ReelTalk Movie Reviews  


New Reviews
Beauty
Elvis
Lightyear
Spiderhead
Jurassic World Domini...
Interceptor
Jazz Fest: A New Orle...
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue ...
more movies...
New Features
Poet Laureate of the Movies
Happy Birthday, Mel Brooks
Score Season #71
more features...
Navigation
ReelTalk Home Page
Movies
Features
Forum
Search
Contests
Customize
Contact Us
Affiliates
Advertise on ReelTalk

Listen to Movie Addict Headquarters on internet talk radio Add to iTunes

Buy a copy of Confessions of a Movie Addict



Main Page Movies Features Log In/Manage


Rate This Movie
 ExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellent
 Above AverageAbove AverageAbove AverageAbove Average
 AverageAverageAverage
 Below AverageBelow Average
 Poor
Rated 2.99 stars
by 901 people


ReelTalk Movie Reviews
The Ears Have It
by Betty Jo Tucker

Children of all ages can learn to celebrate individual differences by watching Dumbo, Walt Disney’s heartwarming animated movie about an elephant born with ears big enough to wrap around his whole body. What starts out as a handicap ends up being the very thing that makes Dumbo something special -- the world’s only flying elephant. Clearly, those huge ears represent any unusual characteristic a youngster might be ashamed of or teased about. After viewing this film for the first time in a number of years, I realize it’s based on the same inspirational theme found in one of my all-time favorite movies, Simon Birch.

Of course, as in most Disney efforts, there’s a ton of fun added to make Dumbo entertaining for the whole family. With its colorful circus setting and quirky characters, this short movie -- only 60 minutes long -- is easy to like. Timothy Mouse, Mrs. Jumbo, Casey (the plucky I-think-I-can, I-knew-I-could train), a group of jivin’ crows, and the adorable Dumbo himself (who never speaks a word but communicates everything with those expressive eyes) work their charms on even the most jaded of viewers.

Dumbo looks almost like an antidote to the more classical Fantasia (a Disney film made prior to this one), which failed to resonate with mainstream audiences at the time. The animation in Dumbo comes across as simple and appealing -- except for the famous “Pink Elephant” sequence. That section of the movie appears quite sophisticated even by today’s standards and seems a bit inappropriate for such an unpretentious little film.

While Dumbo's musical numbers -- “When I See an Elephant Fly,” “Baby Mine,” “Casey Junior,” and the opening stork song -- are not as memorable as those in many other Disney movies, they fit the story well. However, I’m surprised the movie won an Academy Award for Best Musical Score in 1941. (Note to self: check that year’s list of nominees before throwing peanuts.)

A new Big Top DVD Edition of Dumbo will be available on June 6, 2006. It boasts a veritable extravaganza of bonus treats including a DisneyPedia about circus animals, a DVD Storybook (“Dumbo’s Big Discovery”), Sing Along Songs, a music video, two animated shorts (“Elmer Elephant” and “The Flying Mouse”), a “Celebrating Dumbo" featurette, and a Dumbo Art Gallery.

No matter what your age, enjoy!

(Released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment and rated “G” as suitable for all audiences. Bonus materials not rated.)     


                                                                                                                                                                               
 
© 2024 - ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Website designed by Dot Pitch Studios, LLC