Better Late Than Never: Review of The Natural

Classic from the Vault

The Natural (1984)

Director: Barry Levinson

By Alex Watson

Baseball may be a sport that will never catch on in the UK, but we sure seem to like the movies that portray it, such as Moneyball (reviewed on this blog last year) and the characters on display always seem to give us unlikely heroes likes Charlie Sheen’s Ricky ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughan in Major League and Kevin Costner veteran catcher, Ray ‘Crash’ Davis in Bull Durham. But few have raised our spirits that the quintessential comeback kid Roy Hobbs in Barry Levinson’s iconic sports drama The Natural.

In 1923 up and coming baseball player Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is given a tryout with the Chicago Cubs and looks set to become a big star, but a liaison with mysterious woman Harriet (Barbara Hershey) ends his dream when she shoots him and then leaps to her death! But in 1939, 35 year old Hobbs is given a chance with major league team the New York Knights. At first his comeback is dismissed as a joke by many- but when Hobbs shows his tremendous hitting ability, he will turn the Knights season around. But his success will come at a great cost to himself!

Many people will argue whether The Natural deserves to be among the elite sport movies of all time, but its story and redemptive theme make it great viewing all the way and with its iconic score by Randy Newman, it is impossible not to love this movie. The film begins idyllically with the young Hobbs carving his fabled bat ‘Wonderboy’ from a tree which has been struck by lightning and as he travels to Chicago we see a man with his whole life before him- but Harriet invites him to her room, we are given an almighty jolt and a dream comes crashing down!

When he makes his return 16 years later, Hobbs is a shadow of the man he once was and when he meets his grouchy old time coach Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley) he snidely mocks him with “You don’t start playing the game at your age, you retire!” and confines him to the bench. It’s only when Hobbs literally ‘knocks the cover off the ball’ during a rain soaked game that Fisher realises that he has a star in his midst- much to the irritation of star player ‘Bump’ Bailey (Michael Madsen). But his success comes at a price and he gets involved with Fishers daughter Memo (Kim Basinger) and crooked gambler Gus Sands (Darren McGavin) his fine form is threatened!

Redemption plays a heavy part in the story of The Natural and Hobbs is determined to make right on the previous wrongs he has committed such as leaving behind his childhood sweetheart Iris (Glenn Close) and it doesn’t help having notorious sports journalist Max Mercy looking into his past after they had a chance encounter years earlier. Under Levinson’s smart and measured direction, Hobbs is never once made out to be a golden boy and his weathered face shows the ghosts of the past that he is trying to escape and even though he comes under immense previous from devious owner ‘The Judge’ to throw games, Hobbs stays true to his values and as he make his winning run at the films glorious finale- we know he has achieved his dream and in the process won our hearts!

Robert Redford makes for a perfect hero as Roy Hobbs and holds the screen with effortless charm, many Hollywood starlets passed on this role before him, but Levinson could not have chosen better than Redford, who through this proves he is a true legend of screen. Wilford Brimley is equally excellent as gruff old man Pop, an underrated supporting actor of years gone by; Brimley makes for an excellent father figure to Hobbs and through his constant groaning of “I should have been a farmer!” it provides the movie some great comedic moments.

Among the star studded supporting cast is a typical solid performance from fellow screen legend Robert Duvall as Max Mercy, a man who lives for a good story regardless of what effect it has on someone’s career. Although Basinger and Close are fine as the ladies in Hobbs life, its Barbara Hershey who has the biggest effect in her brief screen time as the alluring Harriet and from the moment we meet her, we know they will be trouble!

The Natural is not only one of the finest baseball films ever made, it is one of the sports genres true greats, yes in today’s film world it will be probably seemed clichéd, but is impact and influence are undeniable and should stand as compulsory viewing on how to never give up on your dreams- no matter what curves life throws at you!

Sports People Who Deserve Their Own Film

 

 

Mario Lemieux: The story of probably the most skilful hockey player that the NHL has ever produced who famously played through a history of bad health problems such chronic back pain and most famously Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (which caused him to initially retire in 1997). But he returned in 2000 to play the game he loved and also save his team The Pittsburgh Penguins from financial ruin by deferring his own salary to become the only ever Player/CEO in the league. This kind of story would make for the most exciting and emotional ride of the sports genre- how has this movie not been made yet?

