Meagan Walters

I can't really give a full "thumbs up" nor can I honestly give it a "thumbs down." The movie's special effects (we saw it in 3D) were outstanding to me. However, as one person commented, I also felt the movie lost something when the circus goes to the "big business." I also felt the plot and character development were seriously lacking. I caught myself catching moments when I felt the screenwriters could have done a much better job at developing aspects of both. I was also annoyed at the ending with the underlying message of anti-animal captivity. Although I believe we should make every effort to keep animals in nature, we have to acknowledge reality and admit that having animals in captivity IS an aspect of "real-life" among many developed countries. You just can't "sugar coat" real life sometimes, which is what Old Hollywood and even some modern movies haven't been afraid to do. Life is hard; bad things happen. That's the way of the world. Further, the true frustration many are expressing with this movie is simply that adding this aspect of animal freedom detracts from the central conflict of the story - the separation of mother and child. That's the TRUE problem of the story - NOT the desire for freedom. The movie's plot loses its true "flow" because it adds a resolution for a problem that is truly non-existent through the course of the story until it is added in the end. Screenwriters would do well to revisit their middle and high school English courses for a refresher course on plot development there!!!! Screenwriters, in general, should also focus more on allowing people to work through their emotions honestly through the presentation of stories that DO get people emotionally involved instead of trying to squelch a natural, human, emotional reaction. Overall, just know that if you choose to see this movie, there may be something that you lose once the circus goes "big time." Oddly enough, I even noticed a change among the captivated audience of children at that point in the movie. Their attention waned. Something is lost there, so just be mindful of it if you go to see Dumbo.