The Academy's Tribute Hits You in the Childhood

One of the many ways that Robin Williams' shocking death is bringing generations together is the fact that Williams voiced one of the most iconic characters of anyone's childhood. He brought the Genie from Aladdin to life, that overdramatic, loud-mouthed, deeply loyal and incredibly funny big blue helping hand that gave Aladdin the means to make all his wildest dreams come true. Williams' voice work in Aladdin won him numerous awards but now, posthumously, it's won him a tribute from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well. The tribute only becomes more poignant when you remember Genie's greatest wish from the film.

In Aladdin, the titular hero had a hard time coming to terms that he now had endless power at his disposal and could wish for anything he wanted. To help him think, he turned to Genie and asked what Genie would wish for if he had a genie of his own. After some hesitation, Genie finally confessed that his greatest wish in the world was to be free. "But oh, to be free. Not to have to go 'Poof! What do you need? Poof! What do you need Poof! What do you need?'. To be my own master. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world."

As any Aladdin fan knows, this was foreshadowing for the heartwarming end of the film in which Aladdin granted the Genie's wish and in doing so gained a lifelong companion who was there completely of his own free will.

The ending of Aladdin has become about ten times more likely to make you tear up in light of Williams' passing and The Academy only makes that feeling worse with their tribute, which references the moment in which Genie's greatest wish comes true in a completely heartwarming way. When you remember how badly Genie wished to be free and to be his own master, and combine that with the hope that Williams is in a better place now watching over his friends and family from the heavens, then it's pretty impossible to look at this and not start crying.

It's heartbreaking that such an iconic star went out in such gruesome circumstances, but considering how Williams struggled with depression and alcoholism through his life then we can at least take comfort in the fact that he is at peace. We will always remember Williams for the joy and laughter that he brought to all of our lives and it's our sincerest hope that he had as much joy and laughter as possible in his own life before it came to this devastating end. Genie, you are free.

Image: The Academy/Twitter