Alex Zanardi: The story of the Italian racing ace would be the ultimate example of triumph in the face of adversity- his recovery from having both his legs amputated in an Indy Car crash in Germany in 2001 was one of the most horrific moments in racing history. But his return to the track has been an incredible story and the wins are still coming thick and fast- his double gold medals win in Handcycling in the 2012 London Paralympics was the cherry on top of this amazing tale!  If ever there was a feel-good tale tailor-made for Hollywood then it’s this one.

Michael Jordan: Greatest basketball player of all time calls time on the prime of his career which sees  numerous NBA winning seasons to go pursue his all time passion of playing baseball! Hoops great then languishes in the obscurity of minor league hell, so returns to the court to guide to Chicago Bulls to more glory- quits again! Years later he returns again to prove himself one last time. Would sell tickets on the name alone- plus this would be the ultimate testament to what a great athlete Jordan was!

Bert Trautmann: After his death a week ago today, a film about the former German Luftwaffe Paratrooper turned hero goalkeeper for Manchester City deserves a cinematic outing. His initially hostile reception by English fans when first arriving after world war two would make the perfect segment into his gradual acceptance by City fans and today he his holds idol like status. But it would be his incredibly display during the 1956 FA Cup final where he played the final 17 minutes with a broken neck that would make the most unforgettable viewing. This display of iron nerve was never seen again in English football.

George Foreman: The story of Big George would make a great comeback tale as he went from being one of the most feared Heavyweight Champ of his time to then being thrashed by Muhammed Ali in Zaire in 1974! But his return to the ring at 40 years old would make for a heart warming climax which culminates in his reclaiming of the title against Michael Moorer (though somewhat fortuitously) and his inventing of grilling machine- makes much green as a result! With a some comedic touches this could be a solid entry in the boxing genre!

Sebastien Coe: Being the mastermind behind the overwhelmingly successful London 2012 Olympics Lord Seb deserves an outing on the silver screen as he is one of the finest runners that Britain has ever produced and his rivalry with Steve Ovett would make for intense drama, particularly during their 800 & 1500 metre races at the 1980 Moscow games. His winning and determined spirit more than qualifies him for an entertaining and engrossing drama.

 

COULD BE INTERESTING I SUPPOSE…

Steven Bradbury: Australian Speed Skater becomes accidental hero during 2002 Salt Lake Olympics due to freak accident in the final- crowd goes wild with delight!

Tonya Harding: Explosive and fiery figure skater struggles in the face of rival Nancy Kerrigan- gets hubby to beat her up to succeed, gets discovered and is disgraced as a result! Later becomes lady boxer.

Ron Hextall: The most insane goalie ever to grace the NHL, who clocked up over 700 penalty minutes but also widely considered one of the games great shot stoppers- his revenge hit on Chris Chelios among others would make him the perfect love/hate figure.

 

Everything’s Gone Green: Review of A Field in England

A Field in England

Director: Ben Wheatley

By Alex Watson

 

The last time a Ben Wheatley film featured on this blog, it was met with wild excitement after my preview screening of the amazing Sightseers (ranked number 3 overall in my Best of 2012 list). So once again the man from Billericay graces our screens again with possibly his most daring effort yet as he ventures again into the unknown territory of the English civil war in his movie A Field in England which had the distinction of being released in Cinema, DVD, Film On Demand and shown on TV on the very day it was released! But how will this experiment translate on screen?

In 1648 at the height of English Civil war, three soldiers (Ryan Pope, Richard Glover & Peter Ferdinando) find cowardly scholar Whitehead (Reece Shearsmith) hiding in the bushes. Together the four stray away from the battle into a strange field where they come across notorious Irish alchemist O’Neill (Michael Smiley) who manipulates them into searching for treasure buried somewhere in the field. But as events transpire, things begin to take an odd turn for all the men!

A Field in England is one of the most striking visual films that we are likely to see this year and all throughout there is a weird ambiance surrounding the movie which gives it a memorable ghostly. The field the men have drifted into has an un-godly feel to it and it becomes clear as the films progresses that God may have abandoned the men in their quest. The film begins explosively as the gun powder fills the air, we find Whitehead cowering the bushes avoiding the front line.

When O’Neill is introduced, events take a dark and sinister turn as he through his constant sneering menace and trickery, he is able is trick the men into continually digging for treasure. Though as the men dig deeper it is hinted that it may not be gold they strike! To get his way no method is too low and this leads to one of the horrifyingly fascinating shots of the movie as Whitehead appears grinning maniacally from his tent after wails of pain from torture moments before- through Wheatley we get a stunning five minute slow motion shot which emphasises the horrors to come.

