WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Disney's Dumbo, in theaters now.
Disney is traditionally associated with feel-good family films that possess just a touch of real-world drama so as to not diminish the romantic and escapist elements. We've seen that recently with remakes of The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast.
But with Tim Burton's Dumbo, Disney ventures into new territory by taking a more political stance than ever before.
THIS WORLD IS FOR THE DREAMERS
Dumbo encourages kids to dream big through Milly Harrier (Nico Parker), the girl determined to help the young elephant to reunite with his mother. Throughout the film, she wants to leave the circus behind to study science, as she believes technology and health care will create a better life for everyone.
She's an inspirational character whose outlook is shaped by her exposure to the other circus folks, who hail from different countries and walks of life. They're immigrants from across the globe who have come together under the big top to form an extended family. They influence Milly to follow her passion, and remind her it doesn't matter where you're from or who you are, you can achieve anything.
THE FUTURE CAN BE FEMALE
There's also a strong feminist message that permeates Milly's arc, as her father, Holt (Colin Farrell), repeatedly shoots down her dreams. He ridicules her for wanting more from life, as he was raised in a time when women were expected to be subservient to men and didn't have agency.
He can't fathom the thought of an educated daughter outside of the circus, changing the world. Oddly enough, it takes the film's villain, Vandevere (Michael Keaton), to tell Milly, "Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do!" and encourage her to unlock her potential. Dumbo ends with Milly bringing science to the circus, which results in it becoming more inclusive of women.
ANIMAL CRUELTY JUST DOESN'T FLY
It's no surprise the movie wades into the issue of animal cruelty, as it's central to Disney's 1941 animated classic. Burton doesn't overdo it, however, as his live-action reimagining is still a kids' movie. However, he doesn't hold back from depicting the emotional pain as Dumbo's mother is whipped and sold off, and when the baby elephant is forced to perform as a clown.
When Vandevere buys Dumbo's circus, and we see his own Dreamland, there's also a lot of cruelty dished out on the other side of the theme park, called Nightmare Island. Vandevere's own people turn on him for mistreating animals, and the film concludes with Dumbo's circus deciding to no longer hold animals captive. To round out the movie, Danny Devito's Max launches into a PSA about why animals deserve to live free and to be treated with kindness.
WORKERS SHOULDN'T BE EXPLOITED
Exploitation of labor is a major issue, which was touched upon in the animated version with scenes of circus workers toiling in the rain to erect the tents. Burton is admittedly more subtle in the remake, but as we see more of Vandevere's park, it's not only the animals being exploited, but workers too, as trapeze artists are forced to work without safety nets.
Vandevere also comes to personify big business and corporate greed when Dreamland gobbles up Dumbo's circus, and then he fires the workers when the little elephant doesn't do what he wants. Dumbo sticks it to the system, though, by burning Vandevere's dream to the ground.
THERE'S NO PLACE FOR BULLIES
Dumbo's biggest message is, unsurprisingly, acceptance of "the other." We shouldn't make fun of people based on how they look, or for any 0ther reason, for that matter. That was part of the 1941 original, too, but Burton is more tongue-in-cheek, as Dumbo spews water on audience members that make fun of him, and Milly's family takes down bullies within their own circus.
The film ventures deeper with Holt, who lost his arm in the war and hides his disfigurement because he feels inadequate and ashamed. By the end, however, he's inspired by Dumbo and embraces what he no longer thinks of as a flaw. He no longer cares about the crowds ridiculing his one limb anymore, because Dumbo has taught him that everyone is special in their own way.
Directed by Tim Burton, Dumbo stars Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Colin Farrell, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins, Michael Keaton and Alan Arkin.