Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
I want this one to work. I’ve heard all sorts of crazy negative buzz the last few months, but now that I’m talking to people who have actually seen it, that’s changing. Here’s a review from someone who seems very fair-handed about the movie:
Hey Harry. Ford here.
Just got back from The Grove in Los Angeles where Peter Pan was screened.
First off, Leonard Maltin was in the audience. That in itself was pretty cool.
Anyway, on to the movie. I have heard so much about this movie, and the production involved. Huge budget. Elaborate sets. And staying super true to the original story. And admittedly, the trailer looked really good. So let's get onto it.
The movie doesn't screw around. It jumps right into it, and everyone is really good. Jeremy Sumpter, who plays Peter Pan, is pretty great. The kid is incredibly charming for a 14 year old boy. I wish I could change lives with this kid while he's in high school. The babes are gonna come crawling.
And speaking of babes, Rachel Hurd-Wood who plays Wendy is amazing. The chemistry between the two is scorching. I can honestly say that I saw more chemistry between Peter Pan and Wendy in this movie then any other film this year. The fact that children (I mean, they really are children) can pull off these emotions is incredible. Before I start to sound pedophillic, let me move on, and just mention that the supporting cast of children are great as well. Solid acting for a kids movie which is a rarity. You don't often get kids that can pull off convinving sarcasm verbally like they do in this. It's Goonie-esque.
Jason Isaacs is fantastic as Hook, and as Wendy's father. He really brings a great villian to the role, a role that has been plundered before by the likes of even Dustin Hoffman. He's great and doesn't over do it.
My only main problem with the film is it's look. I heard so much about the elaborate sets, and incredible budget, but a great deal of the movie looks like a cartoon. Every shot of the ship in the water looks bad, and so do many of the special effects. Much of the stunt work (read:wire work) is great, but the surroundings take away from it because you are never removed from the theater. Some things, like Tinkerbell and the crocodile look alright, but not quite perfect. I wish this wasn't the finished product. You always feel like you are watching a movie, and never completely give into the film.
The main strength of the film, which is why I still say its great, is the story. It's an amazing tale, and while dealing with children, it never does take (not really, at least) the easy way out. The children have very adult emotional issues, even as fantastic as they are, and you really feel their pains. When you watch the tale of Pan again, you begin to remember why everyone has done, or in some way revisited this story so many times.
11 corpses. 17 including the skeletons. Zero breasts. Sword Fu. Gratuitous flying. Cloud Fu. Arrow to the chest. Angel Dust Fu. Gratuitous giant alligator. Stump Fu. Serious need of a dental hygenist. Pirate Fu. Gratuitous indians. Walking the plank.
I'm trying to write this while watching 'Rich Girls' and I honestly think the show is making me dumber, so bare with me.
Happy Fu. Sad Fu. Growing Up Fu. Rock n Roll Detective nominations for Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan for saying "Forget them. Forget them all" Poison Fu. Dead fairies. Dead pirates. Large dog dressed as a nurse. Oddly erotic drawing of Peter Pan and Wendy, if you get what I'm saying, and I think you do. Gratuitous differences of opinion of the definition of a kiss. Rock n Roll Detective nomination for Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy for saying "These are the Lost Boys. Can I keep them?"
Ford says even with the imperfections, it's a winner. But check out a late show so that the kids don't talk through the very clever and cool dialogue.
Out.
Thanks, man. I’m hoping to wrangle up some more reviews of this one in the days ahead.
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