Sunday, October 11, 2015

Review of PAN: Hookless Hijinks

October 10, 2015




I do not know what is it about Peter Pan that filmmakers keep wanting to make films about him. The animated 1953 Disney classic was quite enough. I did not really like the live action films made about him, including the generally well-reviewed "Hook" (1991) and the generally panned "Peter Pan" (2003). I certainly did not expect that another Pan film would be made again after that last disastrous attempt, but here it is.

This new "Pan" tells us an original origins story that preceded the adventures recounted in the J.M. Barrie book and the Disney animated film. Peter was a feisty orphan in an institution run by an obese monstrous nun. One night during World War 2, Pirates from the sky started snatching young boys up into their ship. Peter and the boys were transported into another world led by a vain, flamboyant, Nirvana-loving leader named Blackbeard, and made to work in his fairy-dust mines. 

When Blackbeard suspected that Peter may be the young boy foretold to overthrow him from power so he was promptly imprisoned. Of course, Peter would escape with the help of fellow inmate James Hook. From there begins his swashbuckling battles against the Pirates. His adventure would also involve other familiar elements of the Pan legend, like Natives (no mention of Indians here), Mermaids, Fairies and a giant Crocodile.

The best thing about this film was the totally charming performance of child actor Levi Miller as Peter Pan. His Peter was charismatic without being overly cutesy or annoying, unlike how other child actors may have played the spirited character. I liked his no-nonsense attack on his role, with a genuine and infectious sense of juvenile excitement. Unfortunately for Miller though, the rest of the adult cast fail to support his valiant efforts to keep the film afloat. 

Hugh Jackman overacts with madman glee to make his Blackbeard pop. However, his gothic leather costume with ruffled skirt comes off as trying too hard. Is he supposed to be funny? I felt it came off as rather desperate. Only Jackman's star power kept that caricature of a role from totally collapsing into a complete embarrassment.

Rooney Mara plays a Tiger Lily with no personality. The makeup on her face and the clothes on her body literally burst with the most vivid colors. Unfortunately it was ironic that the person who wore the most color would turn out to be the one most utterly colorless. 

The most disastrous performance of them all was that of Garrett Hedlund as James Hook. Hook (before his pirate days) was supposed to be Peter's Indiana Jones (in fact he was even annoyingly dressed like Indy), the hero Peter can depend on to get out of the tightest spots with street-smarts and fighting skills. However, Hedlund with his bland looks and wooden acting, had absolutely no screen presence. His lack of chemistry with anyone else really hurt the film badly.

Strangely, despite the breathtaking visual spectacles of giant sky pirate ships and the bright colorful costumes, the film as a whole felt turgid and joyless. There is no spark of magic or wonder at all, as would be expected in a fairytale adventure like this.  Director Joe Wright had done so much better work before in films like "Atonement" and "Anna Karenina". Maybe the CGI extravaganza got into his usually efficient way of storytelling, or maybe Jason Fuchs' script was simply unremarkable in the first place. More buckle than swash. 5/10.


18 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i'm enjoyed the movie and there are some many amazing scenes in this movie. if you want to watch the movie the visit my website. here you can easily watch the pan movie online free in high quality. Watch Pan 2015 Online

    ReplyDelete
  3. How many Peter Pan movies does the world need? Hehe. It's interesting, but I think I've surpassed the feeling of wanting to see a movie about Peter Pan.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I watched Peter Pan a long time ago and that was good at that time. This new film of Peter Pan, maybe, I will this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 5/10? nooooo :( I was thinking of watching this soon but seems like I just have to wait for it online. I though it was great when I watched the trailer.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My brother just watched this and his opinion is actually not too far from yours. I'm really not into watching it because Tiger Lily really is miscast. Tiger Lily is a Native American character, why did they get a very white actress instead of a woman of color?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh. Sad about the movie's turnout. Just the same, too many of the same story could really be dragging, was just hopeful this one would really bring out the magic as how our classic story has.

    ReplyDelete
  8. When I saw the preview, I didn't think it would be all that great, and you just confirmed that for me. I think I'll skip it in the theaters then.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like the concept that hook and peter pan started as friends here. Story-wise, it's a good material. I guess there are a lot of things to work on the execution or Pirates of the Caribbean may have set a very high standard for pirate movies.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hmm... that's weird given that I've seen great reviews from my friends. maybe I will catch it to judge for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I honestly can't relate much from this because I don't know much about Peter Pan. I have an idea of Peter Pan but never his stories. That's why I don't know I'll ever watch this movie.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I liked the peter pan movie but somewhat losing the charm now and with this rating I really need to make up my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm surprised by the low rating. A lot of people have been talking about it which is why I've been so curious about it :D

    ReplyDelete
  14. Will check the cinemas here later. This will serve as a weekend treat.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What? I thought of going to watch this movie with my nieces and nephews this weekend. Hmm.. after reading your review i have to think twice, the rating is quite low. But the poster looks promising.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I feel like if I watch this movie, I'd be comparing it too much with 'Hook'. That classic movie is such a big part of my childhood. I watched it probably a hundred times!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I wanted to see this movie because I'm curious with your insights about Hugh Jackman's performance and Rooney Mara.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm done with Pan movies. I grew up watching them kasi. I am curious lang about your insights about Hugh Jackman's performance. Perhaps, one more Pan film would not do me harm. ha,ha,ha...

    ReplyDelete