By: Simone Cathryn
Rated PG - Warning: Some scary scenes and depictions of violence towards animals (Would not recommend for children under 10 years old)
Based on the 1941 Disney classic film Dumbo, Tim Burton takes the original story and tries to make it fly with a more complex story-line, characters and a new ending.
Wounded soldier Max returns home from war to the circus his family has been a long term part of. While he was at war his wife passed away leaving him a single parent of his two young children Milly and Joe. Returning to a circus that is now struggling he is put in charge of the Elephants, including a newborn elephant that does not conform to what the circus owner was hoping for.
This remake is visually stunning and with such an experienced and well-known cast and crew at the helm that’s not surprising. The addition of the children who befriend Dumbo, becoming his biggest supporters, allies and ultimately fierce advocates, are wonderful. Nico Parker as Milly gives a stand out performance, showing a young girl who has to fight to carve out her place in a world that has seemingly already decided where she should fit. She brings strength, vulnerability, determination and intelligence to the character creating the most complex and believable character in the film. Unfortunately some of the others do fall into old tropes and stereotypes creating a few scenes that bring more disbelief to the film than an elephant flying.
The special effects are spectacular. The original Dumbo was ground-breaking for its time in animation so it’s not surprising that this remake is also leading the way.
The animation/special effects of the animals are realistic and yet at the same time magical, the world created is. Dumbo and his animal friends and family will break your heart, make you smile, feel completely real and yet still have the essence of the original.
Bringing up issues of courage, greed, power, family, advocacy and the way we should treat animals as well as each other, especially those who might not fit the norm, Dumbo paves the way to really talk to each other about what we can do to make things right for those who are mistreated. Ultimately reminding us that even after not standing up we can still find the courage to course correct and make things right.
I’ll admit it has been quite a while since I have seen the original film Dumbo, as there are some rather major plot issues with the original and although this new version is not perfect it is a massive step forward. If you aren’t looking for something real but something magical that can take you to a whole different time and place then Dumbo is well worth a watch.
Dumbo flies into cinemas around Australia from Thursday 28th March 2019.