Film Review: Tim Burton’s Version of ‘Dumbo’ is Disappointingly Glum

Submitted by PatrickMcD on March 29, 2019 - 6:06am

CHICAGO – For reasons which remain unexplained, Walt Disney Studios and director Tim Burton have decided to weigh down the sweet story of a flying elephant with a whole pachyderm’s worth of pathos. The animated original clocked in as one of Disney’s shortest full length animated features. But the live action version drags us through nearly an extra hour’s worth of post-World War One misery.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

Colin Farrell is a circus trick rider whose service in The Great War has quite nearly cost him an arm and a leg. He returns to the perpetually failing circus he left to find his wife has been killed by a flu epidemic, and his two children have been forced to fend for themselves amongst the circus folk presided over by the ringmaster (Danny DeVito).

“Dumbo” opens everywhere on March 29th, in IMAX, RPX, 3D and regular screenings. See local listings for format, theaters and show times. Featuring Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins and Alan Arkin. Screenplay adapted by Ehren Kruger. Directed by Tim Burton. Rated “PG”