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MOVIE REVIEW

Pan

MPA Rating: PG-Rating (MPA) for fantasy action violence, language and some thematic material.

Reviewed by: Jessica D. Lovett
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Average

Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults Teens Kids Family
Genre: Family Fantasy Adventure Comedy Adaptation 3D IMAX
Length: 1 hr. 51 min.
Year of Release: 2015
USA Release: October 9, 2015 (wide)
DVD: December 22, 2015
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Relevant Issues

a band of boys who were lost by their parents

selfishness of childhood / self-centred behaviour

boastful and careless boy

never-ending childhood

forgetfulness

fantasy adventures

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Featuring Hugh JackmanBlackbeard
Levi Miller … Peter Pan
Rooney MaraTiger Lily
Cara Delevingne … Mermaid
Amanda SeyfriedMary
Garrett Hedlund … Hook
Nonso Anozie … Bishop
Paul Kaye … Mutti Voosht
Emerald Fennell … Commander
Kathy Burke … Mother Barnabas
Julian Seager … Livingston
Jimmy Vee … Lofty
Adeel Akhtar … Mr. Smee
See all »
Director Joe Wright — “Hanna” (2011), “Atonement” (2007), “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
Producer Berlanti Productions
Dune Entertainment
Distributor Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures. Trademark logo.Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company

“To truly understand how things end, we must know how they begin.”

Like a wild shopping spree in a candy store, “Pan” exuberantly overwhelms the senses with explosions of vivid color and sugar-rush sweetness. Those expecting a regurgitation of the classic Disney cartoon will be disappointed, as “Pan” is a prequel in the truest sense. Some of the warmly familiar imagery strike a chord—crocodiles, clocks, pirates, Indians—but with a renewed sense of how those elements fit into the new backstory. There are also plenty of literary nods to those who know Barrie’s original Peter Pan stories, like having a character run through Kensington Gardens in London.

Honestly, I was expecting an entertaining, yet slightly stale, retelling of the same ol’ tale, but I was stunned at the creativity and brilliance that this new twist brings to familiar characters, explaining how the original story came into being. “Pan” felt like an independent art film that was suddenly gifted a decent budget, causing it to blossom outward, accordingly. It skillfully mixes the fairy-flying whimsy and swashbuckling heroics of the book with a darkly modernized villain who is sharpened into a three-dimensional character, largely due to Hugh Jackman’s deep portrayal of the pirate’s twisted sense of justice.

Without adding too many spoilers, “Pan” is the story of a 12-year-old orphan named Peter who, as an infant, was left on the doorstep of an orphanage by his mysterious mother. It turns out that Mother Barnabas, the abusive, cruel head nun running the orphanage is in league with pirates, selling orphans to them in exchange for gold. In their rummaging for the truth, Peter and Nibs find a letter from Peter’s mother in his personal file. Peter’s mother had written that she will always love him and promises to be reunited with him someday, giving Peter renewed hope of escaping the harsh orphanage life. Peter and his friend Nibs try to expose Mother Barnabas’s plot, but Peter ends up being taken by the pirates and taken to Neverland where he learns his true destiny!

One amazing thing about this film is that it mixes several seemingly unrelated cultures and styles together (Steampunk, Native American, Indian, cowboy/western, Gothic, WWII era Britain, and modern rock) in an intriguing narrative collage that somehow meshes together seamlessly. There are heroic characters that are self-sacrificing, brave, kind, and loyal—including two strong female warrior characters who show their strength respectfully and with humility toward male characters. Beside the good examples of character present in the film, there are several cautions.

The pirates are painted in such a way that they could be too scary for younger viewers, so use caution before bringing young children. They are definitely nightmare fodder, but do not cross the horror film line, feeling like a sort of cross between circus freak show acts and ragged, ruffled Victorian era pirates. One pirate has three dried human hearts pinned to his vest, but this is only flashed by briefly. The pirates are sadistic and grin menacingly as they kill, but their gunshots are muted in their scariness by the fact that multicolored paint powder bursts forth when people are shot, splattering rainbows, rather than bloody gore.

Certain nuns at the orphanage are seen in a merciless light, but, in my opinion, neither Catholicism nor religion itself are demonized. Peter is seemingly abandoned by his mother, boys are physically and verbally abused by the orphanage workers, kids are abducted by pirates and enslaved in mines. There are also brief scenes with WWII bombers flying over and bombs exploding.

There is no language besides one “heck,” one “darn,” “damnation,” and a “bloody hell.” There are the obvious supernatural elements of the Peter Pan mythology and plenty of action sequences including giant crocodiles, angry natives, and such. There are also completely censored, yet still topless, mermaids and brief drug use by the pirate captain. Tiger Lily’s outfit bares her tummy and little cleavage.

The darker fairytale elements are tempered by pirate ships soaring through space, fairies fighting pirates in crystal caves, and other visual feasts of fantasy. This film is certainly no darker than the book itself or than classic Grimm fairy tales—though given the modern wings of expert CGI, please exercise caution with younger, more sensitive viewers. In short, if you are are a fantasy or classic literature enthusiast and aren’t scared by Hugh Jackman with false teeth and pale, scarred makeup or by huge toothy crocodiles leaping over and attacking ships, you may enjoy this “PG” film.

