THE story of Peter Pan is one that’s been told in many different iterations over the generations, first appearing in the works of author J.M. Barrie at the turn of the last century, with the first modern depiction being the Disney animated film from way back in 1953.
Peter Pan & Wendy, available on Disney+ Hotstar this weekend from indie film director David Lowery, is not exactly a reinvention of the classic story, but is definitely more in tune with modern sensibilities.
Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson) is a teenage girl in vaguely Victorian-era London who doesn’t want to grow up.
When she makes a wish, she’s visited by Peter Pan (Alexander Molony) himself and the seemingly mute Tinkerbell (Yara Shahidi), who whisks her and her two brothers John (Joshua Pickering) and Michael (Jacobi Jupe) to the mythical land of Neverland.
Once there, while enjoying the wonders of flight, they run into Pan’s archnemesis Captain Hook (Jude Law). After some swashbuckling and derring-do, we meet the rest of the Lost Boys (or Last Children… half of them are girls?).
With about an hour-and-a-half long runtime (not including 10 minutes of credits), the movie goes by quickly.
It’s a light and breezy adventure story that’s aimed at kids, but there is a good balance of danger and whimsy when it comes to Captain Hook and his crew. It’s never too scary but it gets to the edge at points.
As the biggest name in the cast, Law is perfect in the role of the one-armed pirate villain, able to bring a sense of humanity to temper the menace of the character. He cuts an impressive figure in costume with sword in hand.
While much of the story is unchanged from the source material, the backstory with Hook and his relationship with Peter is built upon a bit, highlighting the thematic elements that Lowery is most interested in. There’s definitely a moral ambiguity that’s refreshing.
Most of the rest of the cast are child actors who do a good job of embodying the innocence of people who never have to grow up. Sure, it’s a little silly that they can fight off pirates, but the whole movie is an exercise in wish fulfilment.
Neverland is a place where people stop ageing, which makes it a dream for children who are afraid of adulthood. There’s a freedom in childhood that disappears as time marches on. However, the movie explores how that’s not so great and how change is a necessary part of life.
Visually, Peter Pan & Wendy is pretty impressive for something made for streaming. The colour grading is a bit muted and dull at points, but maybe that’s just the aesthetic the movie is going for.
The flying is really well done, Tinkerbell’s effects are solid, and some of the set pieces nail the sense of childlike wonder.
As a family adventure, Peter Pan & Wendy is a fun time, serving as a largely more traditional telling of the story. It doesn’t take any wild swings or risks, but hones in on the thematic thread of having to grow up when you don’t want to. – The Vibes, April 29, 2023
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