Peter Pan is the magical boy who never grew up, who versed off with pirates, danced with mermaids, and plays along with Tiger Lilly and her tribe. The new movie Pan plays on the origins of Hook, Pan, Smee, and Tiger Lilly.
As I start I guess I should bring up the white washing of Tiger Lilly. In the book it clearly states that she is native american, namely indian. However in the movie she is played by Rooney Mara, not indian. You can give all the explanations you want but it won't cheer anyone up. The world has now become such a place where the littlest thing upsets people. Gun violence, white wash casting, song issues. I understand that during resent events that critics would take offence to some of the family made violence in the film but movies cannot be blamed for the violence we see in every day life. It is true what Liam Neeson said, especially for Pan "Its not real, its a fantasy film". Something along those lines. And it makes total sense. It doesn't matter that Tiger Lilly is white or there are songs, I mean come on there are many other movies that include singing and they aren't musicals. Critics and Pan enthusiasts seem to have such a beef with this film.
As an origins story the relationship between Hook and Pan is played out well but I feel more could have gone into creating a rift between the two of them rather than playing it off as a joke near the end of the film. Garrett does a descent job with the accent he uses for Hook and while he does come off as more Indiana Jones than a pirate named Hook, sadly I feel thats being left for a sequel as well, he still crafts an interesting and fun character that at least for me you grow to care for. Levi Miller steals the show as Peter Pan, a feisty young lad who gives the nuns at the orphanage a run for their money. Levi does a great job at portraying Pan's emotional state. Hugh Jackman does a fabulous job as Blackbeard, he is truly menacing and is the true Blackbeard compared to the version portrayed in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Back to the choice in songs during the film, Smells like Teen Spirit. It is stated by Blackbeard that some of the children have been taken from different eras, meaning the song must of been picked up during one of their raids and stuck. It fits with what Blackbeard is trying to accomplish, keeping the spirits of the children, teenagers, happy, by providing a song that they can all gain strength from. For he needs strong and willing workers to get what he most desires, pixie dust.
I loved Pan and feel it is an excellent prequel to the story Peter Pan. Much like Oz: The Great and Powerful, Pan plays as a good lead up to events in Peter Pan, dropping little hints here and there and while people may have an issue with the casting, hell no one cared that Smee was Indian, but Pan is a family fun fantasy adventure which as no dull or shallow undercurrent like critics are saying. The story of Pan trying to find his mother is a heartfelt storyline and not one that feels shallow or dark. I do however wish the head nun of the orphanage got her comeuppance. The actress who portrayed her was excellent, she played her similarly to the villain from Matilda.
Pan is a fantasy filled adventure with great performances by its leads and such a magical 3D world it may remind you of Avatar.
Rating: A-
