Dumbo (2019)

Starring: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Alan Arkin, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins
Directed by: Tim Burton
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
2019

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A young circus elephant who can miraculously fly might save a struggling circus.

Review:

Tim: I've continually complained about Disney's current strategy of remaking all their animated films into live action movies. Every chance I get, I'm going to highlight what a boring, redundant, arrogant approach this is. However, audiences continue to flock to them, so we'll keep getting them. That being said, Dumbo is certainly a movie that needed a remake. I've gone on record saying I'm not a big fan of the original movie. It absolutely has its moments and it's an influential film, but overall, the movie is deeply flawed (especially by today's standards) and isn't all that good.

So, you would think this film had a ton of opportunity to actually improve on the original. That wasn't outside of the realm of possibility, especially with Tim Burton directing. I went into this movie hopeful that it would actually be better than the original. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen. Now, to be fair, I'd rate the 2019 version of Dumbo about equal with the original. It might actually be better, but by a negligible amount. That feels like a missed opportunity. This move is decent, but it has far too many flaws and ultimately doesn't live up to its promise.

The original movie was quite short, so it makes sense that this movie expands the scope of the story. We're introduced to a bunch of human characters and it's their journey and struggle that takes up most of the film's focus. Dumbo is certainly a central part of the film, but it never feels like he's pushed into the spotlight. I thought this was mostly a good movie. If I'm being candid, Dumbo isn't all that great of a character. He's an elephant with big ears who flies. Who cares? Why should any of us invest in a story about that character? This movie seems to realize that as it builds the foundation of the story around a circus family. Indeed, they are the focus and Dumbo is more of a supporting character. That was the right call, although it's a little weird to watch a movie named for a character who isn't all that interesting. It might be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" kind of situation here. I feel bad for those involved, but there was no requirement for this movie to even exist, so....

I like Colin Farrell and I thought he was decent in his role. He gets a good amount of screen time and even though he's not always the most compelling, he generally gives a strong performance. His character isn't especially memorable and certainly feels like a supporting one. I love Michael Keaton but he never should have accepted this role. It's far too one-dimensional and predictable. His performance ends up feeling unnecessarily over-the-top. I cringed multiple times at his performance here. I know he and Tim Burton go way back, but Burton didn't do his friend any favors here. Danny DeVito actually gives a strong performance. He emerges relatively unscathed and it felt like he added a lot to the movie. He doesn't have a big role, but he makes the most of it. Eva Green is in the same boat. Her performance elevates the character she was given. The script didn't give her a whole lot to work with, but she pulls a solid performance out of it and makes her character interesting and memorable. As much as I liked Farrell here, he wasn't able to do the same. The actors who play the kids were fine. Neither was a star-making turn, but I don't have any major grievances with them. It was nice seeing Alan Arkin here, but it was a bit of a bummer he gets a throwaway role. I have to say that Burton didn't get everything out of the cast that he should have.

The story itself is fine. It's a bit basic and predictable. It does just enough to hold your attention, but not enough to really cause you to be invested in the story. The PG rating keeps it all very light and there's not the required character development. Dumbo is presented in an unconvincing way. It certainly felt like the story was talking down to the audience, rather than trying to engage it. It's not all bad- the story here is certainly an improvement over the original. The film does a nice job of incorporating some of the elements of the original in interesting ways. The way they incorporated the pink elephants was especially well done. The visuals were fine, in line with other work that Burton has done, but nothing especially impressive. The film does fall apart a bit at the end. The big climax feels a bit overcooked and forced. I can't say I was a fan of the conclusion and it spent up too much of my little remaining patience.

Look, this live action remake of Dumbo isn't a bad movie. Burton is talented and the movie offers several upgrades from the original. Unfortunately, it doesn't do enough right. The movie is too long and never interesting enough. It never rises above a mild hold on our interest. You can do far worse than this film, but what should have been an easy win doesn't turn out that way. I give this movie some amount of credit for not being worse than the original, but it wouldn't have been too difficult to offer an improvement. That doesn't happen.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Dumbo (1941), Pete's Dragon