Category: Dumbo (2019)

Sweet, innocent Dumbo.

DUMBO (2019)

Film Review by Marlene Ardoin

First of all, this is an animal rights film.

There are some complaints that the little baby elephant, Dumbo, was being abused, when it is actually Dumbo’s mother, who was abused.

A cruel handler was using meat hooks to move the mother elephant after she had just given birth.

There were no children in the audience when I attended, who had a problem with how Dumbo was treated.

This is not like E.T., where children were experiencing severe separation anxiety, when E.T. had to go home.

At the beginning of this film, I have to admit that I was squirming in my seat.

I was sorry that this sweet, innocent baby elephant was going to have to live in the sleazy atmosphere of the circus. I believe this atmosphere was created deliberately.

But, I was relieved by the end of this film that the mother and her baby, Dumbo, would get to live in freedom together.

Dumbo (2019) divides people up into two groups, adults who are caring, and adults, who are cruel.

As we get to know the circus that Max Medici (Danny DeVito) leads, we learn that most of the members are a family of caring individuals.

In contrast, V. A. Vandevere’s (Michael Keaton) Dreamland is plugged into personal gain and exploitation, in a very desperate way.

An aspect that I liked, was the film’s call for the acceptance of physical differences.

When Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) arrives on the scene, back from WWI, he tells his two children, “Hey, It’s still me,” when his two children appear to be taken back by his one-armed appearance.

And, there is the issue of Dumbo’s over-sized ears, which also turn out to be a blessing.

Farrell’s character proves that if you have courage and heart, having only one arm does not matter.

By the end of this film, the audience was routing for Holt’s heroism and courage, and the same can be said for Dumbo.

I feel that the director, Tim Burton, approached the theme in a very masterful way.

Colette Marchant (Eva Green) is the romantic interest, who at first looks like she might be listed on the cruel list, but proves that she really belongs on the caring list of characters.

The beautiful Colette sees Holt’s kindness and courage, and finds that those qualities are more important than his having only one arm.

Green’s Colette is a sympathetic character, full of grace, bravery and wisdom.

Do not miss this film, and bring your children to see this film.