Fof the past few years, Disney’s mission has been to take your favorite childhood animated movies and give them the real deal Holyfield remake. From turning Angelina Jolie and her cheekbones into Maleficent to making Emma Watson wanting more than a provincial life, we’ve been seeing famous cartoon princesses and talking animals come to life before our very eyes. Except for Pocahontas.
Disney, just stay far away from that film.
A few months ago, the studio released it’s teaser trailer for it’s next live action film, Dumbo.
To be honest, I don’t remember the animated film all too well. I know that there’s a baby elephant named Dumbo, that he has huge ears that help him fly and beautiful blue eyes. I do remember that he’s separated from his mama because Disney never believes in keeping family together. I also know that I used to make my mom ride the Dumbo ride at Disneyland with me because at four years old, it was the most thrilling ride I ever experienced. It also didn’t make me hide my head on her ribcage, asking if the ride was over.
You didn’t have to remember all of this to feel this teaser because the feels are all there – the melancholic “Baby of Mine,” the blue eyes hiding behind straw, the little girl’s “Show ’em, Dumbo. Show em.” If the teaser made me tear up, what was the actual trailer going to do to me?
An accurate depiction of my reaction.
Well, that question was answered this week when the official trailer finally dropped. Be warned: you may ugly cry while watching.
While some may not remember the storyline, the indelible images still strike your heart. Dumbo in clown makeup. Timothy Q. Mouse (I had to look that up). The first time we see Dumbo fly. And sure, this is a Batman Returns reunion of director Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, and Danny DeVito.
However, all of this pales in comparison to the moment that made me appreciate my purchase of Kleenex: the separation of Dumbo from his mother.
Although this remake was announced over four years ago, its timing couldn’t be more apt. In a year where we saw children and even infants ripped from their own mothers and placed in detention centers, this brief moment between an imaginary elephant and her calf is just a reminder of that very real heartbreak.
While we wait until the film’s release in 2019, stock up on those tissues now. I’m pretty certain we’re going to need them.
