Rating: 
Summary: Nice DVD, Great Film!
Review: I will not spend much time reviewing the film since it is so well known. This is Walt Disneys personal favorite. It is a lovely story about someone who is different and the the hardships he must go through and at the end what was once considered a weakness is his biggest strength. Now onto the DVD. The film transfer is fantastic considering this movie is 60 years old. The digital remastering was very well done and is up to par with Snow White and Fantasia. The 5.1 Dolby track really shines and the audio has a spacious feel and is very clean. The sub-woofer and rears are used a few times as well. The additional content is nice and is above the Gold Edition standard. Since it is a single disc it does not have the wealth of material that Snow White has but does contain a great deal. The audio commentary was very interesting and follows the film.
A must own DVD for any collection and even more so if you have kids!
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie if it weren't for the Pink Elephants
Review: Don't get me wrong... I am one of those life-long Disney movie lovers; the kind that collect every one of the movies for my children....BUT, Dumbo is just not at the top of the list when it comes to letting my 3-year-old watch it. Both my husband and I recall being frightened by the "Pink Elephants on Parade" as young children---you must admit the worms and skeletal elephants are a little weird. The rest of the movie is wonderful--the characters, songs, moral and story---but THAT part just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest, and unfortunately, causes us to shy away from adding Dumbo to our Disney collection.
Rating:
Summary: Jumbo Jr. still makes me cry
Review: The simple, straightforward story of Dumbo (or more accurately, Jumbo Jr.) still has the power to move audiences even after 60 years. All of us have felt like Jumbo Jr. at some point (if not all through) our lives. We are also hard wired to protect and care for our young so when Mrs. Jumbo fights for her son, we automatically empathise for her as well. This film works on all levels from art direction, color, mood, animation, character design score and song to the bizzare set piece "Pink Elephants on Parade" that dazzilingly displays the artists talents (in my opinion, one of the greatest segments ever animated). Truly a Disney treasure and one that everyone from 3 to 103 can enjoy over and over again.Thankfully this DVD presentation gives you many reasons to do just that. The film has been lovingly restored and looks more bright and colorful than ever! There are 2 very entertaining Silly Symphonies included (Elmer the Elephant / the Flying Mouse) that show Walt's early attempts at animating elephants and the themes that would eventually make their way into Dumbo. The video of Michael Crawford singing 'Baby Mine' is painful however and should be skipped (both Barbara Cook and Bonnie Rait have done much better work with this song). The 'Celebrating Dumbo' Featurette is very quick and light hearted with no real information on the making of the film, just peoples ideas and feelings about it. If you want a more detailed and comprehensive look at it's creation check out the commentary which gives you plenty of new information and insight. Also the conceptual drawings are fun to scroll through. This is what I expect from a special edition DVD. The film has been beautifully restored and there are many worthwhile extras all packed onto one disc. And I haven't even mentioned the Casey Jr. train! Each DVD comes with a cardboard pop out that can be folded in to the train for display. It's touches like these that put this DVD over the top. The film itself more than justifies the purchase, but the (mosttly terrific) bonus material certainly sweetens the deal. You can't go wrong with one of Disney's best, Dumbo.
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Moving Picture
Review: DUMBO is a film that I would have liked to have worked on. It has 'heart'. It has great characters, great voices, and is completely unpretentious. This last feature is, sadly, rarely found in animated films today. Are there actually people who consider this film 'unsuitable' for children since it contains scenes of drunkenness? Like the Shakespearian bowdlerizers of earlier times, they miss the point of this movie: a baby is taken from his mother and exploited by a 'bunch of clowns', and called a 'freak' by his fellow elephants DUMBO is a story about self-image and respect. This is something that is very important for younger children to learn, since they are forming their own self-images and are woefully susceptible to the comments of their peers.
Perhaps there are objections to the crows? They are from another time, but are handled with humor and restraint. Take a look at live action films from this period to see how some things were simply 'taken for granted'. Racist sentiment plays a part in this film, but it is directed at Dumbo by his fellow elephants, who consider him 'no longer an elephant' when he ruins a circus act. Crows, mice, and elephants are all equally horrified to hear that Dumbo has been made a clown--the lowest form of circus life, in their estimation. Only his mother does not mind. This is another important message for children to learn: that true love doesn't care if you aren't perfect. All of this is stated simply and in less than one hour's time. Get this disc for your children instead of the POKEMON that they may still be asking you for. You will enjoy it as well. My one complaint about this DVD is that they did not identify the artists in photos in the Backstage section. Some of these wonderful people are still around, and some are actually still working. They deserve the credit.
