JM Barrie’s book Peter Pan has been a Panto favourite for years but it’s had a high number of film adaptations too though none have been anywhere near as popular as the classic 1953 animated version. 2015’s ‘Pan’ starring Hugh Jackman was a hugely costly flop and the 2003 film with Jason Isaacs was a box office bomb too so you ‘ve got to wonder at the wisdom of another live action version. Fortunately the latest adaptation Peter Pan and Wendy is in the hands of writer-director David Lowery whose last foray into the world of Disney was the excellent remake of 2016’s ‘Pete’s Dragon’ that surpassed its 1977 original and its hybrid mix of live action and animated dragon.
His version of the classic story is inspired by both original novel as well as the 1953 film itself but this Peter Pan and Wendy has very clear nods to modern sensibilities with Wendy a far stronger character than we’ve seen before as played by Ever Anderson and is the equal of Pan and perhaps more resourceful too. Essentially the film adheres to the well known story of Wendy and her two younger brothers being whisked away to Neverland and all the beloved characters are there. Tinkerbell is engagingly played by a wordless Yara Shahidi who shot her role alone against a green screen and yet there is magic between her and the Peter Pan. The lost boys are an ethnically (and disability) diverse gang who are having the time of their lives making the film as is Jacobi Jupe as Wendy’s youngest brother. But it’s the two characters central to the story that count. Jude Law is still impishly young in looks and makes for a far more youthful villain and its him in the final face off with Peter Pan where we get a rare reveal of their back story and bearing grudges and has the most melancholy of lines that underscores his character’s demeanour. In the title role Alexander Molony as Peter Pan is a little on the vanilla side and Hook’s sidekick Smee is more of a valet to the villain and is under written not really giving Jim Gaffigan the chance to shine in the role.
Director David Lowery has done a great job here using real locations rather than wall to wall green screen and the production design is impressive with a battle on Hook’s galleon ship listing to starboard that is impressively realized. ….oh and that crocodile is fantastic and is one of many highlights in a faithful, endearing and highly enjoyable retelling of the famous story.
related feature: What the stars said at the Peter Pan and Wendy press conference
related feature: Jake Gyllenhaal at the ‘Strange World’ premiere
Here’s the Peter Pan and Wendy trailer…..
Peter Pan and Wendy is showing now on Disney+
I think you lie.