How does the new 'Dumbo' measure up?

Disney continues the live-action conversion of its catalogue of classics with a Tim Burton–directed update of the 1941 story of an elephant whose huge ears allow him to fly. (Watch the trailer for Dumbo below.)

While the basic structure of baby Dumbo’s story is preserved, some elements – comic relief crows, a mouse sidekick – are abandoned, and a war veteran single dad (Colin Farrell) and his two kids are added to the mix. Still set in the 1940s, Dumbo has an old world charm, with Burton keeping his flair for visual spectacle on point instead of allowing things to go over the (big) top.

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Where the film may lose younger viewers, though, is in the time spent on its adult storyline – the financial difficulty faced by Danny DeVito’s ringmaster and the manipulative machinations of theme park owner V. A. Vandevere (Keaton), who schemes to get his hands on Dumbo. A little more wonder and spectacle, a little less business, please. (Out now) 3.5 stars

Gavin Scott

After cutting his teeth on teen titles Smash Hits and TV Hits (remember them?) in the 2000s, Gavin moved into weekly magazines, working for TV Week for many years and continuing to contribute to that title to this day, and writing for Who, Woman’s Day, New Idea and OK over the past decade or so. He’s also worked for digital outlets, writing and editing for SBS, Pedestrian and Who.com.au, and has hosted and produced TV and music podcasts. Entertainment in all its forms has been Gavin’s focus, whether that be interviewing the latest eliminated contestant from Survivor; reviewing the newest films, TV series and albums; writing opinion pieces about streaming platforms and their offerings; or talking to Australian pop stars past and present about their musical journey. As a long-time freelancer, Gavin goes where the work takes him, with one hand on the remote and the other scrolling through his phone for entertainment updates.

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