To its credit, this Disney remake has some good gags (a circus strongman making a valiant effort to double as their accountant) and a level of visual sumptuousness impressive even by Tim Burton’s usual standards (the costumes, the reimagining of the pink elephants scene). Vexingly, half the cast seem in disagreement over what kind of movie they’re in and the tone is all over the place. After a reasonable and recognisably DUMBO first half, the big-eyed-big-eared elephant’s journey seems to start all over again without the whole route being mapped out properly. Dumbo himself tugs at the heartstrings, but the humans all struggle to make a connection with generally bland performances across the board. I’d never call Michael Keaton’s turn as a villain bland, but I’d struggle to describe it in human terms either, changing accents, energy and poise from one shot to the next. SSP