But although it is an absorbing ride, A Field in England will not be to everyone’s taste and its scholarly dialogue and subject may alienate lovers of mainstream cinema. Also its not helped by an ambiguous finale which contains many flickering images which will probably have people eyeballs twitching in discomfort. To enjoy this ride you will need to take Wheatley’s film with a pinch of salt and for those who will stick with this movie will be rewarded with a thoroughly thought provoking film which will leave you mulling its subject and meaning over as you sit in silence listening to ‘Baloo My Boy’ playing over the end credits.

The performances given are ones that are very forceful and surprisingly the main actors on show are not ones known for their ability to play it straight. Reece Shearsmith will come as the biggest surprise to many as he gives a great example of intensity as spineless Whitehead, known for his more gothic comic roles, Shearsmith has great presents and shed light on another side of his abilities. Wheatley regular Michael Smiley is equally impressive as cold and commanding O’Neill, his underplaying of this role works magnificently and right through Smiley is able to conjure up a magical sense of danger- not bad work for the most known to audiences as pill popping biker Tyres on Spaced.

Ben Wheatley’s A Field in England will be one of the more memorable pieces of work we see from British cinema this year, although it will most likely go largely unseen by audiences, I can guarantee this will develop into a cult film in years to come and its Werner Herzog inspiration and intelligent subject will aid debate on the core meaning by film lovers alike. If you get a chance give this a whirl, though you may want to get your eyes test afterwards though!

Friends Reunited: Review of The World’s End

The World’s End

Director: Edgar Wright

By Alex Watson

 

Love them or hate them, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright have succeeded in capturing the attention of a generation with their famed ‘Cornetto Trilogy’ which provided us with lines which will be quoted until the end of time “You’ve got red on you!” and belly laughs which have become the toast of modern British comedy in cinema. Well rejoice fans of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz because the gangs all here again as the trilogy comes full circle and this week we see five old friends re-unite to conquer the pub crawl to end all crawls in The World’s End.

Gary King (Simon Pegg) is a middle aged man still re-living the glorious night when him and his four other friends attempted (and failed) to complete the infamous Golden Mile which involved 12 pints in 12 different pubs. Still ashamed by this failure, Gary convinces his old chums Andy (Nick Frost), Steven (Paddy Considine), Oliver (Martin Freeman) and Peter (Eddie Marsan) to re-unite and complete their unfinished business. But as pints are downed and old wounds resurface, the fivesome soon realize their home town has become taken over by aliens who are intent on spoiling their fun!

The World’s End will surprise many diehard fans as for the most part it doesn’t follow the same successful formula as the films before it and instead tries something new altogether! The first big shock is in the beginning after a hilarious recount by Gary of their initial attempt to tame ‘The Mile’ the camera cuts away to reveal him in therapy! The laughs are still there to be had, but this film has more twists than we care to count and in some places and has some dramatic tonal twists which lead it into more emotionally charged territory. At first many will feel this will be a rather flat ride but when the film hits its stride midway through it begins to fire as the town’s inhabitants reveal their true colours (blue as it happens).

But the spirit of the trio hasn’t deserted this film and there are still plenty of memorable moments to take away from this trilogy closer, such as the old Ford Granada (nicknamed The Beast) that Gary still insists on driving with The Soup Dragons playing on cassette and a great sequence when Gary attempts fight aliens in bar without spilling a drop from his pint- his face during this sequence is a joy to behold as he continually held back. The final sequence will hold the most laughs though as the boys do battle with the chief alien by quoting the opening lines to Loaded by Primal Scream!

The inclusion of Oliver’s sister Sam (Rosamund Pike) also works like a charm as Steven and Gary fight for her attention as one of them recounts a glorious encounter in the disabled toilet years previous. Steven drunk confession of love is one that will seem painfully familiar to many blokes around the planet, although initially uncomfortable, the relationship changes from one that gives the movie some needed heart.

The partnership of Pegg and Frost again is the centre of the movie and their easy going chemistry again makes this viewing a lot easier. Pegg is the stand out performer as Gary, a man still lost in time with his punky outfit and Sisters of Mercy t-shirt, but his performance isn’t all one way and as the pints mount up, Gary’s fears and insecurity come forward leading to a painful confession! The rest of the friends are equally strong but are all shown as slaves to the working life, Eddie Marsan’s shy Peter is the stand out, a man who is a pushover 20 years on and still traumatised by the school bully he encounters. Also look out for a clutch of great cameos from familiar faces Steve Oram, Reece Shearsmith and most notably, a former 007 (which one will be withheld until you watch it!).

