Peter Pan

Plot synopsis:
Set in London, circa 1900, George and Mary Darling's preparations to attend a party are disrupted by the antics of their boys, John and Michael, acting out a story about Peter Pan and the pirates, told to them by their older sister, Wendy. Their father, who is fed up with the stories that have made his children less practical, angrily declares that Wendy has gotten too old to continue staying in the nursery with them. That night, they are visited in the nursery by Peter Pan himself, who teaches them to fly with the help of his pixie friend, Tinker Bell, and takes them with him to the island of Never Land.
A ship of pirates is anchored off Never Land, commanded by Captain Hook with his sidekick, Mr. Smee. Hook boldly plots to take revenge upon Peter Pan for cutting off his hand, but trembles at the presence of a crocodile, which consumed Hook’s hand and is eager to taste the rest of him. The crew's restlessness is interrupted by the arrival of Peter and the Darlings. Tinker Bell, who is very jealous of Pan’s attention to Wendy, persuades the Lost Boys that Pan has ordered them to shoot down Wendy, which Tink refers to as a “Wendy bird”. Tinker Bell's treachery is soon found out, and Peter banishes her. John and Michael set off with the Lost Boys to find the island's Indians, who instead capture them, believing them to be the ones responsible for taking the chief's daughter, Tiger Lily.
Meanwhile, Peter takes Wendy to see the mermaids. The mischievous mermaids delight in tormenting Wendy but flee in terror at the sight of Hook. Peter and Wendy see that Hook and Smee have captured Tiger Lily so that they might persuade her to disclose Peter's hideout. Peter and Wendy free her, and Peter is honored by the tribe. Hook then plots to take advantage of Tinker Bell's jealousy of Wendy, tricking her into revealing the location of Peter's lair. Wendy and her brothers eventually grow homesick and plan to return home. They invite Peter and the Lost Boys to return to London and be adopted by the Darling parents. The Lost Boys agree, but Peter is so set against growing up that he refuses, presumptuously thinking that they will all return shortly. The pirates lie in wait and capture the Lost Boys and the Darlings as they exit, leaving behind a time bomb to kill Peter. Tinker Bell learns of the plot just in time to snatch the bomb from Peter as it explodes.
Peter rescues Tinker Bell from the rubble and together they confront the pirates, releasing the children before they can walk the plank. Peter engages Hook in single combat as the children fight off the crew, and finally succeeds in humiliating the captain. Hook and his crew flee, with the crocodile in hot pursuit. Peter gallantly commandeers the deserted ship, and assisted by Tinker Bell's pixie dust, flies it to London with the children aboard. However, the Lost Boys decide to return to Never Land rather than be adopted in London. Mr. and Mrs. Darling return home from the party to find Wendy not in her bed, but sleeping at the open window. Wendy awakens and excitedly tells about their adventures. The parents look out the window and see what appears to be a pirate ship in the clouds. Mr. Darling, who has softened his position about Wendy staying in the nursery, recognizes it from his own childhood.

Tags: fantasy, murder, violence, action, romantic, storytelling

Review:
As a long time lover of the J.M. Barrie stories and play, all I can say is that P.J. Hogan's "Peter Pan" is the Pan movie I have waited my entire life for.
Hogan and company have brought the Barrie work to the screen and have rightly restored to it a child's sense of awe and wonder, of both beauty and terror co-existing side by side and for this reason alone it is the definitive film version of Peter Pan. The definitive version.
Please don't despair, as it turns out, the latest may just be the greatest of them all.In late 2003, Director P.J. Hogan brought to the screen his vision of the boy who would never grow up and having just viewed it on DVD, I can proclaim with all honesty that it shall forever be the definitive version of Peter Pan. Well, at least for me it will be.
These are just a few of the many magical, charming, and energizing moments throughout Peter Pan.As for the story, it pretty much sticks to previous incarnations we've seen in the books, films, and on Broadway.
I do not believe that this film's handling of this aspect of the book was merely present in "sick adult humour", I believe that it was beautifully hinted at in a way which would stimulate adult appreciation and childish fascination in the character of Pan.I should like to make mention of the parallel which Mr Ulmer draws between this version of Peter Pan and Jumanji (namely the use of the same actors to play the adversary and the father of the lead character) is not just a trick put in to hark back to that film.
