When my family moved out of my childhood home five years ago, we essentially rid our lives of everything non-essential in an effort to declutter and downsize.
The hardest separation? Me and our rather large collection of old Disney VHS tapes.
Even though there was no chance of me finding a VCR player to watch any of these films, I allowed myself to keep five tapes. Among nearly all princess films, the one tape I will never let go of is the classic 1941 animation “Dumbo.”
While I’m not the biggest fan of animated films, “Dumbo” still holds a special place in my heart. So, when I heard a live-action version of the classic was set to be released spring 2019, I waited with excitement. And the film did not disappoint.
Hailey Stewart | Argonaut
Set at the end of WWI in 1919, the film features the return of a father reunited with his two inquisitive children. Holt Farrier (played by Colin Farrell), a world class equestrian and soldier, returns home to the Medici Bros. Traveling Circus to find his low-spirited children and even more discouraged performing troupe.
Low on funds and morale, the circus performers are in need of something new — something to bring a bit of magic into their lives.
After selling off the troupe’s horses, Holt must take on a new job with the circus as the resident elephant caretaker. And with a new baby elephant on the way, Max Medici, the ring leader, hopes an exotic and cute new addition to the group will fill the menagerie with audiences across America.
But when they find the new baby elephant has larger-than-life ears, they see Dumbo as more of a “freak” than a show stopper. True to the original plot, Dumbo’s ears do carry a bit of magic. While attempting to chase after a feather, Dumbo takes flight, thanks to his floppy ears.
However, the easily-excitable baby elephant is quickly discouraged, like his circus friends, when his mother is taken away.
In order to buy Dumbo’s mother back, Holt’s children attempt to make Dumbo a star. And when V.A. Vandervere, the owner of an amusement park and circus act, takes on the Medici Bros. Traveling Circus as his own, Dumbo gets the chance to show off his new flying skills in the hopes it will bring back his mother.
Aside from the whimsical plot of the original film, this version of “Dumbo” pulls out a few deeper twists and darker turns with the directional genius of Tim Burton.
This film doesn’t fall anywhere near short when it comes to the graphics and scenery. Similar to “Water for Elephants” and “The greatest Showman,” this film is composed of fun costumes and even more magical sets.
Perhaps the strongest part of the film is its actors. The rather odd combination of Danny DeVito, Colin Farrell and Michael Keaton produces a strong cast of characters.
Various critics have claimed this version of “Dumbo” does little more than regurgitate the old plotline of the first “Dumbo.” But why overhaul what was perfectly whimsical and endearing before?
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HaileyAStew