DUMBO: 70TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
(G)
MOVIE: ***** (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: ***** (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
Few Disney movies continue to make me cry all the way into middle age, but “Dumbo” is one such film. It’s a beautiful classic Disney story about an elephant born with huge ears, and it dares to ask if such an elephant can fly. It’s got some politically incorrect elements (including a drunk moment that leads into one of the most visionary elements in a classic Disney film ever, as well as some marginally racist crows), so I’m glad to see Disney standing behind this film and not burying it like it did with “Song of the South.”
I’ve seen “Dumbo” projected, on VHS, on DVD and now on Blu-ray, and it’s a beautiful movie, given the full platinum edition treatment by the Mouse House. This is such a charming movie and inspirational for everyone to watch. It’s a must-have for any collection in a household with kids… or without them, for that matter.
The included DVD and Blu-ray have tons of special features, many of which came from the previous DVD special edition. These include audio commentary, the “Taking Flight: The Making of Dumbo” featurette, “The Magic of Dumbo” featurette about the Disneyland ride, “Celebrating Dumbo” featurette,” art galleries, two animated shorts (“The Flying Mouse” and “Elmer Elephant”) and some set-top games.
There’s also Blu-ray experience elements, including “Disney View” for the 4:3 presentation on widescreen televisions and the Cine Explore experience. Finally, a deleted scene and deleted song, new to this edition, are included as well.