#4 Dumbo

Title: Dumbo

Release Date: October 23rd, 1941

Voice Cast: Edward Brophy, Verna Felton, Cliff Edwards

Plot: A circus elephant with unusually large ears overcomes ridicule and learns to fly with the help of a confident mouse.

Review: Ah, Dumbo. Appropriately, this will be a shorter review, as this was one of Disney's shortest animated films at only 64 minutes.

This film just screams "Golden Age of Animation." The animation, as I don't have to tell you, keeps getting better and better, and Dumbo is where you see it in the style most reminiscent of 40s-60s animation. Simple, bold colors have overshadowed watercolor and guoache tones, giving a much more eyecatching appearance. (Ironically, the Disney animators were on a strike during the production of Dumbo. Go figure.)

In keeping with the animation, Dumbo is a simple story that doesn't trickle too deep into cluttered plots. The messages are evident: opportunities in disguse exist, and people (or in this case, all beings) shouldn't be judged by their appearance. And all the while, it keeps you intrigued. That makes sense, though. If a story walks along a solid surface, theres little chance for you to, say, trip or sink, detaching yourself from the plot.

One minor complaint: "Pink Elephants on Parade". What? Just... what??? The song was clever, sure, but wouldn't this scene scare the living daylights out of a smaller kid? The elephants here look like ghosts; its undoubtedly haunting. Also, Disney, I'm giving you another slap on the wrist for drug references. I suppose a 21st century Dumbo would be more politically correct. (We won't even delve into the notions of racism here...)

Long story short-- or rather, short story shorter, Dumbo doesn't disappoint. (2 triple alliterations there!)

Under the Sea (Darling, It's Better...)