Visually impressive yet underwhelming
DISNEY’S conveyor belt of liveaction remakes continues with Dumbo, inspired by the classic tale of a big-eared baby elephant that could fly, introduced by author Helen Aberson in 1941. While the original film clocked in at 64 minutes, 2019’s Dumbo stretches to 112 minutes, expanded and developed by director Tim Burton.
The trailer for the movie is whimsical, dark and heart tugging. And with its retro setting and impressive cast lineup of Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, and Eva Green, it pretty much cooks up a recipe for a good movie.
Much of the first half of the remake, penned by Ehren Kruger, is said to be similar to the original film. We are introduced to Holt Farrier (played by Colin Farrell), a war veteran who returns home to his two children. A former circus worker, he was one half of a double act with his wife who has since passed away while he was at war.
Holt, who is missing an arm due to an injury, is no longer needed to perform his act which requires extensive horse riding. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) tasks Holt and his kids Milly and Joe to take care of a baby elephant born with enormous ears.
Cruelly named Dumbo, the poor little pachyderm is separated from his mother, but things start to look up for the elephant when he becomes the main attraction due to his ability to fly.
This is where the evil V.A Vandervere (Michael Keaton) comes into play, as he too wants Dumbo.
Although Dumbo doesn’t utter a single word of dialogue (none of the animals do), he is as expressive as the human actors in the film, and for that I’d have to give a thumbs-up to the animators. It’s fun to watch baby elephants of any kind, including a digital one.
In this film, Dumbo doesn’t have his sidekick Timothy Q. Mouse as in the original film. The role is filled by Milly and Joe.
The cast is amusing and colourful. Each is memorable in their performances. Farrell as Holt Farrier is emotional but strong, while Eva Green, who plays Colette Marchant, is enchanting. Incredibly beautiful, Green is a natural trapeze artiste despite her real-life fear of heights.
I especially love the visuals, the set, the animation but I do have a few qualms about the film. For one, it is PG-rated for children but scenes like death, extensive fire and destruction, will likely make children feel uncomfortable, when what is needed is just a simple retelling of a classic Disney film.
Burton has directed plenty of movies with dark themes and lighter moods that have become hits but his Dumbo remake, while good, is not mind blowing. To be honest, I expected more.
Despite that, there are several messages which viewers can take home.
For example, it encourages one to stand up for the innocent, to be kind and to be brave.