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.
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
