Can you believe that the Dumbo Animated film is debuted 78 years ago? It is amazing that eight decades later families all over the world are still enjoying the animated classic. It speaks volumes to the power of their storytelling. Dumbo is the story of a young circus elephant who is ridiculed because of his enormous ears. With the help of a little mouse, Dumbo sets out on an adventure to save a circus and his mother.
In the original animated film, the story ends when Dumbo’s flying makes him a celebrity and through his fame is reunited with his mother. In the new live-action film, starring Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, and Danny DeVito, it doesn’t end there. Although the early part of the film does play out very similar to the animated film, in the second half of the film Dumbo’s new fame takes him into an original adventure story! One in which he truly shines as the movie’s hero!
We follow Dumbo on his new adventure to the enchanting amusement park known as Dreamland. There we are introduced to new characters such as Dreamland Owner aV. A. Vandevere (Micheal Keaton) and star acrobat Colette Marchant (Eva Green). Apart from this new adventure for Dumbo, the biggest differences between the animated and live-action film are that in the animated feature, we are taken through the movie through the eyes of the circus animals like Dumbo’s friend Timothy Q. Mouse. Although Timothy Q. Mouse does make subtle appearances in the live action, the audience is taken through the film by The Farrier Family. Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his family work for the circus that Dumbo and his mother have been sold to. They are in charge of Dumbo and Mrs. Jumbo. It is their relationship with Dumbo and with each other, that set the pace for the movie.
Dumbo is just as loveable as he is in the animated film. He is one of the few animals who does not talk in the animated film making it much easier to translate him into live action. And yes, he still has his magic feather.
This new film provides both the nostalgic and heartwarming moments we loved from the animated movie and gives a delightful and exciting new story along with it.
From Disney and visionary director, Tim Burton, Dumbo arrives in theaters on March 29th, 2019.
