Available today on Blu-ray, DVD and digital, is the live action version of Disney’s Dumbo.
Dumbo has always been a favorite movie of mine. The original animated Dumbo movie came to theaters in 1941 (LONG before I was born). I was fortunate to see it in the theater when I was a young girl, thanks to a local movie theater that would show a different Disney film each week, all summer long. The theater did this for many years, so I was able to see pretty much every Disney film made up until that time.
What I loved about the original Dumbo, is Dumbo himself. I thought he was the cutest thing. I even have a plush Dumbo.
Fast forward to more recent times. Disney has been bringing a lot of it’s beloved classics back to the big screen, but this time as live action versions of their animated films. Movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book and Aladdin have been re-imagined as live action films. I think all of them have been Hollywood “gold” too, meaning they have done exceptionally well in theaters. I’m excited to see the Lion King, which is currently in theaters (I have yet to see it). Future live action films include Cruella (from 101 Dalmatians), Mulan and Lady and the Tramp.
I didn’t get the chance to see the live action Dumbo in the movie theater. Thankfully I was sent a copy to review.
Dumbo was directed by Tim Burton, who tends to put a bit of an “odd” spin on things. I was worried he would make Dumbo a bit “trippy” like some of his other movies (Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie…). Thankfully that is not the case with Dumbo (as far as being downright weird), but I don’t think Burton did enough to evoke the true essence of the original Dumbo movie. This movie seems to be more about the humans than Dumbo himself.
Unlike the other Disney live action reboots, Dumbo sways away from the original film.
Dumbo features Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green and Alan Arkin. It also stars Finley Hobbins and Nico Parker, who are young child actors who don’t have other films to their credit, but I have a feeling you’ll be seeing more of them in the future.
Holt Farrier (Farrell) returns home from WWI. He is reunited with his children (who lost their mother to an illness), as well as his circus family. Holt used to work with the circus horses, but they were sold off when he was off in the military. The only work available for Holt is working with the elephants.
Holt has an elephant, Ms. Jumbo, who gives birth to an unusual elephant with giant ears. He’s named Dumbo.
Holt’s children soon discover that this baby elephant has an unique talent – he can fly when he sucks a feather into his trunk. This comes to the attention of the circus owner, Max Medici (DeVito), who naturally uses Dumbo in his shows to help his circus make money.
The little flying elephant also comes to the attention of a an amusement park owner in Coney Island, New York, named V.A. Vendever (Keaton). He plans on moving the entire circus there, and promises them all jobs. His plan is to make Dumbo his star attraction. But is his plan for the circus and Dumbo legitimate, or does he have something else in mind?
Will Dumbo find happiness? Will he ever be fully accepted by the elephant world, and the human world? Will he be seen as something much more than just a way to make money? To find out, you need to pick up or rent Dumbo. Look for it where ever movies are sold.
There was one thing I really hoped for with this movie – that it did NOT show Dumbo being ripped from his mothers arms… I mean trunk… like he was in the animated film. Let’s just say that my dream did not come true. Sigh…
Overall, I enjoyed the film, but I don’t see it as a Dumbo reboot. It’s like it’s a totally different movie. It does feature a circus and an elephant with big ears that can fly, but that is about where the similarities end. The original also focused more on Dumbo whereas this film was more about the people.
Sadly, this movie didn’t live up to my expectations for it. Maybe if they would have chosen a different director? DON’T GET ME WRONG, Tim Burton is a genius with it comes to making films, and I have fully enjoyed many of them. I just think that he took the film in the wrong direction. I would have liked the movie to stay truer to the animated version.
The kids actors in this movie were really good. I won’t be surprised if we see more of them in the future.
It was nice to see veteran actors like Keaton and DeVito back on the big screen, although I’m not used to seeing Keaton as a bad guy (I was just watching him in Mr. Mom last night).
The live action movie Dumbo is cute, but the original is cuter. I’m glad the CGI animators gave him those big, sad eyes. He wouldn’t have been Dumbo without them.
There are plenty of bonus features to check out. Normally I try and watch them when time allows for it. This time I didn’t watch them, but I do always make it a point of watching bonus content when I have some free time.
BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD:
- CIRCUS SPECTACULARS: Dumbo’s cast share their experience of making the film—and get to the heart of a story about family and believing in yourself.
- THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: Explore how one of Disney’s most lovable characters went from an animated classic to a stunning live-action retelling.
- BUILT TO AMAZE: Get a closer look at the film’s production and costume design.
- DELETED SCENES: A compelling collection of scenes that almost made the final film.
- Roustabout Rufus
- Pachyderm Plans
- The Other Medici Brother
- Monkey Business
- A Star Is Born
- Where’s Dumbo
- Elephant Heist
- A Seat at the Show
- EASTER EGGS ON PARADE: Discover the hidden and not-so-hidden nods to the animated Dumbo in this narrated tribute to the Disney classic.
- CLOWNING AROUND: Laugh along with the cast in a collection of big-top bloopers and goofs from the set.
- “BABY MINE”: Visual video performed by Arcade Fire
DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE:
- DREAMLAND – ANATOMY OF A SCENE: From Final Script to Final Scene: The filmmakers and cast talk a lot about the feeling of “grand intimacy” in the film. Step right up as they bring the Dreamland parade to life, accomplishing the rare marriage of a massive spectacle combined with an emotional tenderness.
In honor of the film’s release I have a fun juggling lesson activity and animal cracker recipe for you to enjoy.
Below is the film’s theatrical trailer. It is no longer in theaters.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
