Return to Neverland
In the early 2000's DisneyToons kept pushing out sequels to classic Disney Films. And they weren't going to miss a chance to make a sequel to Peter Pan. But they decided they were going to release this one in theaters which is hard to believe since it has a direct to video feel to it.
The sequel takes place long after the first one. Wendy has grown up and now has children of her own. She still likes telling stories about Neverland to her children Jane and Danny. They live in London during WWII and while their father is off fighting in the war Jane decides she will not believe in childish stories anymore and mocks her younger brother for believing in stories about Peter Pan. One night Captain Hook shows up and confuses Jane for Wendy, and brings Jane to Neverland. Still unwilling to believe in fairies and just wanting to go home she makes a deal with Captain Hook to set a trap for Peter Pan. But she ends up learning to have fun with Peter and the Lost Boys and eventually she learns her disbelief is killing Tinker Bell. Despite changing her mind on the deal, Captain Hook manages to kidnap everyone. Jane goes back and starts to believe in fairies and Tinkerbell is resurrected. With Tinks help Jane rescues everyone. When she finally returns home she apologized to Danny and begins to tell him about her adventure. Also instead of a crocodile haunting Captain Hook this time it's a giant octopus that shows up randomly.
I had a lot of issues with the original Peter Pan but this one was just boring. They thankfully avoided any Native American depictions so that was an improvement. The believing in fairies bit hearkens back to the original play and was something that was ignored in the first film so that was a nice addition. But it just felt flat. There were some rock songs in the film which felt out of place in the Peter Pan universe (specifically the remake of "Do You Believe in Magic"). It sounds like the story went through a lot of edits and maybe not having a clear vision really hurt it.
Overall: I think a girl living through a tragedy and then has to be reminded what it's like to be a child again could be a good story. Unfortunately this movie just feels flat and boring. Tinkerbell also does not try to murder anyone so that is a good improvement also.
Random Facts
Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced Wendy in the original, recorded all of her dialogues for the sequel, but then was replaces.
Mermaids were given clothes in this film since they were considered to sexualized in the original.
No comments:
Post a Comment