“Peter Pan” (Universal Pictures)
There are no songs sung in the new version of “Peter Pan.” Instead this is a movie that sticks to J. M Barrie’s basic story about the conflict between being an adult and staying a child forever. And this version also gives you the magic of flight in a way that Mary Martin’s “see the wires” version never could.
Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) is a boy who can fly and can help others do it too. One night he comes into the room of Wendy (Rachel Hurd-Wood). He is intrigued by her beautiful smile and invites her and her two brothers to come with him to Neverland. There she can tell stories to the lost boys and they will all live happily ever after.
Wendy and the boys agree and take flight with the help of Peter and Tinkerbell (Ludivine Sagnier). But immediately upon arrival they are attacked by Captain Hook (Jason Isaacs) and his band of pirates. But Peter comes to the rescue and saves them.
At home Wendy’s mother (Olivia Williams) and father (Isaacs again) grieve for them. They can’t believe their children have just disappeared. Wendy and her brothers miss their parents but the memories of them begin to fade.
“Peter Pan” has a marvelous look about it, and the actors are all perfect for their roles. And when it comes time for them to fly, well it looks like they actually do. It is all so wonderful to watch that you barely remember that there are no songs.
Sumpter is a bit rogue-ish as Peter. Hurd-Wood is wide-eyed beautiful as Wendy. Isaacs is over the top as Hook, and Sagnier is impish as Tinkerbell. Everybody stays in character and makes this fairy tale come true to life.
The film is rated PG for mild violence.
“Peter Pan” is a movie that will thrill children and entertain adults. It is as magical as fairy dust and as charming as Wendy’s smile. There is a hint of romance in the film but nothing that is too adult. It is a film meant for people who don’t want to be adults and for the child in all of us.
I scored “Peter Pan” a hooked 6 out of 10.
