Review: Dumbo - Visualing stunning live action remake that will please all the family!

After a week of sleepless nights after watching Us last week at Tralee Omniplex, I was delighted to get back to fun family fare this week with Tim Burton's live action remake of the classic Disney tale Dumbo the movie of choice.
Accompanied by the whole family including my own mini co-critics in Ellie (aged 8 ) and Luke (aged 4), I knew that only the best effort by visual maestro Burton would pass muster and leave the whole family satisfied.
This all-new grand live-action adventure expands on the beloved Disney story when Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose over sized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits Dumbo for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.
Dumbo is the first of three live action remakes of animated classics with Aladdin and The Lion King following on later this year so the pressure was on for Burton to produce something unique as he was tinkering with a well known animated classic that has held a special place in audiences hearts for a long long time. That fact, along with the heavily marketing and advertising that went along with this remake meant that audiences were eagerly anticipating what this iconic and unique director would produce.
Whereas, the original Dumbo has not been outclassed here (an impossible task!) there is lots to like in a near two hour visual extravaganza of entertainment in a style that only Burton could produce.
The backdrop, effects and visual set pieces are amazing and the storyline continues at a pace that never bores. Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito and Eva Green also acquit themselves well, with Michael Keaton perhaps over egging it a bit as the villain of the piece. The star of the show inevitably is Dumbo and Tim Burton can indeed be proud of his live action creation that simply steals every scene he is in.
Whilst, Dumbo may not have everyone shouting from the roof tops ("It's no Lego Movie 2" - I was informed by my co-critics!) , there is plenty to entertain and excite in what is a fun family feature of pure cinematic escapism!
✹✹✹1/2