Max Medici (Danny Divito) is a struggling circus owner. He sold all his horses and doesn’t have the show stopper that he needs to appeal to the crowds. However, when he enlists war veteran Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his two children to take care of a baby elephant, things dramatically change. The elephant, eventually named Dumbo, is born with enormous, floppy ears, and Holt’s children discover that Dumbo can fly. The flying elephant becomes famous and draws attention to an entrepreneur who wants Dumbo to become apart of his new amusement park. Dumbo is Tim Burton’s live-action film based on Disney’s 1941 film about the beloved flying elephant.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 29, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

• An adult couples kiss.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Excessive

• A character punches and kicks an elephant.
• A man is crushed to death under a tent.
• Chaos ensues when Mrs. Jumbo (Dumbo’s mom) tries to protect Dumbo.
• So sad when Dumbo and his mom are separated from one another. Dumbo’s mom is chained up and taken away.
• During a performance, Dumbo is surrounded by fire. This is an intense and scary scene.
• One of the Dreamland attractions, Nightmare Island, is very dark and creepy. We see werewolf’s, bears and alligators making scary noises.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

• We hear “h-ll,” “sh-t,”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall, this is an entertaining film for the whole family.

Albert Einstein once said that, “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” and  June Bailey (voice of Brianna Denski) definitely has an a wonderful imagination.  June is a very creative young girl who loves to spend time with her mom (voice of Jennifer Garner) creating an imaginary theme park that she calls Wonderland. In her mind she has created amazing new rides and various theme park characters. June’s life dramatically changes the day she comes across a theme park in the woods…called Wonderland. Initially Jane is preoccupied with the chaos of the park as hordes of “chimpanzombies” are destroying it. Now it’s up to June and her beloved park characters to use their imagination and save the park!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 15, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Wonder Park is an entertaining, animated film with beautiful colors and whimsical characters. However, the film has some very dark and intense moments as the main character’s mother is suffering from an illness.

Sexual Content: Mild

• Steve the porcupine and Greta the warthog flirt with one another. He says, ” I burn for you, baby.” She says, “I think you’re cute.” She kisses him.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

• Chimpanzombies attack June and her friends using swords and axes.
• Chaos ensues in the park when rides turn into robots.
• A huge storm cloud sucks pieces of the park into it.
• There are intense scenes when characters are riding the big roller coasters.
• June’s mom has a serious illness. When she has to leave for treatment, that depresses and scares June.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

• We hear “what the chuck,” and “son of a woodchuck.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: None

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a fun and entertaining film. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.