In conclusion, The World’s End will probably not be the film you were expecting to see, but it is still nevertheless a great closer to this trilogy and fans will go away feel satisfied inside. Pegg, Frost and Wright are probably not done with each other just yet I can expect to see them reunite sooner rather than later. So pull out your copy of Screamadelica, dust off your old 90’s band t-shirts and enjoy the ride because by the end you’ll be wishing you had a Ford Granada too!

Ride of Your Life: Review of Collateral

Classic from the Vault

Collateral (2004)

Director: Michael Mann

By Alex Watson

 

A hit man is a character which always brings an ice cold chill to any film and some of the most impressive modern day film characters have been hit men such as cold and conflicted killer Leon, ruthless Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men and neurotic Martin Blank in under-rated comedy Grosse Pointe Blank. But there is one killer that has still the ability to un-nerve us and it comes in the form of contract killer Vincent in Michael Mann’ s tense thriller Collateral which would provide us with one of the most suspenseful taxi rides of the 21^st century!

Cabbie Max (Jamie Foxx) is a man who has big dreams of owning his own limo company, but after 12 years of being stuck driving a taxi around Los Angeles, his hopes are beginning to fade! But his life will change in one dramatic night when Vincent (Tom Cruise) steps into his cab and offers him $600 to make five different stops before he has to catch a 6am flight out of LA. But quickly what supposed to be a straight forward job turns into a nightmare as Max quickly realizes Vincent a hitman and he will have to remain calm to survive.

In Collateral, Michael Mann once again makes the City of Angels his own with another well constructed and gripping thriller. By shooting in digital film and setting the majority of the action to the confines of cab works wonders for this because under Vincent’s steely gaze, Max has no escape from the horrendous events that follow! There is a calm start to the movie as we see Max going about his business and Vincent arrive in LA and as he commandeers his cab, we feel that we are being set up for an odd couple scenario. But when the first of many murders occurs it gives us a mighty shock to the system!

The pairing of Max and Vincent provides the beating heart of the movie and both are literally polar opposites, Vincent is the very definition of a cold blooded killer and upon killing his first victim Max cries out that he has kill him only for Vincent to retort “No I shot him, the bullets and fall killed him!” also without words he continually reminds Max of the grim fate awaiting him should he disobey, in one scene he visits his prisoners mother in hospital and pretends to be his friend! Max however is no fool and his character possess a clever edge as he continually looks for an exit and gradually he begins to push back against Vincent’s domination and becomes more assertive as events go on.

No one does a finale better than Mann does and the one given in Collateral is truly memorable as no matter what does to be rid of Vincent, this man keeps coming back and nothing will stop him from completing his mission, even if it means killing Max! What are given is a breathtaking game of cat and mouse which will conjure up memories of the airport finale of Heat as Max attempts to escape his foe on the metro train leading to a conclusion that will divide many!

The side story of LAPD Detective Fanning (Mark Ruffalo) being on the pairs trail is a nice addition as it adds another side to Mann’s film and as he continues to close the gap as the bodies stack up.

Jamie Foxx grabbed an Oscar nomination for his impressive turn as Max and it was well deserved as he character goes from being a meek and reluctant accomplice to fighting back and growing a set which frustrates Vincent’s plans! But it’s Tom Cruise who should have been rewarded as he turns in career best performance. Playing against type, Cruise’s silver haired assassin sheds all traces of charm and is just down to business all the way through and this cynical performance will shock many of the his fans but it proves just what this man is capable of with the right material. Also look out for a blink and you’ll miss it cameo from Jason Statham in the beginning.

Michael Mann’s Collateral proves just what a masterful director he is and under the neon night lights of Los Angeles, he brings us one of the best thrillers of the last ten years. Just remember in your next taxi ride to tip your driver handsomely, lord knows who his next customer will be!

Robopocalypse Now: Review of Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

By Alex Watson

Earths extinction is once again upon us this week and it again involves giant fighting robots… no wait come back! There is no Michael Bay or Optimus Prime involved in this one instead Mexican visionary Guillermo Del Toro brings us his vision of the apocalypse and in this one involves creatures coming from the sea to threaten humans everywhere in Pacific Rim which after an epic trailer campaign promises to bring action on a grand scale. But will there be anything new under the bashing of steel?

