it all in again. It's also more importantly, the kind of movie that needs to be FOUND. If you do take my advice and see it, do everyone involved a favor, and shout from the rooftops to others that they need to see it too.

The best part? "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is just the beginning. Two more films in the trilogy are already in the works, promising to continue the  adventures ahead. As mentioned, on December 20, 2024, this first film is available for pre-order on Apple TV+, with a full VOD release on January 3, 2025.  With luck and a whole lot of wishing, Matt would ideally like to release part's 2 and 3 successively over the next two years.

In an era dominated by big studio blockbusters, "Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" stands as a bold declaration of what independent cinema can achieve when driven by passion, creativity, and relentless determination. Much like the Jinn in the story, Matt Busch has unlimited potential—but like any hidden treasure, his work needs to be discovered by those willing to seek it out.

Grade: A

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action
Run Time: 1 hour 58 minutes.
Not Rated.

Starring: Erik Steele, Jerry Hayes, Christi Dumar, Lin Zy, James Polony, Aaron Golematis.

Written and Directed by Matt Busch (feature-film debut).

"Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom" is available for pre-order on Apple TV+, with a full VOD release on January 3, 2025.