Dumbo (1941)

Walt Disney thrived on bringing memorable stories that would, in turn, become easily recognizable among the public. By turning interesting ideas and concepts into a profit, Walt and his team of animators delivered some of the greatest animated movies ever made. And 1941's “Dumbo” is a prime example of not only delivering , solid animation, but great storytelling in the process. When watching the movie, one gets a sense of wonder at what creativity went into making this film a reality. Even after 80 years, this movie still holds up very well. Anything can happen, and that's the charm of this movie: it is not bound by studio executives, but rather creative control to let go and do whatever they want. “Dumbo” is a fantastic treat for anyone that can enjoy the modesty of why Walt Disney and his team made such a creative feature.

The story has a mother elephant receiving newborn son unto the world, as she and several other animals are working for the circus. Unfortunately, her son has a major problem: his ears are huge! Yet, motherly instincts prevail, and she and her son, named Dumbo, continue putting on a show for the circus. However, an incident involving Dumbo lands his mother in solitary confinement, and now he resorts to a mouse named Timothy for a friend. And sooner or later, Dumbo will find out that those big ears of his may lead to something that is very important later on.

“Dumbo” is simply a masterpiece, there is no question about it. In fact, where does one begin describing the praise for this movie?

Well, for one thing, the whole production feels very simple, and because of this, it feels very relatable. The design of the movie feels more like a cartoon, than any other Disney movie both prior and after the making of this film. The characters are noticeable as they have a very cartoonish quality to them, but also displaying a lot of emotion with what they are given. On top of this, each animated sequence is creative in their own right; the most notable example being the Pink Elephants sequence near the end of the film, where anything goes. This is a chance for the animators to go all out with their drawings and styles.

Combining the above with a simplistic story, that's very easy to follow, “Dumbo” offers up a tale that pretty much anyone can know, and catch on to. It is a tale of an outcast trying to fit into society, despite having an abnormality that he has. There are even some quiet moments that let the audience take in the emotional aspect of the film. From making, you laugh with the crows, to crying along with the mother, this film more than delivers the impact it gives emotionally. And the entire production only lasts an hour!

The music is also major plus for this production. From the lively orchestrated soundtrack that evokes the feeling of being at the circus, to the memorable songs, “Dumbo” is simply one of the best sounding movies Disney has put out.

But the biggest shock of all is that this film was made during one of the roughest periods of Disney history. In 1941, the same year that this movie got released, the animators at the Disney company went on strike, and nearly halted production. Luckily, things got resolved, but a great deal of creative talent was lost. Fortunately, we have this magnificent film that honors their legacy.

There are a few things wrong with the feature, but they are considered nitpicks. The story does jump around all over the place, and there are some animation errors, but that doesn't ruin the whole experience of the entire feature.

What can I say about “Dumbo” that hasn't already been talked about? It's a perfect movie. I definitely recommend it for anyone and to everyone by saying that they should at least see it once in their lifetime. You won't regret it.