Indeed the tradition of the same actor playing the role of Mr Darling AND Hook dates back to the story's original appearance as a stage play at the turn of the century and has been carried on on most occasions since then, though I concede that the Disney version (a far less worthy and sterilised version) failed to keep this tradition up.As for the point at which the two boys are hung upside down in their nightshirts, I thought it was funny, as did the rest of the audience in the theatre and we certainly weren't there with a red pen counting the number of bottom shots as Mr Ulmer appears to have done.
I've always loved the story of Peter Pan; I grew up watching the Disney and Mary Martin versions, and always thought the story to be one of undeniable power and beauty.
I laughed, gasped, and cried, and the movie had my complete and enthralled attention from the opening notes of James Newton Howard's equally magical score through the end credits.The actors and actresses for this film are all superb, Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy and Jason Isaacs doubling as Captain James Hook and George Darling being the obvious and inarguable standouts.
Miss Hurd-Wood perfectly captures the spirit of Wendy--maternal, precocious, brave, loving, and loyal--and Mr. Isaacs is endearing as Mr. Darling and both fearsome and deliciously erotic as Captain Hook.Jeremy Sumpter also did a fabulous job as the title character, Peter Pan, and I thoroughly disagree with those who proclaim his performance as "wooden"; in my opinion, he captured Pan's eternally childlike spirit perfectly, and the chemistry between him and Miss Hurd-Wood was very real and something that was sadly missing from both the Disney-fied version and the stage versions which have cast women in the role of Peter.The Lost Boys were all brilliant, and worked together and with Mr. Sumpter comfortably to create a believable and familiar little family.
The lovely and gentle Olivia Williams was a wonderful Mrs. Mary Darling, and her exchanges with Mr. Isaacs as Mr. Darling were believably loving.James Newton Howard did a wonderful job with the musical score for this film, completely capturing with both adult and children choirs, lilting woodwinds and strings, synthesizers, menacing and heroic brass, and magical bells, the spirit of Neverland and of Peter--mysterious, enchanting, innocent, with an undercurrent of darkness just beneath the surface that erupts full-force when Captain Hook is on the screen.
We attended the World Premier of "Peter Pan" in London and are happy to report that the film is exquisitely lensed, brilliantly cast and resounding with Barrie's original concepts of growth, loss and the bittersweet beauties of life.For young and old, this is definitely a must-see film.
Children will be able to enjoy the story on the full-blown adventure/fantasy scale, while adults will be deeply moved by the underlying emotion of Barrie's classic tale.While watching the film I was caught by the memory of being a child again.
M. Barrie's book, a sweet little English Victorian children's fairy tale with adult overtones, that tells the story of Pan, the boy who never grows up.
Jeremy as Peter has some rather heartbreaking moments that affected my male heart, and like all men, I suddenly felt a longing to be a lost boy.Wendy's father sans Captain Hook, is traditionally one in the same, and this movie rendition is no different.
That is because to even my amazement, the last time the true story of Peter Pan was done in a live action format was in 1924 starring the two above mentioned actors that while appearing in over 80 films collectively, we probably wouldn't recognize them if they walked down the street with name tags on their shirts.Enter December 2003, and P.J. Hogan's retelling of the classic tale that hit theatres amongst all the Oscar hopefuls and faded from memory before recouping even half of its reported $100 million dollar budget.
To have to spend time telling the true story of Peter Pan would mean that the reader of the critique was robbed of an incredible children's story about a fantasy land where kids never grew up and a pirate by the name of Hook set out on a personal crusade to avenge the hand he lost in an earlier confrontation with his nemesis, Pan.This updated version stars a bunch of newbies or character actors that might seem familiar if unplaced at the time of your viewing.
But pursued to the ruthless Hook and his pirates entourage, there are lessons to be learned, enemies to be defeated and as is ultimate in any fairy tale, a happy ending to endure.One of the first things you will notice while watching Peter Pan is the incredible production values.
When Pan and Hook eventually fight amongst the clouds and ships masts in the climax, the shadows are just perfect, the effects are not hokey and the style allows for the actors to feel free from the restraints of the conventional wires we were accustomed to seeing in cheaper adaptations.Sure, there was a few things that bothered me a little (the repeating 5 note musical score for one), but I was amazed how transformed I became while watching a movie that I was embarrassed that I coupled with Kill Bill Vol. 1 with my rental at the video store.
