You have something very rare. You have wonder. You have mystique. You have magic.

As most of the people who know me are aware, I am one of the worlds biggest Disney fans (Despite having not been to Walt Disney World). I grew up on the classic films; The Lion King, Beauty and The Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame being just a few of my favourites, it’s so hard to choose just one!

When I first heard that they were remaking Dumbo, I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t overly fussed. It wasn’t one of the videos I had as a child that had to be replaced on multiple occasions because I’d watched it so much the tape wore out. For me it was purely another way of Hollywood showing its run out of original ideas, so it had to rely on a popular classic reboot to continue making money.

To be perfectly honest, before I rewatched it last night, I cannot say that I remember anything of the classic storyline other than the Pink Elephants, and that was only because it gave me nightmares as a child. From memory though, it was a film that my mum thoroughly enjoyed (though that may have been to torture me into behaving), and with its release falling around Mother’s Day, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with my mum (and sister).

Because I couldn’t recollect much of the original film, I didn’t really have any expectations when I walked in to the cinema. I’m glad that was the case though, because it was a really beautiful film that left me leaving the cinema with that warm fuzzy feeling only Disney films seem able to produce.

From what I could remember of the original film when I watched the remake, there were hints toward it, scenes that reminisced with the older audience remaining within the film. The terrifying Pink Elephants of my childhood were made much less scary and more intriguing and sweet. The most touching scene that made the cut in the 2019 version was the moment where Dumbo is cradled by his mother’s trunk through the mad elephant cage. It still managed to bring a tear to my eye as the original did last night. It was really lovely to see that some of the more memorable moments from the film will live on in the hearts of a younger generation.

Dumbo, as a character, was just as (if not more) heartwarming and adorable. More humanised than he was in the 1941 film, despite it being live action. His interaction with the Farrier children made him endearing and kind, despite the mockery that was made of him. Can’t say the boyfriend was particularly happy when I came home and told him I wanted a baby because Dumbo was so cute. The only thing I found slightly frustrating was the the story didn’t seem to centre around him, it was more centred around his human companions.

Another character who I thoroughly enjoyed and am pleased to see more of this type of character making their way into children’s films, was Milly Farrier. This beautiful little girl who’s parents had worked in the circus since before her and her brother were born. She had grander ideas than just becoming another show girl. It was lovely to see that such a determined little girl never let go of her dreams, and giving in to do what her father wanted of her. Instead she educated him into believing that she could do so much more with her mind than with her beauty. Young girls these days need more role models like this, who are more than just a pretty face. Very reminiscent of Tarzan’s Jane, but far less damsel in distress.

There wasn’t much in the way of obstacles for the main characters unfortunately. Unlike many kids films these days, it was a very simple storyline, despite its fleshing out, which gave it much more structure compared to the earlier version. Every issue they came across was overcome with ease, an example of the being their escape from the flaming Big Top, which resolved itself by Dumbo simply spraying water around the edges of the fire.

All in all, I enjoyed the film far more than I expected. Despite the terrible reviews the film has received, I do think that there is an age difference that needs to be considered. Despite growing up on the Disney Classic films, the ones that really stuck with me and became some of my all time favourite films were (I hate to say it) the more modern stories, where there was more to the story than just following someones life with a mild uplift at the end.

If this reboot of Dumbo is anything to go by though, the rest of the Disney films to be released this year are worth the anticipation surrounding them, to the point where I’m reconsidering my boycott of The Lion King.