Peter Pan - The Darker Version (Peter Pan (2003) (DVD))

Member Name: writermom

Product:	Peter Pan (2003) (DVD)
Date:	20/04/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good actors, thought - provoking storyline, nice special effects

Disadvantages: a bit darker than other Peter Pan movie versions

I guess many of us here know the classic story of Peter Pan. There have been many versions made over the years -- from books and comics to cartoons and movies. I love the Disney versions, both the cartoons and the one entitled "Hook" that starred Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. But I also like the most recent (if you can call 2003 recent) offering simply entitled "Peter Pan."

What to Expect

This movie has more elements that may not be appreciated yet by very young children. There are dark scenes like the pale, unsmiling and hissing mermaids (who are very unlike the cutesy and pretty ones depicted in other Peter Pan tales) and the humongous, malevolent-looking crocodile (which is so far from the funny, smiling crocodile in the Disney cartoon version).

Another thing that sets this movie apart from the other versions is the realistic acknowledgment of a natural phenomenon in the world of teenagers -- the obvious and expected fascination between Peter and Wendy. After all, they are in the threshold of adulthood so it's not unusual for them to feel attracted to each other. In this regard, I believe that this version was able to make the story more believable in terms of human nature.

About the Characters

I like the actors who played the major characters:

* Jeremy Sumpter was a believable Peter Pan because he has these mischievous expressions that perfectly illustrated how a carefree boy must have always looked like.

* Rachel Hurd-Wood was also great as Wendy because she was able to capture the right mix of innocence and female demureness. She was also an effective storyteller.

* Jason Isaacs, in a dual role, was convincing both as Captain Hook and as Mr. Darling.

* Olivia Williams (Bruce Willis' wife in The Sixth Sense) portrayed a gentle and loving mother flawlessly.

Other Observations

Neverland was depicted well as the fantasy land it was supposed to be. The Lost Boys' costumes were ragged as anticipated. The pirates were also as rowdy as they could be. Tinkerbell here was more realistic (thanks to the fascinating fairy dust) than Julia Robert's version in Hook.

Most of the special effects are good although not really exceptional as the flying fight scene between Hook and Peter could be made smoother, in my opinion. But I like the part when Peter whistled and out came thousands of tiny fairies who lifted up the ship so it can fly.

I enjoyed how the story ended. Several scenes always make me cry every time I get to watch this movie. I would bet other moms out there who have seen this film felt their heartstrings tugged as well.

Overall, I'd recommend this movie as something that can be watched by the whole family but with parental guidance if you have kids 10 years old and below.

Trivia: At the end credits, viewers will find out that the movie was produced by Mohammad Al Fayed in memory of Dodi, Princess Diana's boyfriend who died in the car crash with her. It was touching to see that bit as it showed a glimpse of a father who must have been devastated at the loss of his son.

*Also published on Ciao.com under the same username

Summary: This is the Peter Pan movie you should not fail to see