Peter Pan DVD Review:

Wendy (Hurd-Wood) loved to enchant her brothers Michael (Popplewell) and John (Newell) with stories of sword fights, pirates and daring do. Little did she know that her stories had sparked the imagination of another boy, who would whisk back to his home and tell his friends of these adventures. One night he stayed too long and Wendy caught him sneaking around her room. He told her he enjoyed listening to her stories and would she come with him and tell more of them to the Lost Boys. When she asked where they where going he said, second star to the right and straight till morning until they
reach Neverland, a place where she will never have to grow up and the home of Peter Pan (Sumpter).

Not counting Steven Spielberg's travesty Hook, this is the first live action adaptation of the J. M. Barrie classic since the silent era and the great news is that is captures the essence of the book superbly.

You can argue that Disney's animated version of the exploits of the boy who would never grow up as on of their finest but seeing the characters in the
flesh adds to the magic of this enchanting story. Screenwriter/Director PJ Hogan has done an excellent job of bringing all aspects of the book to life. From the Mermaids and Indians to the Pirates and the Lost Boys, everything is here to enjoy as they bound around the beautifully realised Neverland. The magical land is exquisitely brought to life via computer graphics and some elaborate sets. The Jolly Roger and Black Castle sets standout but the rest are also exceptional and everything you have ever visualized from reading the novel.

The astounding look of the film is complemented by some outstanding performances from the cast. The very underestimated Jason Isaacs excels as Captain James Hook. Playing one of the all time great literary villains, Isaacs' makes the role his own with all the candour and viciousness that the character deserves. This is a career defining part that should move his into the big leagues after a string of supporting roles. Rachel Hurd-Wood makes an exceptional motion picture debut as Wendy. This is the key character in the story and it is the young actress's sheer screen presence that drives the film. She is a child actress that should have a great future in the industry. Harry Newell and Freddie Popplewell are also very good as John and Michael.

The support from the older cast is also first rate. Olivia Williams plays Mrs Darling very well and you can never imagine wanting to forget about her.
Lynne Redgrave is as good as ever as the pushy Aunt Millicent, who just wants Wendy to grow up. Richard Briers makes an exceptional Mr Smee,
capturing the true essence of the character. You forget what a great actor he is. Ludivine Sagnier might not have much to say but she has to be the
sexiest looking Tinkerbell ever. The French actress is simply stunning looking.

The film's only flaw is quite a big one and that is Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan. While he has the exact look of the character he just doesn't have the
screen presence of the other actors. The chemistry between him and Rachel Hurd-Wood is good but it seems to be her performance that is pulling the
pair's scenes along. The fact that he has an American accent also doesn't help but he is good in the action sequences however.

PJ Hogan has captured everything that is magical about the classic tale and a little more. It is the tender love story between Peter and Wendy that is
the driving force of the film and it is that sweet innocence that makes the movie so good for both adults and children alike. The action sequences are
superb but it is the story that rings true.

Now where is that star again?

Star Rating = * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 and dts soundtracks, the transfer is superb, as you'd expect from a modern film. The
picture quality is excellent throughout, capturing the drab greys of turn of the century London and the abundance of exuberant colours that greet Wendy,
John and Michael when they reach Never, Neverland. The sound is also first rate, especially during the flying sequences and the climatic battle.
Tinkerbell flies around the speakers and the ticking of the crocodile resonates around the room.

BONUS FEATURES

The Pirate's Ship

Board the Pirate Ship (1.01 mins)
A montage of behind the scenes footage of the version incarnations of The Jolly Roger. From the miniatures to the full size replica, you can see the
epic scale of the production.

Through the eyes of Captain Hook (6.22 mins)
Captain Hook himself, Jason Isaacs takes you on a tour of the sets as he records his video diary about the shooting of the film. The behind the scenes footage shows you the stunts, the kiss and the last take of the movie, that's if they can ever get it right.

The Pirates vs. The Lost Boys (2.08 mins)
This shows you the big Adults vs. Kids contest that continued both off and on set but the pirates talk about their advantage, their illustrious leader Captain Hook.

The Lost Pirate Song (1.19 mins)
Director PJ Hogan reveals why the pirate song was cut before film took place, even though Captain Hook and his motley crew had recorded the song in
a sound studio.

The Black Castle

Enter the Castle (1.12 mins)
A behind the scenes montage from the set of the Black Castle.

Learning to Fly (6.07 mins)
Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood reveal the secrets behind the filming sequences in the movie. Jeremy talks about all the training he had to go
through to become Pan and how painful and difficult it was in the harnesses.

The Mermaids Tale (2.10 mins)
Jason Isaacs talks to the mermaids as he takes you behind the scenes of Mermaid Lagoon.

The Darling House

Alternative Ending (4.31 mins)
Saffron Burrows plays a grownup Wendy who introduces Peter to her daughter Jane. You can see why the filmmakers changed this ending, as it is far too similar to the Disney sequel "Return to Neverland".

Deleted Scenes - Mr Darling in the Dog House (3.51 mins)
A deleted storyline with involved Mr Darling (Jason Isaacs) refusing to leave Nana's doghouse until the children return.

Me and my Shadow (1.19 mins)
Jeremy Sumpter talks about acting the part of Peter Pan and his mischievous
shadow.

In the Dog House with Nana (2.49 mins)
Here we meet Rebel and Bomber, the two male dogs who play Nana in the movie.

The Neverland Forest

Explore the forest (0.58 mins)
A montage of behind the scenes footage of the forest.

Tinkerbell: Behind the Fairy Dust (4.39 mins)
The cast and crew talk about the incredibly beautiful Ludivine Sagnier. We she her bring what was originally envisaged as a completely CG character to life during extensive blue screen work.

I do believe in Fairies (1.32 mins)
The cast talk about the present of fairies in the movie and Jason Isaacs takes use behind the scenes of the Fairy Dance.

Princess Tiger Lily (1.01 mins)
Native American actress Carsen Gray talks about her character.

The Home under the Ground

Dig under the home (0.53 mins)
A montage of behind the scenes footage of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys' home.

The Legacy of Pan: Hosted by Sarah Ferguson (11.02 mins)
The Duchess of York takes a look at the man behind the story J.M. Barrie before going behind the scenes of the movie. It looks into what influences
the story and how Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital benefited from Peter Pan. The featurette also includes interviews with P J Hogan, Jason
Isaacs, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Richard Briers and Jeremy Sumpter.

The Duchess's Outtakes (2.06 mins)
Laugh at Sarah Ferguson forgetting her lines or totally getting them wrong.

Lost Boys on the Set (2.05 mins)
Go behind the scenes with the Lost Boys as they talk about their characters and go to school.

OVERALL

While the transfer and presentation of the movie are first rate, the bonus features are a little lacking. The featurettes are far too short and un-involving and would have been far better presented in one long Making of. documentary. You just get settled watching them and they have finished, never revealing enough information and becoming increasingly frustrating. The lack of a commentary track is also a let down as it would have been nice
to hear from director P J Hogan and Jason Isaacs. The slightly poor extras shouldn't put you off what is an exceptional piece of family entertainment.

DVD Star Rating = * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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