But it is his bravado, tempered with his boyish charm, that gives the role a new "feel" that was always lacking in past renditions of the tale of Peter Pan. He looks as though he is having a great time playing the part, and his delight at being the boy who never has to grow up leaps off the screen and envelopes the audience.
I thought Jason Isaacs did a terrific job as Hook and as far as Jeremy Sumpter goes as playing the titled role as Peter Pan, I thought he did amazing.
Peter Pan took viewers on a magical adventure to Neverland and back with the three Darling children, portrayed beautifully by Rachel Hurd-Wood, Harry Newell, and Freddie Popplewell.When I saw this brilliant movie for the first time, I was drawn in and flown away to Neverland where I battled pirates, believed in fairies, and truly didn't want to grow up.
The mixed reviews for P.J. Hogan's 2003 hit "Peter Pan" leave you wondering if adults should be permitted to give a bad rating to a children's film.
"Peter Pan" is really Wendy's story and there is no fault to find in Rachel Hurd-Wood's performance, which would be good enough to carry the film but fortunately is not required to do so.
Wendy is second only to Wonderland's Alice as the bravest literary heroine of all time and Hogan nicely incorporates the many admirable qualities of her character into the story.Jeremy Sumpter's Peter is far more obnoxious than appealing, but isn't that what you would expect from a boy who refuses to grow old.
You will have a much greater appreciation both for what J.M. Barrie was trying to capture in his original play and how this version nails it.)I guarantee you have never seen the story of Peter Pan told like this before, even though it is probably the most true to Barrie's original intent, in-so-far-as what he wanted you to realize about the suffering involved in growing up.
Mary Martin and Walt Disney did not even scratch the surface of the depths to which this movie plunges.In this film we are introduced to two central children of the same adolescent age, Peter Pan and Wendy Darling.
Peter is barely a boy, and Wendy just barely a woman.This rift creates a sexual tension between the two that Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood deliver beautifully, especially the latter (this is the first version of the story that ever has the two share an on-screen/stage kiss).
But whereas people must eventually grow up, fall in love, take on responsibility and start a family of their own, Peter has found a way to always remain a boy.This version also presents the most evil Hook of them all, and not because he makes Pan walk the plank or kills Lost Boys.
This means that every moment of this movie can be captured as a screen shot and would still be visually stunning, the mark of truly imaginative and brilliant cinematography.After watching Peter Pan, you will go on living your adult life, acquiring more and more responsibility until retirement and death.
The film centers about Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter), Tink (Ludivine Sagnier), Wendy (Raquel Evan-Wood) and brothers who escape from parents' home (Jason Isaacs and Olivia Williams) and they are going to Neverland .
Yes, the Disney film is a classic, it is one of my favorites...but now watching PP03 and bein older than I was when I first heard of peter, the boy who flew and never grew up...has put the entire world of neverland in greater perspective, one with more colors, more depth to the story...in all its ambiguity and this film really does love its characters.The Disney version was sweet and charming, this was too.
It was the same in the Barrie's book version, but making this movie could've been a great way to really stretch the picture of Neverland.I know and believe P.J. Hogan could've thought of great adventures if he wanted to.I am only 13 years old...and watching this film made me want to turn back time and stay being a mere 9 year old.
Barrie's fantasy story of what happens when a boy who refuses to grow up meets a girl who must.Director P.J. Hogan gives us a film that plays like live action in a series of stylized paintings.
The 100-year-old tale tracks over familiar ground yet seems totally fresh  a wonderfully off-kilter recounting of a young girl's coming of age, told with compassion, style and grace.As Peter Pan, Jeremy Sumpter is believable as a selfish child trapped in the never-ending exuberance of youth..
'I'm sorry I must grow up,' she tells him.It's significant that Hook and the pirates of Neverland were central characters in Wendy's stories before Peter Pan showed up.
I understand that child labor laws have long kept boys from playing the title role, but I'd be willing to bet that there was/is also an underlying desire to suppress the sensual themes explored in the original story by having the safety of a female playing Pan. As Roger Ebert so aptly put it, "The sensuality is there, and the other versions have pretended it was not." (I agree, although the Disney version walked that fine line very delicately, what with the playing up of Peter's "rock star" appeal to basically every female he came across, including the mermaids and Tiger Lily....the latter, in this film version, becoming a belle for John instead.)Another intertesting choice in this film was the decision to make Captain Hook a rather attractive in that oh-so forbidden way (which is subtley hinted at in the book).
