You know how you can tell the original Dumbo is a classic of note that has aged gracefully since it’s original release? By how bad the live action remake is.
An expanded version of the animated classic, with a handful of extra characters and storylines to bulk up the original’s sub 70-minute run time, it follows the same tale of an elephant with big ears who gets bullied. Then the elephant learns to fly. That is virtually identical to the original.
The difference is that the remake feels lifeless and soulless by comparison. It’s a perfectly acceptable family film, of course, as it hits all the beats of the original and adds a little more. If there never had been an original animated version of this film this would be something that feels more significant.
Unfortunately, the original is such a brilliantly simple classic that anything besides it doesn’t feel right.
It’s shocking because this is a film loaded with talent with Tim Burton behind the camera. Everything about this should scream “instant classic” but it’s a good film that reminds you of just how brilliant the original animated film really is.
The Blu-Ray has a load of extras designed mainly for children.
Walt Disney presents Dumbo. Directed by Tim Burton. Written by Ehren Kruger, based on the book by Helen Aberson & Harold Pearl. Starring Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Alan Arkin, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins. Run Time: 112 minutes Rated PG. Released on DVD: 6.25.2019
