It sure has been a long time! Sorry folks I haven't updated in a while, there just haven't been any great films that have caught the eye. Thankfully one did this weekend and that was the new Disney live-action remake of Dumbo. Hang on tight because this review is about to take flight! Get it? Because Dumbo can fly... if you didn't get that, I'm sorry but how dare you call yourself a Disney fan and if you did get it, I apologize because that was a very bad joke. LET'S DO IT.
PLOT:
Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) has just returned home from WWI. His home? Medici's (Danny DeVito) traveling circus where he and his two children, Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) work and live. It's a bittersweet homecoming for Holt because while at war his wife had passed away from the flu. When he returns to the circus he expects to pick up his act where he and his wife were stunt riders, but Medici fell on hard times and had to sell his horses. Without an act, Holt worries because he doesn't know what to do. Medici gives him the job of taking care of the elephants. Holt is reluctant to take this job but in the end a job is a job. He goes to take a look at the elephants he'll be caring for, including a very pregnant elephant. A few days later that said elephant gives birth to a baby elephant with one very defining characteristic, his ears are huge!
Everyone instantly makes fun of the elephant and thinks he's a mistake except for Milly and Joe who just see a friend. They soon discover that with the help of a feather that Dumbo can fly with the help of his ears. They make him the feature star of the circus. His act catches the eye of V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), the owner of a world-renowned theme park/circus. He wants to build his whole show around Dumbo. However, is everything as it seems in this what appears to be perfect venture? It's up to Dumbo and his friends to find out and discover what lies ahead.
REVIEW:
We all know the story of Dumbo whether we've seen the movie or not, it's about an elephant who can fly. It's a much beloved story and rightly so. When I heard Tim Burton was doing a remake I was looking forward to it. I enjoy Tim Burton's films despite him having some not so great ones. I like his style and I thought he could have a really neat take on this story. It had a somewhat Tim Burton feel but in all honesty I could have used more. Sure it had the visual look of a Tim Burton film and he used some of his regular cast members (Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, his current muse Eva Green) but something felt like it was missing. I'm not exactly sure was, it just didn't have that extra element of weirdness. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this film because I very much did. I thought it was a fun, colorful film.
I'm always a little nervous about Disney remakes because I hold the original films in such high regard,especially with so many coming out so quickly. I mean this year alone we've got Dumbo, Aladdin, and The Lion King, not to mention December's Mary Poppins Returns from last year. So far the ones I've seen have been great but I'm still always slightly nervous. Now I'm not going to lie, I wasn't ever the biggest Dumbo fan, it was never in my top Disney films, but I was excited to check this one out. I came out of the theater pleasantly surprised. I thought this was a solid, entertaining movie. It wasn't my favorite Disney live-action film but the original wasn't ever my favorite either. I found myself enjoying the film and I wanted to know what would happen to this little elephant I immediately fell in love with.
To say Tim Burton's films are visually stunning is an understatement. He just always knows how to make a film look good from Big Fish and Edward Scissorhands to Alice in Wonderland and Miss Peregrine's. Regardless of how you feel about those particular films, they look great and grab your attention. This film is no different, from the opening shot I was taken in. I found myself wishing the places in the film were real especially the amusement park.
The story, however, felt a bit lacking to me. The story is about Dumbo which I understand and I loved him but there were also these characters that I wanted to know more about. I wanted to know Colette's (Eva Green) story and how she came to the circus. I wanted to know more about Holt. All I really knew about him was that he served in the war, was married, had an act with his wife and had two children. I wanted to know how he got there. He was the main protagonist besides Dumbo and it felt like we hardly knew him. It just felt a bit thin when we could have dived deeper into these particular characters and formed a deeper bond with them. The villain also didn't feel as high stakes as he should have. Michael Keaton is great but it almost felt like he didn't have much to do. He was this showboat who was integral to the plot in getting Dumbo to that particular show but other than that he didn't do much. He was so easy to beat as it were, he didn't really prove to be a major obstacle.
Overall I did enjoy this movie. I do wish we could have explored some characters more and had a slightly better villain but other than that it was a solid film. I thought the visual effects were great and they did a great job with Dumbo. He felt real and tangible and he was adorable. We really grow to care and love this big-eared and big-hearted elephant.
PARENT'S GUIDE:
This film is rated PG. There is no cussing at least in my recollection. I think kids will enjoy this, there was a couple of kids in the theater when I went and they seemed to be pretty engaged in the story. It may be a bit more suitable for older kids rather than really young kids but that's up to you parentals. You know your children better than I do!
OVERALL RATING:
For this film I will give it a...
Dumbo: 7/10
I thought this was a solid film. It could have used a few changes but overall I enjoyed myself and thought it a fun, enjoyable film.
CONCLUSION:
Well there you have it folks! After what seems like a lifetime, a new review! As always thank you for taking the time to read this blog. Please be sure to leave me a comment or suggestion and tell your friends. Also if you have a Facebook be sure like my page, A Dork's Guide to Movies. Tell them I sent you... just kidding I run the page so I'll know. I think that's all I have to say for now. Until next time!
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