Dumbo

You'd think a movie called Dumbo would be more about Dumbo. There are so many side plots and needless characters that it complicates a relatively straightforward story. There are a few moments of wonder, but they are far too few in between predictable tropes. Tim Burton was an odd choice to direct this film as well. The whole film is covered with his trademark murky aesthetic and it just doesn't fit. Danny DeVito is the only saving grace as far as actors. He is fantastic while Keaton hams it up and plays the over the top bad guy. Danny Elfman's score is decent. The film is just kind of boring though. It's so paint-by-numbers and lacking in imagination. Disney hopefully learns from this with any future live-action remakes of animated classics.

...because this film is rather dull, and the direction is certainly dull, and 10 years ago I would not have called Tim Burton a boring director. He's certainly working with two of his "regulars" - DeVito, who has not lost a step in all these years and next to CGI Dumbo is the best thing about the film. And then there is Burton's other "regular" - Michael Keaton, as the rich villain. How weird for Disney to make a film with a guy who could be Walt Disney as the villain! "Dreamland" is certainly an allegory for "Disneyland".

The worst thing about the film? The child actors. They are that bad and deliver their lines in a kind of drugged monotone. Not since Larry Mathews played Ritchie Petrie on the Dick Van Dyke Show has a child actor dragged everybody else down with them every time they appear like these kids did.

I actually liked the CGI Dumbo - the little guy was very expressive in a way that 1941's animated Dumbo could not be. Ultimately there is probably a 50/50 chance you are going to like this.

A must see. 80 years after the eponymous cartoon, Tim Burton appropriated pertinently this story, preserving the magic and the poetry but modernizing it, by adding new characters and encrusting spectacular computer-generated animals. In particular, Dumbo is such a cutie and his look is a total success: his eyes are extremely expressive and he is so adorable. This is otherwise not a surprise for a Burton: the atmosphere is darker compared to the cartoon. In three words: I loved it!

I'm not sure why there are such negative comments, it was so beautiful. I watched this as a family with my children who are 10 and 13 who also thought it was wonderful. The new storyline worked really well and the characters were engaging. It was well acted and the effects were really amazing. Dumbo was unbelievably cute and I would like one for Christmas

Found this to be surprisingly amazing. Did not think it would be good. Proved me wrong. Loved the story and the happy ending. This is a great movie for the family..kids.