MOVIE: Dumbo is an uplifting classic

IF you have to pick only one film to see this week, you may find yourself faced with a simple question: do I want to be inspired or horror-struck? 

Do I feel like sinking deep down into my cinema seat in trepidation, or flying high on a storytelling magic carpet of imagination?

‘Dumbo’, from Disney Studios, is based on the 1941 animated feature of the same name, featuring the floppy eared baby elephant who learns he has the special gift of flight. 

Although inspired by the original cartoon, there is a freshness to this retelling that is satisfying on a number of different levels. 

Quirky director Tim Burton is at home in the odd circus setting, and together with writer Ehren Kruger (Transformers 3 and 4), they deliver a nice balance of fantasy, humour and drama. 

The strong headline cast of Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Eva Green and Michael Keaton all help to create the magical mood, but it’s the gliding CGI elephant who steals the show. 

And the reason the story works so well is that Dumbo is us, we are Dumbo. If you’ve ever had children, been a child, thought you were never good enough, there is something in this movie for you. We award it a review score of 4 high flying stars. 

Speaking of ‘Us’, there are no airborne creatures in this horror from ‘Get Out’ writer/director, Jordan Peele, although that would be a good way to avoid the earthbound scissor wielding slasher zombies that feature at the story’s heart. 

We say slasher zombies, but don’t let that put you off, there is much more to this film than mindless violence. A very strong central performance from Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide for one, an atmospheric soundtrack and an interesting final twist that you may or may not see coming. 

While not as strong as Peele’s first cinematic offering, ‘Us’ does provide an enjoyable mix of horror and intrigue, as you try to figure out why Adelaide is so frightened, and why the people standing outside look identical to her and her family. We award ‘Us’, 3.5 chilling stars.

Paul O’Rourke