People who know me know I am not a fan of Disney's "live action" remakes of their animated classics. While some I absolutely loath (Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland) others I don't actively dislike even if they don't do much for me (Lady and the Tramp, Maleficent). If I'm being honest I enjoy The Jungle Book reimagining. So I go into each one hoping it will be an interesting reinvention of the story (I actually have high hopes for Lilo & Stitch) and don't go in expecting to be disappointed. Even though most of the time I am. Peter Pan & Wendy is mostly another disappointment.
It gets some things right. A good Peter Pan adaptation knows that this isn't the story of a boy who won't grow up but a story about a young woman getting ready to. This one nails that. Peter's role is as foil for the true protagonist of the story, Wendy. And like the play this is originally based on, it puts her name in the title. Good start.
Also the role of Hook is important. You need to find someone who can truly embody the complicated nature of this villain who is at his best both threatening and not. Law pulls it off here doing a great job with what he is given.
And Lowery is a strong director who brings a vision to his films that makes it feel like Peter Pan & Wendy isn't just the result of a big studio assembly line. He omits the truly problematic elements of the source material from it's colonialism to its sexism. However he isn't able to overcome the main problem of these repackagings; the soulless feeling that seeps into each one. One of the main issues these films have is that they feel like commodifications and not love letters to the originals. This one quite quickly begins to feel that way. It is beautiful and familiar but without managing to hit any of the soft spots the story might have engendered.
As far as adaptations of the famous story go there are better ones out there (even the truly problematic animated film this one is based on) and as far as nostalgic tribute to its predecessor... well it could be better.
Peter Pan & Wendy
Starring: Ever Anderson, Alexander Molony, Jude Law, Yara Shahidi, Alyssa Wapanatahk, Jim Gaffigan, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk
Director: David Lowery
Writers: Toby Halbrooks, David Lowery
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