"In one word, the film is "enchanting." Most certainly some magic dust was involved with this majestic production."
I was in complete awe merely watching the teaser trailer for the new PETER PAN film by director/co-screenwriter P.J. Hogan. Never did I expect to walk out of the theatre with the same reaction. In one word, the film is "enchanting." Most certainly some magic dust was involved with this majestic production.
This film is just pure magic. Children and adults alike are bound to fall under the spell of this magical tale of a boy who simply refused to grow up. When the Darling family children receive a visit from Peter Pan one night, they embark to the ultimate retreat destination for children: Neverland. There they meet the Lost Boys, fight with the evil, but lonely, Pirate Captain Hook (Jason Isaacs) and learn about growing up (and growing down).
The film does vary slightly from the original story, taking certain liberties by elaborating on the relationship between Peter and Wendy and omitting or reducing certain parts. However, the film stays admirably close in spirit (and in context), capturing the soul of this timeless fable.
This movie is incredibly strong in mostly any imaginable way. Just like as those special illustrated books that were capable of mesmerizing and transforming us into dream worlds as children, this film does not spare any of its filmic elements to produce the same effect. The stunning cinematography, costumes and effects are all spectacular in that not only are they stylish and impressive, but they are all crucial aspects of storytelling. They never overwhelm. Instead, they creates a sense of a dream world, but one that is quite plausibly real, and one that we feel like we are inches away from grasping.
The feel of the film is luring, dark, mysterious, exciting magical. Amidst this background we find a story that, although not terribly busy in plot, is captivating all the same. Bringing this beloved story to life are some exceptionally cast actors. Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan gives the title character a certain darker side, while balancing it with the innocence of childhood. The lost boys, a slightly exasperating Tinker Bell (Ludivine Sagnier, "The Swimming Pool"), and all the adult characters in the film are also finely chosen (especially so Lynn Redgrave and Olivia Williams). But the real sparks fly with the aid of two very impressive, although two very different, actors. Jason Isaacs, a film veteran, instead of giving in to temptation and reducing Captain James Hook into merely an over-the-top prototype, gives Hook a very humane edge, capturing the pain, loneliness, sadness, stinginess, and even moments of sympathy and kindness. The second entrancing player, Rachel Hurd-Wood, makes her professional film debut here as Wendy. Her Wendy shines with innocence and sweetness perfectly bordering on emotions such as pain, sexuality, love and a developing deeper understanding of the world around her. Hurd-Wood's Wendy is a girl on the verge of turning into a woman, while still holding on to the allure of childhood. She captures this essence perfectly.
Every moment in this film feels like we are stuck somewhere in a place between a dream and reality - Between our adulthood and childhood. Peter Pan offers the best of both worlds, to both worlds. It is a bittersweet tale like no other, best to be embraced in a dark theatre along with both those precious children and those ardent adults casting their eyes dreamily at the aura on the screen. Peter Pan is basically a visionary retelling of the simple, yet so very complex story of the boy that refused to grow up. Perhaps the boy who lives within each of us stillŅ Peter Pan is a very special story, and the film is a very special film - so go see it already. You'll believe in fairies again.
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