Dumbo (2019)

The review finds the remake an enchanting blend of Disney warmth and Burton’s dark whimsy, though its human lead is forgettable. It praises Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito’s chemistry, along with the film’s visual design and soaring flight scenes.

Rife finds the film’s corporate critique surprisingly bold but says its bland protagonists and muted spectacle blunt its impact. She praises the expressive CGI Dumbo and the inventive bubble-based take on “Pink Elephants On Parade.”

Ebiri finds the film compromised but enjoyable, calling it one of Tim Burton’s better recent films. He praises the circus sequences and Dumbo’s odd, endearing animal presence, while criticizing the thin story and one-dimensional human characters.

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The review gives the film a mixed verdict, finding it emotionally appealing but uneven. It singles out the film’s sentiment while criticizing its execution.

The critic calls the live-action remake an uplifting wonder and an interesting addition to Disney’s roster. They praise Burton’s blend of pathos and dazzling spectacle, along with its charming story and engaging characters.

The review finds Burton’s adaptation veers between blandness and outlandishness. It initially questions how the baby elephant will look in live action, then suggests that concern is resolved.

The critic finds the film enjoyable but says it struggles to sustain its magic. They praise Dumbo’s soaring sequences and Burton’s critique of corporate greed, while finding the human-focused parts uninteresting.

Ehrlich finds the film barely clears its own low bar, with flashes of Burton’s creative personality amid a weak script and tiresome spectacle. He especially praises Danny DeVito’s exuberant performance and the visual charm Burton brings to the circus.

Turan finds the film sweet-natured but uneven, with its familiar sentiment keeping it from fully taking flight. He praises Dumbo’s visually inventive CG design and the thrill of its flight through the circus arena.

Norman judges the remake a disappointing, anodyne failure that loses the original’s balance of sweetness and bitterness. He praises the baby elephant’s soulful eyes and says the climax briefly redeems the film.

Strong finds Burton’s adaptation a gigantic disappointment and a pale imitation of the original. She singles out the sweet baby elephant as the one thing worth watching, while criticizing the overstuffed story and lack of visual wonder.

The review finds Burton’s film conventional, bland, and ultimately compliant with Disney’s corporate expectations. It praises the imaginative circus environments, especially the elaborate Dreamland setting, while faulting the thin human characters and safe climax.

Lane finds Burton’s Dumbo mostly glum and dramatically listless, with little spark in the reunion of Burton and Keaton. He singles out Dumbo’s flying sequences as the film’s best moments, while criticizing the replacement of the original’s pink elephants with soap bubbles.

Rooney finds the remake uneven, overstuffed, and less emotionally affecting than the original. He praises the production design and costumes, while noting that the elephant only becomes the movie’s heart near the end.

Gleiberman finds the remake overburdened and emotionally forgettable, despite Dumbo himself remaining touching. He praises the flying sequences for briefly recapturing the original’s wonder.

Bradshaw calls the remake a dull, overcomplicated failure that loses the original’s charm and pathos. He particularly faults its handling of Dumbo’s separation from his mother and the drawn-out third act.

The critic finds the remake a timid, disappointing failure that lacks Burton’s distinctive touch. They single out the slapdash script and the film’s sidelining of Dumbo as major weaknesses.

Siede finds Dumbo an agreeable, open-hearted family film despite thin characters and a clumsy climax. She praises its warm performances and thoughtful update of the original’s animal-rights themes.

Kaye finds the remake tepid, weighed down by tedious human melodrama and an underused Dumbo. He praises the flying sequences as the few moments that achieve magic, pathos, and grandeur.

Kozak finds the remake disappointing, arguing that Dumbo is sidelined by shallow human characters and a plot that loses momentum. He praises Michael Keaton’s campy performance as Vandevere as one of the few elements that sustains interest.

Spiegel finds Burton’s remake uninspired and poorly focused, with Dumbo sidelined by the human drama. He praises the circus-theme-park design and Keaton and DeVito’s energetic performances.

The critic finds Burton’s remake a lifeless, throwaway adventure that lacks the original’s heart and innovation. They praise the digital Dumbo’s tangible presence, but complain that the abundance of glossy effects turns much of the film into visual mush.