Peter Pan Movie Review:


Produced with imagination and creativity, PJ Hogan's film of the classic JM Barrie tale is perhaps the most engaging and meaningful version we've seen yet. It not only vividly captures the wonder and fantasy, but it also mines the story for thematic riches. Wendy Darling (Hurd-Wood) is a precocious preteen in Victorian London who entertains her little brothers (Newell and Popplewell) with fantastic tales of distant lands. She's under pressure from her parents (Isaacs and Williams) and a mad aunt (Redgrave) to grow up and stop being so childish, but she resists until her fantasy world invades her life in the form of the flying boy Peter Pan (Sumpter) and his grumpy fairy companion Tink (Sagnier). Soon Wendy and her brothers are flying to Neverland, where they happily fall in with the rambunctious Lost Boys, who like Peter refuse to grow up. But Peter's nemesis Captain Hook (Isaacs again) and his quite literally scurvy mates are out to get them.

Aimed squarely at the child within, the film reaches inside us, grabs hold and never lets go (Spielberg tried--and failed--to do this with Hook). Along the way, the clever script combines humour that's both sophisticated and silly with drama and adventure that's surprisingly strong and emotional. The production design is remarkable as well, hilariously capturing the extremes of Victoriana and the outlandish otherworldliness of Neverland without trying to be realistic or gritty. Those things are left to the characters, and the actors all manage shade the colourful excesses with raw authenticity. Isaacs is terrific in both roles--pinched and nervous in "real" life and brutally camp as Hook. Williams is absolutely lovely in a textured and often silent performance, while Redgrave is an absolute hoot as the overdramatic auntie. She and the sardonic Briers (as Hook's, erm, right-hand man Smee) get all the biggest laughs. Meanwhile, the children strike exactly the right notes, and Sagnier delivers a terrific silent movie-type turn as the tetchy Tink.

It's also wonderful to see that in a film full of spectacular effects and ingenious touches (a fabulous dog-nanny, creepy mermaids, a dazzling fairy dance), the filmmakers didn't scrimp on the story or themes. Hogan takes a gentle but well-aimed swipe at the British stiff upper lip, as well as misguided Western notions of independence, progress and maturity. He astonishes us visually, reminding us that this is a storybook fantasy while still sweeping us right into it. He touches on more universal ideas of responsibility, jealousy and revenge without pulling any punches, then constantly undercuts sentimentality, letting us feel the emotion without wallowing in it. And he also packs in several layers of meaning that will touch children of all ages. Whether they want to grow up or not.

Rich Cline

I have always compared the struggle between Peter Pan and his arch-nemesis Captain Hook as a struggle between the road-runner and the coyote. I always sided with the coyote because you never knew very much about the road-runner. When it comes to Peter Pan we know he never wants to grow up, he commands his "lost boys" and rescues Native princesses. We also know that he is aided by a fairy named Tinkerbell. But we never really understand why Pan never wants to grow up and why he doesn't want to experience real human
emotion. We never fully understand the hero himself.

In the new, highly rich, elaborate recreation of the epic story, we begin with a retelling of the Darling children's meeting of a magical boy named
Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) who promises them that they can live the stories they love. The children are whisked off to Pan's home, Never Never Land
where they discover the wonders and horrors of the world of never growing up. The biggest threat to the harmony of Never Never Land is the surging
vengeance of the menacing Captain Hook (Jason Isaacs). What will the children learn from this journey? Will they ever want to go home? What new things will we learn from this new telling of a literary classic?

Peter Pan has always celebrated the child within us all. His eager innocence and stubbornness to never let go of his child-world has always been
appealing to adults and children alike. In director PJ Hogan's lush treatment of the story, we begin to understand and see that Pan isn't as one-dimensional as one perceived. He struggles with his continual denial of growing up. We see that Pan's emotions are directly connected to the weather
and seasons of Never Never Land. We also learn that there is more emotion stored up in this boy than we could ever imagine. I really enjoyed the
conflict struggle in this version of Pan. The film shows that Pan has a lot more emotion than that of all the Darling children combined. Why is that,
because each of the Darling's knows they have to grow up and fit into the real world.

I also really enjoyed the performance of Jason Isaacs as Captain Hook. He is a lot more memorable that Dustin Hoffman's performance in "Hook". I liked that the actor was able to mix the comedic elements and the dramatic with
little effort. I also loved the dark humor he has with his men. This is a wonderful portrayal and deserves to be the showcase of the piece. The sad
thing about Isaacs in this film is that he had to forget all his brilliance of Hook when he put on the spectacles to play Father Darling. I wished there
was a different actor for Darling.

The production design, costumes, and lush cinematic effects make this film feel special and they are some of the boldest I have seen on screen in quite some time. They don't feel like effects but blend effortlessly with the characters and the style of the film. They so deserve an Oscar nod.

My problems with this update of the classic have to do with the film's structuring. The beginning of the film where we meet the Darlings and their
world was awfully boring and drab. The world looked a lot like what Charles Dickens describes in his novels but there was this raw innocence. I felt no
emotion from this "real world". I felt that a lot of what the film was trying to show was severely lacking in the film's take on London. The dad's
job woes and his snooty boss were boring and seemed out of place. I know I am being rather picky in a fairy tale but it stood out.

I really enjoyed Peter Pan but just felt the film opened a door to a new take on the legend but didn't jump through the door. I wanted more of Pan's
conflict and Hook's goofy antics. I wanted to see some of Pan in the children when they returned. I also wanted more Olivia Williams as the
Darling's mother. She was a lot more interesting than their two-dimensional father.

The next time we have such a bold retelling, run with it.

(4 out of 5)

So Says the Soothsayer

Dean Kish

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 = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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