{"id":20113,"date":"2019-04-03T10:58:31","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T08:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leregardlibre.com\/?p=20113"},"modified":"2025-12-04T22:36:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T21:36:55","slug":"dumbo-youve-given-me-back-my-childlike-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leregardlibre.com\/en\/cinema\/films\/dumbo-vous-mavez-rendu-mon-ame-denfant\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00abDumbo\u00bb: you've given me back my childhood soul"},"content":{"rendered":"

Les mercredis du cin\u00e9ma - Kelly Lambiel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abYou, the crippled cowboy, have given me back my childhood soul.\u00bb<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The word of V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), when he discovers that the baby elephant he's just bought can fly. This is the villain that, as is often the case with Disney, we love to hate. Just as well, we'd almost take the words out of his mouth. Almost? Indeed, with this new film, Tim Burton was eagerly awaited. His last films had been poorly received by the critics. So, thanks to <\/strong>Dumbo<\/strong><\/em>, is the eponymous re-adaptation of the famous 1940s cartoon (yes, I'm telling you!) a return to grace, or does it confirm the opinions of those who claim that the golden age of his career is now over? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

It was an ambitious task. It must be acknowledged that tackling one of the masterpieces of a franchise that is beloved by virtually all children and parents, across all generations, is a challenge in and of itself. It\u2019s a risky venture, especially given the mixed success that Disney-branded films have often enjoyed. Prince of Persia, <\/em>the latest Pirates of the Caribbean<\/em>or even Han Solo: A Star Wars Story<\/em> These are all examples whose cinematic success has, quite rightly, been called into question time and again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From remakes<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As for the remakes<\/em>When it comes to animated films set in the universe of the mouse with white gloves, the reality remains, unfortunately, the same\u2014whether or not they were produced by the studios that created the character. It seems as though the cartoons that shaped our childhoods and watched us grow up are untouchable and destined to remain so. So, after the bitter failure that was Alice in Wonderland<\/em>, even though we really loved it The Nightmare Before Christmas<\/em>, we wonder about the Burton-Disney pairing and hesitate one last time before finally daring to step into the theater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The film opens with the sign for the Medici Brothers\u2019 Circus, and aboard a train whose cars bear the names of the performers riding in them, we are taken on a journey through 1920s America, from Florida to Missouri. Just like in any good freak show<\/em> (We\u2019re somewhat reassured\u2014we expected nothing less from Tim Burton.) They\u2019re all there, from the strongman to the mermaid, including the contortionists, the snake charmer, and the magician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Joplin, we are introduced to the main characters: the circus director, Max Medici (Danny DeVito), Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his two children, Joe (Finley Hobbins) and Milly (Nico Parker), whose striking features, large eyes, and inscrutable expressions\u2014despite their youth\u2014are reminiscent of muses Burtonian<\/em> with its unique charm. Right from the start, it\u2019s clear that the plot won\u2019t be the one we\u2019re familiar with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This story is about the return of Captain Farrier\u2014a former horse trainer who came home from the war somewhat diminished\u2014to his children. He quickly realizes that the circus is facing a financial crisis and that, in an effort to attract new audiences, they\u2019ve pinned their hopes on the elephants\u2014Madame Jumbo, in particular. She is pregnant and soon gives birth to the circus\u2019s new star: an adorable baby elephant\u2026 with ears that are disproportionately large. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, they need to recoup the expense he caused, so they entrust his training to the newest arrival, Holt. Of course, things don\u2019t go as planned; they make fun of the newborn, humiliate him, and\u2014following Mrs. Jumbo\u2019s strong reaction\u2014separate him from his mother. That\u2019s when Milly and Joe, who have also lost their mothers, grow fond of Dumbo and discover that he can fly. The news spreads across America and reaches Vandevere, who wants to include him in the act of his star performer, the acrobat Colette Marchant (Eva Green). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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