Violence: Moderate to heavy / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Mild

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—I enjoyed this movie tremendously. There were a few items that were a bit out of place, such as the song that heralded Blackbeard’s appearance and the actor that played Hook seemed a bit fake and overly emotional, but, generally, it was a nice adaptation of a classic book. What I really enjoyed was the theme of Peter trying to come to terms, and grow into, the person he was born to be. I think this echoes what I taught my son, that you don’t have to be someone else to be important, that you just need to accept yourself and work with who are, not who others want you to be.

I realize that others might be put off by his lack of fighting, but I think it works. He’s an inexperienced little boy who knows nothing about fighting with a knife, or even his fists, so it should be expected that he would leave that type of fighting to those more experienced while he struggles to learn how to fly.

While the head nun was depicted in a bad light, I didn’t think it was too offensive or meant to reflect on the Catholic church as a whole. She was simply an end to a means, to show that the boys were living in a horrible situation, and I’m sure in those days the majority of orphanages were run by the church. Of course, as usual, there will be people who read way too much into her depiction, but it fit into the storyline and nicely set up the reason for the ending. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Kathy Wereb, age 45 (USA)
Positive—Thought that there were many inferences toward Christianity. Peter’s mother“s name was Mary. The head of the fairies stated that if he could survive three days, then he was the anointed one. Blackbeard even referred to him as a possible messiah. Peter’s total purpose was to find his mother and to save his people. Am I mistaken or was this a subtle attempt to tell our Savior’s story in a cartoonish setting?
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Mike Metzger, age 67 (USA)
Neutral
Neutral—This retelling of the Peter Pan story will be enjoyed more by kids than adults, at least this adult. The visuals, especially in the last act, are amazing, and the soundtrack by John Powell is outstanding. But some of the flying effects and the creepy looking birds were very cheaply done. It also lacks the charm and the heart of the original Disney and stage versions.

If you are an adult looking for clean entertainment, but don’t have children, I would take a pass on this. It’s clean enough, but lacking professionalism.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Jeff Leslie, age 58 (USA)
Neutral—Well apart from the obvious things they’ve taken out of the Bible the movie was entertaining. They say in this movie a great fairy king’s son, a prince meets Peter Pan’s mother—Mary—and falls in love with her. The prince takes human form to be with her and she gives birth to Peter but because of the big war between the fairies and the evil Blackbeard they have to hide Peter outside of Neverland. The natives in Neverland (a.k.a. Lost boys) know this story and see Peter Pan as their awaited messiah who will liberate them.

So, mother Mary… awaited messiah… son of a king… obviously there’s biblical inspiration. However, some of the cinematography was nice and there were some funny moments.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Julien, age 36 (USA)
Negative
Negative—This movie portrays Catholic nuns as mean, evil people. It was obviously an attack on religious people, as Hollywood usually does. That issue aside, the movie just wasn’t good. It has some interesting visuals, and the 3D was okay, but it just isn’t a good Peter Pan adaptation, so I advise you to skip this movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Alex Johnson, age 24 (USA)
Negative—Good night Irene! Another feminist movie for our young American sons to see. I did like the beginning of the film, where Britain’s finest, the Spitfire Pilots of the Battle of Britain, fired on the Neverland Captain’s ship that was kidnapping Peter Pan. However, and I’m not a Catholic—nor agree with their doctrines, but they do represent Christians to the world. They portrayed the Nuns that have done good in their lives to help people, portrayed as evil, mean, wicked people. Not fair at all. Another Hollywood attack on the image of the Christian, in general.

The Feminist would love this movie. It’s not about the Pan (Peter Pan), it’s really about the swash buckling woman Princess warrior who fights and beats most all the pirate men. Long footage of film was wasted on the fight between her and the Captain Hook imposter. That scene should have been for the Pan to fight the captain, not the girly (all man) woman showing off a million fighting skills. I’m getting tired, yes so tired, of seeing these Hollywood movies showing our sons of America that women, after all, can do all the best fighting, and they will be good in military combat instead of them. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Robert Garcia, age 68 (USA)
Movie Critics
…“Pan” looks great—the special effects are state-of-the-art, and that should delight small children. But the story lacks magic. …
Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
…“Pan” boasts some delightful moments, breathtaking colors, a charming young star, and and the robust energy of veteran performer Hugh Jackman. Yet even so, the film fails to enchant in the way Peter Pan is supposed to. …
Debbie Holloway, Crosswalk
…PAN is a little scary in parts for younger children, and has some brief foul language, but is a fabulous adventure with a strong moral worldview and positive redemptive elements. …
Ted Baehr, Movieguide
…this sweeping, swirling, twinkling explosion of CGI color is a long way from that beloved story about a boy in green tights who never wants to grow up—even if it's got some charms of its own. …
Bob Hoose, Plugged In
…Stripping all whimsy and wonder from the Peter Pan story, Joe Wright's prequel is a busy, bungled bust. …The director displays his typical formal virtuosity and keen eye for young talent here (Aussie newcomer Levi Miller is assured in the title role), but it’s not enough to enliven the depressing dourness of the film’s worldview. …
Andrew Barker, Variety
…a grim and bizarre prequel, with Levi Miller the lone bright spot… You walk out of “Pan” feeling flattened, and bummed out. …
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

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