When a series of devastating attack occurs from oversize monster from beneath the ocean (nicknamed Kaiju’s) the world’s best scientists develop the Jaeger program headed by Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) which consists of gigantic robots piloted by two man teams which allows them do battle with the beasts! But as human begin to win the fights; the beasts begin to evolve which seems to doom humanity to a watery grave! Former pilot Raleigh Brackett (Charlie Hunnam) is recalled to do battle, but will his skills be enough to save the people?

Pacific Rim certainly delivers on a big scale and fans of a big and dumb blockbuster will be given more than their monies worth! Del Toro’s love of B movie action is evident from the very beginning and the action that follows is executed with glee from the Hellboy director. The scenes of robots doing battle with the various hideous monsters send a shiver down the spine as numerous cities descend into rubble during the heat of combat, in particular a stunning final showdown through a rain swept Hong Kong. But we learn these are no ordinary creatures and they might just be smarter than they appear- with devastating results!

But although tremendously entertaining, the plot is rather paper thin and seems to rely mainly the thrills that come from the fight scenes and the techno-babble that follows with such fancy terms as ‘Drift Compatibility’ are never fully explained to us. They are also saddled with a truly wooden script which apart from giving the occasional zinger fails to raise this film above the standard big budget thriller.

The development of the characters in is equally very underdeveloped and during the wave of chaos, we never truly get chance to get to know our heroes. Although the names they are given are very imaginative, we aren’t given anything truly special. Raleigh is a tough soldier but his grizzled image doesn’t add anything to the story and the standard inclusion of his losing a loved one feels like a typical clique! Pentecost has great authority buts seems to spend his duration of screen time just barking out orders, though he does get given one of the movies best line as he tells his fellow workers “Today, we are cancelling the apocalypse!” The biggest crime of belongs to other Jaeger pilot Chuck Hansen (Rob Kazinsky) who churns out an Aussie accent so ludicrous it would make even Steve Irwin squirm!

Sadly the performances in Pacific Rim match the characters on display with Charlie Hunnam giving a rather one performance as Raleigh which is a role that requires him to do nothing more than talk tough and have the occasional scrap, highly regarded off TV’s Sons of Anarchy, you feel they could have gotten more an actor like Hunnam. Idris Elba is his usual cool self throughout and does his best with the material given but Stacker is a rather stiff offering as a character and during his numerous long talking periods you really want to shout “Skip to the End” before he bores the monsters to death! Rinko Kikuchi does excel in her first English speaking role as Mako, a first time pilot with a troubled past and is able to bring up a wonderful demonstration of innocence and becomes the emotional high point of the film! And of course being a Del Toro movie, Ron Perlman makes an appearance as a sleazy black market dealer.

However all faults aside, Pacific Rim is still one of the more enjoyable films we will see this summer and with its no nonsense story line of robots fighting monsters it gives a buzz that will be felt throughout each impressive encounter. This may not have met the expectations that its excellent ad campaign had promised but it will certainly become a Friday favourite in years to come, so to all I give this message- just disengage your brain and take pleasure in the ride!

Are You Watching Closely: Review of Now You See Me

Now You See Me

Director: Louis Letterier

By Alex Watson

 

Films about magic always aim to show us the dazzling effects of a great magic trick and at the same time reveal to us the secrets the lurk behind the curtain. But sometimes the art of creating a truly great magic trick can come at the ultimate cost as we have learned in film such as Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige but as we watch the tricks being played out, we are always impressed! This week we a unique set up as The Incredible Hulk director Louis Letterier shows us four magicians about to take on the show of a lifetime in Now You See Me.

Illusionists J.Daniel (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Henley (Isla Fisher) and Jack (Dave Franco) are selected by an unseen trickster to pull off a particular risky stunt and one year later in Las Vegas they succeed in robbing a Paris bank while live on stage! Soon FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) is hot on their trail with the aid of trick exposé Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman) but the gang has a number of tricks up their sleeves and bring them in will be no easy task.

For the most part, Now You See Me is an enjoyable ride and it makes the most of its set up, many will sneer that this is simply Oceans 11 with magicians and this may well be the case, but it still entertains nonetheless. The first act is done with relish by Letterier and as the four come together under eyes of their watchful creator it provides some great comedic moments such as when Merritt hypnotises a man’s wife then reveals to her hubby’s darkest secrets and then promptly blackmails the guy into paying for him wipe her memory!

