Review of Dumbo (1941) by Shane D — 05 Nov 2009

A genuine Disney classic, Film #59 of 70, Dumbo has that good old fashioned Disney look and feel, which has really pretty much all but dissapeared. I know that the new release of The Princess & The Frog is attempting to use the old Disney animation model, but there is something about the really old Disney films, the way they look, the way the animation works that really takes you back.

Now obviously, it was released in 1941 so it doesn't take me that far back, but in the early 80s, when I was a kid, Disney-ana was still huge and all of the horses in the Disney stable were played on repeat.

Dumbo was never really one of my favourites at the end of the day, and watching it now again as an adult after 20 years of not seeing it, I must admit to being slightly bored. I will cut it some slack however, as 6 days and almost 60 films in, I'm probably not in any state to give reviews based on how attentive I was to detail.

I guess Disney have really been replaced somewhat, from my point of view, mainly because of inactivity. I mean I know they own Pixar and a bunch of other proprieties, but they havent done something of worth for themselves for a long time.

Dreamworks even have them licked. I'm just astonished there has been no usage of their mouse mascot, let alone his duck pal. Surely, those guys are ripe for an assault on the kids of today. Shoot, I reckon any kid under the age of 20 probably wouldnt even know who Huey, Duey and Louie are! Imagine that?!? Gonna try and hunt down a copy of the Jungle Book and Alice in Wonderland to watch after this now.

..for old times sake.