Ray's Review: DUMBO
Rating: A
Disney is changing the way we view many of their classic animated films by creating a way of live-action versions of them. Jungle Book was a huge success and fans are already highly anticipating Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as, its latest release Dumbo. With iconic director Tim Burton at the helm I was a little nervous about what to expect from one of my childhood favorites, but I have to say I was not at all disappointed with this film. Dumbo is not only a feast for your eyes, but is sure to pull at your heart strings and take you back to your childhood for another look at why we fell in love with the"elephant who could fly."
The story has definitely had several changes since it is relying on it's human actors to carry the story. This is set around Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) who is returning home from the war to his circus family and his two young children Milly Farrier (Nico Parker) and Joe Farrier (Finley Hobbins). He learns that his beloved circus has been having some issues since the death of his wife and the circus owner Max Medici (Danny Devito) has had to make cutbacks including selling Holt's show horses. With no horses left for him to have an act in the show he is suddenly put in charge of the one set of animals that they cant find a handler for, the elephants. When their largest and most exotic elephant gives birth to a baby with unusually large ears it is Holt's job to find a way to work the bbay into the show and hide the baby elephants unsightly ears. Things of course do not go according to plan and when the poor baby's ears are exposed his mother tears down the big top to protect him from the audience that is making fun of him and throwing things at him. This forces Max to sell the mother elephant and try to make the best use of the nw baby they call Dumbo in the clown act. However with the love an attention Holt's children give Dumbo they discover that this tiny baby has a secret behind his large ears....he can fly. This flying elephant turns out to be the one thing that could turn the tides for the struggling circus and even be the thing that brings Dumbo's mom back home to him.
This film is much darker than many may remember from the original cartoon. There is also a lot less singing to be had in this tale. Colin Farrell and Danny Devito really give solid performances in this film. Eva Green is stunning as Colette Marchant aka "The Flying Woman" and Michael Keaton's villainous V.A. Vandevere is perfectly cast for this movie. The children actors, particularly Nico Parker as Milly really shows us her potential in this film, giving us a strong and determined young female character in this film that I think little girls are going to love. Tim Burton really brings the circus world to life with vibrant colors and sets that you won't be able to look away from the screen. Not to mention the CGI team behind creating our beloved Dumbo really have done something special. He is hard not to fall in love with. You will want to protect him yourself from the second his hits the screen. His big blue expressive eyes are hard to not love.
Disney has really done a great job with this live-action adaptation and I strongly feel like audiences need to give this movie a chance. Parts of it may be too dark for super young children, but beyond that this is a solid film. We scored it with an easy A. The film opens in theaters this weekend and if you are looking for a solid family film to bring the kids to, then look no further than Disney's Dumbo and be ready to believe that nothing is impossible.