Rating: 
Summary: DVD needs work
Review: This DVD would not work with a High Definition wide screen TV on a DVD JVC-723 progressive scan player. It did worked with my Pioneer DV-434 just fine on a 36 inch Toshiba TV. This is the first DVD I purchased that would not worked with my JVC-723 progressive scan player. Story is cool as most know so I won't go into that here. Extra's are good. I gave it 1 stars because the DVD is incomplete for testing with DVD players. Of course, I will exchange a copy tomorrow to make sure I did not get a defective Dumbo DVD and retract my comments if that actually makes things OK. If you don't here from me by then, you can take it from me, this DVD needs work. 10/25/01
Rating: 
Summary: Done bad Dumbo?
Review: This is another well-endowed DVD release from Disney who are getting up to scratch with their DVD releases! Hurrah! The extras are fitting and informative - the 'making of' documentary is very good and well researched with analysis of the film as well as reminiscing from animators and Disney anoraks, etc. The DVD also does well on account of the inclusion of two animated shorts and the sound process used on animated features. I also like the art gallery which is extensive. The sneak peak at Dumbo II is more a sneak peak BEHIND THE SCENES of Dumbo II (no actual animated footage). Interestingly the DVD also has a trailer for Peter Pan 2: Return to Nether Land where you DO see animation. A lot of it (nice too!). Whilst I love this Anniversary Edition DVD I must admit that I think the animated menu is the most grotesque/naive attempt to animate Dumbo flying over the menu options imaginable! It looks so cheap and nasty compared with CGI circus tent! Taste Disney, taste! Overall a fine DVD - spoiled by an ugly appearance......Isn't that what Dumbo's about anyway? Wow - allegory in a Disney film. What next!
Rating:
Summary: Still fresh
Review: I hope that people are not put off by the age of this film. True, it doesn't have the jaw-dropping animation of recent films. And it doesn't have the excitement and peril of many other Disney films (Rescuers, etc.) But it is a touching story that's well-told. And the animation makes up for its lack of technology through sheer artistry. Throw in the great songs, and you get a movie that just doesn't grow old.
Rating:
Summary: Unassuming look at the genius of animated films
Review: It's short. It's sweet. It's quite possibly the most fulfilling animated film of all time, and it is still (thank god) a classic children are learning from--not just watching, but hopefully comprehending. Dumbo is one of those awesome anti-heros, up there with the Don Quixote/Bilbo Baggins/Stephen Dedalus group that, somehow, changes the world that was originally against them into a better place. Somewhat fantastical, always tender, and never pathetic, this film is a magnificent achievement: its characters are amazingly well-developed (of course with the wonderful casting of voices) and completely dynamic, even in the short time the movie runs. A sappy movie that isn't boring and stupid--I could get used to this! Go Dumbo!
Rating:
Summary: A childhood favorite that continues to please
Review: "Dumbo" has always been one of my very favorite Disney films. This tale of the little elephant with the big ears carries a valuable lesson - honor the talents of those who are different from yourself. The musical numbers, from the humorous "When I See An Elephant Fly" to the sweet lullaby "Baby Mine," are representative of Disney composers' best. The animation is outstanding, with each character's personality clearly demonstrated in his or her appearance before any dialogue is added. On a personal note, I was watching this movie with my nephew several years ago, and the importance of the movie's message was demonstrated for me in a very moving fashion. The little boy looked at me solemnly and said "I think his ears are cute. People shouldn't make fun because Dumbo is different." From the mouths of babes ... I cannot recommend this movie highly enough to Disneyphiles, families ... everyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Disney Movie Ever!!!!!!!
Review: No other Disney movie has ever captured my undivided attention as has Dumbo. These days the Disney animators just try to amaze viewers with what is pleasing to the eyes, and forget about the story. Watch the backgrounds in Dumbo and you might think that "hey this isn't very good animation!" Well, you're wrong! They did this movie by hand! No computer graphics to take away from the beautiful story of this little misunderstood elephant. If you don't love this movie you are crazy!
| 
