Dumbo (1941)
Sometimes, it's what sets you apart that matters.
Walt Disney's Dumbo is the story of a timid elephant who was teased about his huge ears. When his mother defends him against prying children at the circus where they work, she is locked away and kept from her baby. Sad and alone, Dumbo soon befriends a mouse who shows him that he is special and should be proud of his differences. Together they have fun and soon realize that Dumbo's difference (having big ears) gave him the ability to fly and this quickly makes him the star of the circus.
This is truly a Disney classic and a must for any parent (or anyone, for that matter) who wants to show a movie that promotes self acceptance in a image-conscious society. As in all Disney movies, the animation is magnificent and the songs endearing. It is hard to believe that they incorporate a scene where Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse accidentally get drunk and spend a good portion of the film hallucinating (this is where Dumbo flies for the first time), but it is the platform for animation that is psychedelic, colorful and completely imaginative. It's cute and works well into the film, but it's funny to watch as an adult.
Dumbo withstands the test of time as a film that can be enjoyed by all generations and one that has a good message behind it. The 60th Anniversary Edition DVD has plenty of extras including a DVD Storybook, animated shorts, sing-along songs, and more that should make any Dumbo fan very happy.
Written by: V. Alexandra de F. Szoenyi
Reviewers Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 9.50
Reader's Votes: 2
Added: 9-Aug-2004
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