Our rating: 4 out of 5
Rated: PG
reviewed by Carissa Horton
All children grow up...Except one
Youth. A lovely intangible we try so often to hold onto but eventually
lose entirely. Not so with Peter Pan. He is eternally young, buoyant,
filled to overflowing with joy, happiness and an extremely contagious
laugh. There has never been a more uplifting or melancholy children's
tale then Peter Pan, and this is an excellent adaptation. Wendy Darlings
truest joy is telling tales to her younger brothers, Michael and John.
Stories of daring feats and adventures, especially concerning Captain
Hook and his crew of bloodthirsty pirates. What she doesn't know is that
another person hears these personal imaginings as well. A lurking figure
is outside the Darling children's bedroom window nearly every night;
listening attentively for the exciting stories that pour from Wendy's
active mind.
On one such night, Peter actually ventures into the nursery, his
curiosity overcoming his caution. Leaning over Wendy's bed, he makes a
soft sound, wrenching her from a sound sleep and sending him bounding
for the ceiling. Wendy bolts from her bed in a panic, ready to defend
herself against all enemies. Still disoriented, Wendy misses the figure
darting toward the window and Nanna (their dog nurse) lunging forward to
grab hold of a youthful shadow; wrenching back fiercely and disengaging
it from its owner. The noises have disoriented Wendy and, in her
confusion she overlooks the shadow being locked in a cupboard drawer by
Nanna. All is now silent, with Wendy striving to comprehend what might
occurred. No, nothing outside the window, nothing at all out of the
ordinary in their room. Clearing her head, Wendy quietly climbs back
into bed, convincing herself she imagined the encounter with a
mysterious form which weightlessly floated above her head.
The next night Peter makes his way back to the Darling home in search of his
shadow. This time Peter is actually discovered by Wendy due to his tears of
despair over not being able to reattach his likeness. Peter, having rarely
ever been close to a girl, is quite enthralled with Wendy, and his fondness
seems to grow even further after she sews his shadow on. With the boys in
tow, Wendy and Peter soar into the heavens just as the Darling parents rush
into the room to discover their beloved children missing. Wendy's doubts
swiftly fade away in the beauty of the universe and the sweet
mischievousness of Peters smile. Neverland is all a person could have hoped
for; overflowing with mermaids, Indians, pirates, and flowering blossoms
that would be more at home in a garden then an island. After her first
run-in and near-death-experience with the Lost Boys (caused mostly by Peters
fairy friend, or shall I say
fiend, Tinkerbell), Wendy makes herself quite at home only to
remember that her brothers went missing after an air attack by Captain Hook
and his crew of miscreants. The only ones who may have the slightest clue as
to Michael and Johns whereabouts are the mermaids, cruel creatures who would
just as soon drown you as look at you. If Peter had not been by her side,
Wendy may indeed have found herself at the bottom of the sea, but he has far
more power then you would think and the mermaids can do them no harm.
Captain Hook has captured her brothers and left them to die chained to a
rock in a hideous cove called Black Castle. Its a fearful place filled with
the skeletons of ones who have been destroyed previously. If Wendy had been
a lesser girl she may have been frightened when she and Peter fly to the
rescue of her brothers and an Indian maid known as Tiger Lily. A fierce
battle erupts between Hook and Pan after Peter has deceived two of the
pirates into releasing the captives. Peter is swift but might very well have
lost the battle if it were not for the Croc arriving at an opportune moment,
hungry for Captain Hooks other hand. The heroes escape, and a delightful
celebration takes place for Tiger Lily is also the Indian Chiefs daughter
and obviously much valued. Peter and Wendy have grown even closer, one
reason being the Lost boys call them mother and father. Peter carefully
steals her away where she witnesses a surreal fairy ball filled with light
and laughter. Peter only knows he wants Wendy with him always; he cannot
explain his feelings, but he would rather die then lose her. Yet, that is a
difficult decision to make for Wendy wants to grow up and you could not love
a boy who would stay forever young. As to whether this tale was worth the
telling, you'll have to discover for yourself.
There were a few, shall I say, difficulties. At one point Michael and John are hanging upside down by their ankles with their nightshirts dangling around their necks. Unfortunately they did not have anything on beneath their sleeping garments and you wind up with a brief view of bare buttocks. At another point Nanna gives Michael a ride to the bath tub and he is in naught but his skin, though details are carefully blurred. The largest complaint parents may have is the emotional tension between Peter and Wendy. Their hormones are just beginning to kick into high gear and you often see them gazing at each other or holding each others hand; if they were older you would believe them to be in love. There are two kisses. One Wendy bestows upon Peter when he has given up all hope and the other Tiger Lily springs on John after he helps save her life. Personally I found Peters reaction to Wendy's kiss amusing and adorable but I can see how others might not think a kiss between such young teens to be proper.
Of course there is also violence, including one scene of a man being swallowed whole by a monstrous crocodile. Captain Hook does not have his special arm attached when you first see him; it's rather upsetting for little children to see a man who is missing half a limb. There's a bit of swashbuckling action; Peter is cut a few times, and people are threatened with all manner of weapons. There's even a point when Peter holds a sword to Wendy's throat. Some scenes are rather dark and perilous and may be too much for young children. A few fairies do die during this film, which makes your heart sink a little. However, in spite of these slight difficulties, Peter Pan is a film I will treasure for always. The scenery is breathtaking and the special effects are incredible, with believable mermaids, fairies, and flying children. Peters smile and laugh are extremely contagious, and it is obvious the actor truly, deeply loved his role. All the actors morphed into their roles extremely well and for most of the child actors this was their first film. One thing I noticed and appreciated was the subtle reminder that being forever young is not all one would expect. When Peter leaves for the final time there is an overwhelming sense of sadness in his gaze. It is obvious he wishes he could be a regular little boy, but he cant.
Keep your mind and heart open to the emotions behind Peter Pan, and I think you'll be surprised with how much it really has to offer. Get ready for a wonderful fantasy which contains a dreamlike quality, an excellent ending which leaves you with a thrilling bittersweet sensation, and the joy only the Boy Who Never Grows Up can bring.