The first Disney live-action remake of the year is here, and it’s not the only animal themed film of the weekend, so keep reading.
Dumbo
Directed by: Tim Burton
With: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, and Eva Green
What is it about? A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
Heads Up? Disney are going through all its beloved classic animated movies and remaking them as “live-action” films. It worked very well commercially with 2015’s Cinderella, 2016’s The Jungle Book and 2017’s Beauty and The Beast. Now they’re picking up the pace as we are getting three films this year alone (Aladdin and Lion King will follow suit in a few months time). The reviews are mixed, touting its visuals but not particularly impressed by its storytelling. I’d say give it a go only if your family is interested.
The Professor and the Madman
Directed by: Farhad Safinia
With: Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Natalie Dormer, and Jennifer Ehle
What is it about? Professor James Murray begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid 19th century, and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr. William Minor.
Heads Up? This period biographic drama has two distinguished lead actors, but it seems more like a film you catch up with on TV. I’d say pass.
We Die Young
Directed by: Lior Geller
With: Jean-Claude Van Damme, David Castañeda, and Elijah Rodriguez
What is it about? Lucas, a 14-year-old boy inducted into the gang life in Washington, D.C., is determined that his 10-year-old brother won’t follow the same path. When an Afghanistan war veteran comes into the neighborhood, an opportunity arises.
Heads Up? Van Damme started a decade ago trying to do more acting and less kicking, which might be interesting to some people. To me this is a straight-to-video kind of movie, and therefore, I don’t see the need for seeing it in the big screen.
Junglee
Directed by: Chuck Russell
With: Vidyut Jammwal, Akshay Oberoi, and Atul Kulkarni
What is it about? A vet, who on his homecoming to his father’s elephant reserve, encounters and fights an international poachers racket.
Heads Up? A Bollywood action film about a hero who is planning on saving animals by kicking and punching a group of baddies. It’s directed by American director Chuck Russell who made The Mask, The Blob, and The Scorpion King, so you know it’s gonna have some visual flares. I’d say why not.
