Disney's Dumbo review

     Dumbo, compared to the three previous Disney films, might be less of a landmark but that doesn't make it less enjoyable.  It's a colorful and fun, sometimes somber and heartwrenching, and almost always charming.

       Dumbo is the ultimate underdog as he is bullied by the other elephants, the circus performers, and circus guests and all because he has big ears.

       Fortunately for Dumbo he is befriended by one Timothy Mouse, who often steals the show with his kindness and colorful personality. 

       The humiliation and suffering Dumbo endures over the course of this very short film makes his literal rise to the heavens all the more gratifying.

      However, Dumbo is not perfect.  There are elements, specifically regarding the crows towards the film's climax, that have not aged well and might be potentially offensive to many viewers as a racist and offensive portrayal of African-Americans.

        Besides this there is a bizarre yet entertaining segment where an accidentally drunk Dumbo and Timothy hallucinate pink elephants. This scene showcases an unique animation style I personally enjoy yet it does not have anything to do with the central story of Dumbo and I feel might have possibly been an attempt to extend this very short film to reach the hour mark usually thought to be minimum length of a feature film.

      In terms of family friendliness, it is appropriate for all ages yet parents should be aware of the racist element in the film, the scene involving Dumbo intoxicated and some frightening elements during the pink elephant song.

     Overall, Dumbo is a great film, a timeless and heartwarming classic even if it was not as ambitious an undertaking as Disney's earlier films. I rank it a 9 out of 10.

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