It’s just such a shame.
For a long time, it's been a much-loved favourite in the McConville household but now, all that has changed.
Many a night we would have snuggled up on the sofa to watch the Disney classic Dumbo and would just adore the moment the stork postie delivered the cutest baby elephant in the world to Mrs Jumbo.
There is just so much to love about this movie, the happiness, the fun, the animation, the music - but most of all, there is nothing to fear in this film, it is the pure innocence which captivates children.
Of course, we didn't really like the part where Dumbo is separated from his lovely mummy but we all know, it will all come good in the end because she is still on hand as part of the circus, just kept at a distance.
So this week, when I decided to spend some quality time with Abbie and the two of us went on a mother and daughter shopping trip, I thought a great way to end off our day of fun would be a trip to the cinema to see the newly released live action Dumbo.
However, I am beyond disappointed to report that I wish we hadn’t bothered because the remake – which stars Colin Farrell, Danny De Vito and Michael Keaton – succeeded in only one thing, ruining a Disney classic.
Rated as a PG, meaning it is suitable for young children in the accompaniment of an adult, from the start, this new version of Dumbo was dark and sinister.
While Danny De Vito provided a welcome, light distraction from a certain creepiness other characters seemed to embrace, from the outset, this movie was just not child-friendly, especially the horrendous scene where Mrs Jumbo is mistreated and then separated from her son and sold.
Suffice to say Abbie turned to me and told me she was "scared".
That was enough for me to ask her if she wanted to leave and she said yes, so off we went.
Abbie was really shaken by this movie and in fact burst into tears as we walked back to the car.
Even that night, she was still talking Dumbo's mummy being taken away and just wanted cuddles.
It is very clear to me that this Tim Burton remake is not for young children.
Abbie also now refuses to watch the original so well done Disney for allowing this to happen
You've managed to steal a little girl's innocent view of a beautiful classic and replace it with fear and uncertainly.
Hope you're proud of yourselves.
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My goodness, it’s no secret I’m a fan of the festive season but advertising bookings to see Santa in April is a bit much, don't you think?
At first glance I thought the post on social media was some kind of April Fools joke but nope, it was all real.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for getting organised but even for me, opening Christmas bookings in the Spring is just absurd.
I mean, who on earth is thinking about Christmas at the start of April?
At the risk of sounding like The Grinch, how ridiculous.
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