The magic is missing

Rating: Null/10 (2 December 2004)

Production Values: Excellent; great cinematography, costumes, sets, etc.; sure to be nominated for Oscars in several categories
Character Development: Good, as you would expect in this kind of movie
Character Appeal: Kate Winslet's Sylvia is warm and appealing, but Winslet doesn't have that much to work with here. Depp's Barrie is oddly stiff and restrained.
Target Audience: More likely to appeal to women and children.
My Take: After seeing the previews, I was prepared to love this movie. Yet despite the fact that Neverland oozes quality, it didn't hold my interest until the final third. Up to that point, the movie consists mostly of scenes in which Barrie plays make-believe games with Sylvia's children. These scenes didn't work for me at all. Barrie is supposed to be relating to the children on their level, like Peter Pan. But Depp's Barrie pales in comparison with the character Barrie created. Depp isn't nearly as convincing in the role of child-man as Mary Martin was in the classic TV version of Peter Pan. It doesn't help that the director chose to insert fantasy sequences during the make-believe scenes rather than letting Depp use his acting skills to convey each imaginary situation. The only other potentially interesting thing going on in this first section of the movie is the budding relationship between Barrie and Sylvia, if you can call it that. There is not a touch between them or even a longing glance. They only talk about the kids, not each other. The movie does pick up in the final third when rehearsals start for Peter Pan. But in the end it becomes an overly sentimental tear-jerker. 6 out of 10