*Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to the advance screening to facilitate this post*

 

From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star and recent widower Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

 

 

SPOILER ALERT

 

 

My Thoughts

I feel like Disney really hit this one out of the park!  As I have said in previous reviews of Disneys live-action remakes they are much darker than the originals. I brought my 6-year-old daughter with us to the movie and she did really well. However, I don’t think a child much younger than her would be able to sit through it. While it is a fantastic movie it is on the slower side so keep that in mind. I loved how they opened up the movie with the Casey Jr song! It took me right back to riding the ride they have in Disneyland! They honestly blew me away with how real all of the animals looked in the movie, especially Dumbo. It’s like I could have reached out and felt all of his wrinkles, not to mention his beautiful blue eyes.

 

The movie starts out at the Medici Brothers Circus with Danny DeVito played Max Medici the ring leader. Enter, Collin Farrell as Holt the injured military hero returning to the circus after the war. Unfortunately, he is returning shortly after his wife passed away to take care of his two children Millie & Joe. Mrs.Jumbo the elephant has given birth to baby Dumbo and he is the laughing stock of the show. This sends Mrs.Jumbo into a fit of rage as she tears down the circus tent trying to protect her baby. She is sent back to the man Max has purchased her from leaving Dumbo devastated. One thing I was sad about was that they chose to leave out Dumbos mouse friend – Timothy.

 

Millie and Joe teach Dumbo that he can fly and he is a hit! V.A. Vandevere a successful businessman gets wind of the amazing Dumbo and offers to bring their whole circus act to Dreamland. Things seem too good to be true and unfortunately, they are. While in Dreamland they discover that Dumbos mom is being held there as apart of the ” Worlds Most Dangerous Animals” exhibit. When Vandevere finds out that its Dumbos mom he sentences her to death. Dumbo and the whole circus crew band together to try and save them both.

 

 

I would highly recommend that everyone check out this film! And make sure you bring the tissues, as with the original this one is a tear jerker!

 

Dumbo premieres on March 29th