Then in a dazzling magic show they pull off the ultimate magic trick leaving the cops utterly baffled, but no matter how hard Rhodes and co seem to give chase, they always seem to be one step ahead! Plus even if they do bring them in, there is no guarantee any charges will be brought! The sheer astonishment of each clever trick they conjure up holds our attention early on and there are some clever moments to be had such as entertaining fight scene between Jack and Rhodes were the young magician literally uses all the tricks in the book to keep the lawman at bay.

Shame really that the second half of Now You See Me doesn’t have the same energy up its sleeves and it is let down by a series of barely believable twists and after a time this begins to wear on the film. But mainly people will come out shaking their head in disappointment of a rather flat finale where the big reveal is one that is frankly… rather ridiculous and will leave people a little bewildered.

The main four pairing of Eisenberg, Franco, Harrelson and Fisher is one that works remarkably well as each one is able to bring something unique to the group and as the centre piece they shine brightly! Mark Ruffalo however is stuck with a rather joyless character and Rhodes just seems determined to ruin everyone’s fun, though his character does become more interesting later on!

Morgan Freeman is as usual saddled with a very Morgan Freeman character and Thaddeus is a wise cunning old sod, but the his use runs out quite quickly and after a time we being to grow weary of his exposing tricks with simple explanations. But he is given more to do than Michael Caine who isn’t given anything near worthwhile to do and his character is one that could have really bolstered the villain stakes, but he seems to be nudged aside before things get all interesting!

Now You See Me is a very stylish experience and the glittering effects divert our attention for the creaking story beneath it, this film will impress us in patches but in due course this feels like an opportunity that wasn’t expanded on because in the rights this could have been one of the coolest heist thrillers of the year. The tricks impress us but sometimes the greatest magic trick can leave you feeling slightly cheated!

Elephants Never Forget: Review of Dumbo

Classic from the Vault

Dumbo (1941)

Directors: Ben Sharpsteen & Norman Ferguson

By Alex Watson

 

No one does magic quite like Disney and during their golden period in the 1930 to the 1950s Walt and his gang produced some of the most enchanting cartoon films ever made such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio and Cinderella. But one of their most underrated features contains a deformed character with a big heart and hidden talent that will make him unforgettable, that feature is 1941 masterpiece Dumbo.

When circus elephant Mrs Jumbo is delivered a baby boy by a stork, the infant is immediately teased by the other elephants for having overly large ears and they give him the degrading nickname ‘Dumbo’ But soon his mother is locked away for going wild protecting her child from a group of mean children taunting him and Dumbo is soon shunned by the other elephants. To help him, mouse Timothy (Voiced by Ed Brophy) becomes his protector and soon Dumbo realizes that with his big ears he can fly! Soon he will turn from freak of nature to big time sensation!

Even today Dumbo is still as exquisite as it was back in the day and although this is a child’s feature, it has enough charm and humour to appeal to the adult generation and with its cute leading character and uplifting ending, a classic outsider tale was born! Initially Disney rushed production of this film to recoup the massive financial losses on musical Fantastia and clocked in at 64 minutes this one of the shortest Disney films ever made.

But although short on running time Dumbo is one of the biggest emotional rollercoaster’s ever made and starts with a devastating beginning when our hero’s beloved mother is locked up and deemed mad by the circus for simply wanting to protect her child from mockers! Then because of his appearance (and causing a big accident during a stunt involving elephants) Dumbo is then turned into a clown which makes him even more miserable. However it will be the reunion scene between mother and child set to heart melting son ‘Baby Mine’ that will make the tears flow for all ages and as Mrs Jumbo comforts her child through prison bars this gives us a great Disney moment.

There is also a slightly psychedelic sequences involving pink elephants which happens when Dumbo and Timothy accidentally drink champagne which leads into the notorious song ‘Pink Elephants on Parade’ to today’s audience this will probably seem one of the more random moments of the film but it proves key towards the ending as afterward Dumbo begins to realize his hidden talents.

What is strange about this film is that in a film involving talking animals, our hero never once speaks! His face however is incredibly expressive and through this the creators are able to make Dumbo say way more than words ever could. The talking is left to Timothy Q Mouse who when feeling sympathy for the young elephant appoints himself as the big eared wonders only friend and through his help (and the assistance of 4 wisecracking crows) he is able to pull the sad outcast out of his slump and allows him to realize his potential with the trick of using a ‘magic feather!

For those raised on Disney movies during childhood I will not need to mention what a delightful movie Dumbo is, but for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure then I would recommend you make up for lost time as this movie is one of most moving and special experiences you will ever experience and with its heart rendering story this will make another fine addition to your movie collection and by the end you’ll wish you had ears to fly like Dumbo!