Wordiezett
So much average
Console
best movie i've ever seen.
Kaelan Mccaffrey
Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
filmtogo
I will never get how people still say that Bambi losing his mother is the worst in the classic disney films. For me it's Dumbos mother being imprisoned because she tries to protect her child. Yes, she's not dying, but it's still so very sad! And then we get this little adventure for Dumbo and his mousey companion. These two always remind me of Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket. The parade of the elephants - which Dumbo and Timothy Mouse are seeing when they're drunk (!) - is one of the craziest drug moments Disney ever did (probably only Alice in Wonderland can match it with it's weirdness). And it's so much fun to see Dumbo fly in the end and how he becomes a worldwide phenomenon after he got bullied around for such a long time.
TheBigSick
This is maybe the shortest Disney feature-length animated film, with only sixty-four minutes run-time. Therefore, as you can imagine, the story in it is rather simple. Not only that, the plot is also predictable in the sense that it is just a story that a down-on-his-luck protagonist works all his way up and finally makes it. However, the animation, although uncomplicated, is truly amazing. The titular character Dumbo is one of the most influential animated characters of all time. Also, the parade sequence of the pink elephants is pretty impressive.
SimonJack
Certainly a hit in its day, Walt Disney's "Dumbo" doesn't seem to be able to hold the young audiences some years into the 21st century. I watched this film recently with some grandchildren and the youngest ones were bored with the film before halfway into it. They soon lost interest and went off to cavort or do some other things. A teenage granddaughter stayed with it and said it was one of her favorite movies. There seems to be a difference in children brought up a mere 15 or so years apart. While kids have had cartoons and children's movies and TV since the beginning, those things have changed over time. Except for the bona fide learning TV programs (alphabets, numbers, etc.), most of the fare geared to young children even on TV and in the movies is of the fast-paced variety. Lots of action, comedy, excitement. So, the slower older films such as "Dumbo" soon become boring to modern-day children. In this case I have to side with the youngsters. Maybe it's because I knew the story and the outcome, but I too found this film very slow watching it these many years later. Perhaps some of the older films, especially the animated, once considered classics are just products of their time and not enduring masterpieces. I'm sure "Dumbo" will be around – as long as some semblance of the Disney operation exists. And, maybe future generations will prove its durability. But this little heads up, especially for seniors who may be grandpa and/or grandma sitting in the future. Have another film or other option ready in case you find the little ones restless and bored over this one.
aileencorcoran
What strikes me about this film is its length and simplicity. It's only over an hour long, and the main character is silent. It's a simple story about an outcast trying to get along in an unjust world with the help of an unlikely friend. It's simple, to the point and the underlying message touched me more than it ever did as a child.Disney's fourth animated classic tells us the story of Jumbo Jr., or Dumbo. Dumbo, the large eared, big hearted child of Mrs Jumbo, is ridiculed by the rest of the elephants at the zoo. He's very close to his mother, and is devastated and left alone when she is locked away after defending her son from a nasty little boy. Rejected from his kind, and the laughing stock of the circus, Dumbo is befriended by Timoty Q Mouse, who sees nothing wrong with the youngster's apparent disfigurement. With Timothy's help, the silent elephant learns that it matters not what one looks like, but what you're made of, and that you can learn to use your weakness as your vehicle to achieve greatness.Dumbo himself is just adorable. I love silent characters like this, who convey emotion through action, expression and noises. He says so much by saying so little. I loved him.The message of hope in the face of adversity is profound and done beautifully here. It isn't hammered in. It teaches us not to judge on looks alone, but to look beyond it. An age old lesson, but done here so well that it feels fresh and new. As someone with disabilities, this film touched my heart; Timothy is truly what a great friend should be. If there was more people like him, we'd have far less problems in the world. The relationship between Dumbo and his mother is just lovely, and the song "Baby Mine" made me see how much I love my own mother. I feel for little Dumbo; my mother is my rock, and if I lost her I don't know what I'd do. He's a brave little guy, no doubt.It surprised me that the humans and circus workers didn't seem to hate Dumbo at all. It was all the elephants (and that one boy who took it too far). Your own kind can me much crueler than others.The animation is beautiful, especially the little details they added such as rain and flags blowing in the wind. I was pleased that the animators showed Dumbo and his mother rocking side to side after being separated; this is a tell tale sign of depression in elephants.The music is lovely. I've always liked the choir in these older Disney films. In the opening song, they mentioned my hometown, County Cork, which surprised me a great deal. The crow scene didn't bother me in the slightest, I actually found them quite funny. It's a product of the times, and they sing that awesome song. The Pink Elephant scene dragged on a bit too much for me, but the song was cool. I better mention that there's flashing lights in this sequence.The length of the movie is perfect. Any longer and it would have overstayed its welcome. What a lovely little film. A great introduction to Disney for children, and such a pleasure to revisit now as an adult.
