I had only seen Disney’s original animated film Dumbo (1941) in January for the first time, knowing that this version was approaching. I like the original, but don’t love it — especially the fact that the young elephant gets drunk, ostensibly just to see the pink elephant parade that the animators imagined would be cool (it was not). This new, live-action version manages to work some of the original’s classic moments into its story quite nicely, especially that pink elephant parade, which now makes a lot more sense.

Tim Burton’s film is as subversive as any of his others, employing the story of an elephant with ears so big that it can fly into a parable about the dangers of wealth and privilege controlling, and destroying, the individual and the wonderful differences that make us all unique. I found his vision of the ultimate amusement park, Dreamland, quite enthralling, and yet I was unsurprised and not bothered at all when inevitably it had to be destroyed in order to save Dumbo and her mother, redeem Holt Farrier (one-armed Colin Farrell) and put megalomaniac V. A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) in his rightful place.

It is easy to see, I think, what drew Burton to this mainstream assignment, for it dovetails perfectly with his offbeat sensibilities and love of all things strange and different. He is able to create an entire Dreamland that can thrill viewers, yet undermine it with the harsh realities and cruelties it requires to bring the fantasy to vivid life. The pathos innate in this scenario develops naturally, without being forced, and some moments are truly breathtaking.

I’m not sure where I stand on Disney deciding to remake its biggest animated hits as live-action features (part of me screams, “Why?” even as I imagine the accountants counting all the money pouring in) — but this is an example where the artistry justifies the effort. I like this version more than the original, but that may be because I never saw the original as a child and thus never developed strong feelings about that original. Having seen both versions this year, I can objectively state that the new one is the better one, in my humble opinion. ☆ ☆ ☆. 17 July 2019.