It was an effective choice though, as we are able to fully understand Wendy's moral dilemma when she is faced with the decision of staying underground with the emotionally detatched Peter or to become a pirate alongside the fascinating Hook, whom she describes as "a man of feelings."To all the critics out there who have flown into such a tizzy about this movie being so "overtly sexual," alls I hafta to say is Please seek a therapist, because you obviously have some unresolved Freudian issues that you are taking out on this film.
The tale of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, Tink, Neverland and the crocodile that ate the hand of Captain Hook with an alarm clock, is told again, in a delightful version, for adults and children, of this classic fairytale.
However, I believe that the important role of Peter Pan deserved a better actor, since Jeremy Sumpter is expressionless in most dramatic situations, keeping the same face along the movie.
This is the closest Peter Pan to the book that has ever been made-I recommend it for Adults-not exactly for kids.When I was a wee young thing my Italian Noni used to read us bedtime stories-usually not the ones with happy endings-more the dark kind.
He is the only character who makes us all feel nostalgic about the lovely days of our childhood.This is precisely what must have motivated talented Australian director P.J.Hogan when he started this film.His film has remained truthful to the idea and the spirit of the book as viewers get a chance to see their favorite hero Peter Pan create magic around the kids from Darling family when he takes them to different adventures.Young actor Jeremy Sumpter looks credible as Peter Pan.This is a perfect film to watch if you want to share your happiness with other members of your family..
I love the story of Peter Pan and I thought this was a good film.
Although it is not necessarily completely true to the original book, it is an enjoyable and emotional family film that is worth it's hour and forty nine minutes.I can't say I liked Wood(Wendy Darling)'s performance personally finding her quite annoying and brash, however it was well made up for by Chester (Slightly - Lost Boy)'s quick witted and amusing comments.
This isn't the Disney "happy time" Peter Pan, but one that has it's darker, more sinister moments...as it should, and yet keeps it just a step away from the line so as to remain a film that the whole family can enjoy.I highly recommend this movie to young and old alike...to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, family movies and the like.
I have rarely seen a portrayal of the innocent sweetness of first love that felt more true.More, Hogan's screenplay really brought out some of the subtexts of the story in a way that made them clearer without knocking you senseless with them (Peter's connection with Neverland, the nature of fairies, the tragic side of never growing up, etc.).If you have any love for the story, whether from films, plays or books, you owe it to yourself to see this adaptation.
In the movie  Peter  Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) is always listening to the stories Wendy (Rachel Hurd-Wood) was telling her brothers.
It is the classic story of peter pan, the boy who never wants to grow up, yet it is also so much more than that.For kids its a fun film about fighting, pirates, swords and never growing up and then for adults there is all this and more.
I actually think adults would enjoy this film more than children, just for the fact of how it makes you feel.I have only ever seen the Disney animation of 'peter pan', as a child and 'hook' more recently.
Jeremy Sumpter is great as Peter, Rachel Hurd-Wood is amazing as Wendy Darling, and Jason Isaacs is brilliant in the dual roles of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the 1953 classic, but one thing they failed to do in that they do in this was give him personality and pizazz, and actually feelings towards Wendy, the sexual tension between them was easy to spot and another great thing about the movie; Don't even get me started on Hook.In the 1953 we only see Peter Pan with a one-sided attitude that keeps throughout the whole film, but in this they took the extra step and actually taught him to love, and as well as change his emotions dramatically.
Peter Pan is a timeless tale of a land far away where children won't grow up, and after watching this movie, you're left with a feeling of longing for that Neverland.
This is a visually beautiful film and Jeremy Sumpter makes a terrific Peter Pan. All of the kids and adult actors do a fine job, and Jason Isaacs does his usual outstanding work, this time in the dual role of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling.
Lead star Jeremy Sumpter was born to play Peter Pan. His role is simply the best by a young actor that I have seen in many years.
His use of color gave the movie a more fantasy-like feel, at the same time drawing you in this fantastic world.The two lead actors, Jeremy Sumpter (Peter) and Rachel Hurd-Wood (Wendy) have wonderful chemistry onscreen.
At first I was cautious of another Peter Pan movie, but forget Hook and the animated version.The stand out is Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy.