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Peter Pan (Full Screen Edition)

Peter Pan (Full Screen Edition)

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $17.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Seen it a million times before
Review: The acting was good, the special effects were very good, but it just seemed like I've seen this a million times before and there really was no point in making this film. Much of the dialog seemed to be lifted right from the cartoon or the play. Personally, I liked the cartoon Disney version much better. There was more charm and personality in it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Glittering With Pixie Dust ... ...
Review: Peter Pan (2003) is one gorgeously produced film with lots of real heart put into it. One of those rare films where the dazzling special effects actually takes a back seat to just a great classic children's story to be told here. No corny musical interludes (where you've just got to hit the fast forward scan button) are to be found here. Jason Isaacs portrayal of Captain Hook has a excellent Basil Rathbone flavor to it. Mr. Isaacs also portray's Mr. Darling to equally great effect. I really enjoyed this movie. The DVD also features a alternate ending to see what happened to Wendy all grown up.
Tons of "making of" extras. Sadly, no Director's commentary.
I could go on and on about my admiration for this film. Til' Then, ENJOY.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Fantastic version of Peter Pan. I haven't read the book, but I get the impression this is closer to the original story line than the more sanitized versions we've seen in the past.

This was more than just an adventure story of a boy who never grows up battling pirates. I didn't expect the tenderness of the romance that develops between Peter and Wendy, and least of all, I never expected her to actually give him a proper "non-thimble" kiss, and what a sweet kiss it was.

Jason Isaacs played a fabulous Captain Hook and Mr. Darling. This Hook was quite sinister yet humanistic and lonely creature. I did feel a bit sorry for him in the end. I've always had the hots for him.

Jeremy Sumpter made a brilliant Pan: carefree, mischevious yet still vulnerable. The boy is quite a looker. He'll turn a lot of heads and break a lot of hearts in the future.

Definitely worth buying for chidren of all ages and adults alike.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Real "Peter Pan"
Review: When this movie first came out, I thought it would be like all the other horrible renditions and therefore didn't want to see it. I only saw it because my mom wanted to go see it for her christmas, and I couldn't say no. Now I can say that I was definately mistaken....
I thought this movie was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!I know own the DVD, and have already seen it twice. Let's start with the actors. Jeremy Sumpter was perfectly cast as Peter Pan. A clever, cocky young boy that is only interested in having fun. Rachel Hurd-Wood made an excellent Wendy, and I thought that she and Jeremy Sumpter had great chemistry on screen. Many people say that there relationship was to mature for this film, but those people haven't read the book! They are supposed to have feelings for each other! Also, one cannot forget Jason Issacs as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook. He was a strict father and a terrible evil Hook, and he managed to make teh roles so different.
The special effects were amazing, the movie stayed very true to the book, and it was basically flawless. The only small flaw was the music. I own the CD, and I love it, but they play the main theme way too much. It is beautiful I will admit, but they could tone it down just a bit. Other than that, it is an incredible movie that I suggest everyone should see!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A disgrace to Peter Pan fame.
Review: I ask myself now: what could really in all honesty be expected of this oft-retold story? Though I find no fault with the Peter pan story in general, this movie is a big disapointment for several reasons. Firstly, the parts of WEndy and Peter I can only say are annoying, and rendered a little disturbing by the semi-repellent, underlying Pre-teen romance that intrudes itself unceremoniously throughout. Tinkerbell is nothing short of irritating likewise. And Captian Hook is dull. I must admit that though there are some funny scenes and lines, the overall effect of the movie was uninteresting and tedious.

One of my friends spoke highly of this movie, and trusting her taste I did go into the theater with an open mind, however it proved to be just as disapointing as so many other film's we have confidence in, beforehand. I am very fond of the Disney cartoon version, and even "Hook", with Robin Williams is an enjoyable entertainment, but this Peter Pan is a little much. They should really stop trying to remake this movie every five years, it's getting a little annoying.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the greatest children's films for adults of all time
Review: I do not think that most kids can appreciate how great of a movie P.J. Hogan has made with this new version of "Peter Pan." However you really have to be familiar with not only all of the various versions of the story from Disney to Steven Spielberg but also J. M. Barrie's original plays and books to really appreciate everything that is in this movie. Hogan's purpose was to go back to that original material, but it is impossible not to touch upon everything that has come since then. My generation cannot hear the words "I do believe in fairies" without thinking of Mary Martin beckoning out from our television sets beseeching us to clap (or when Smee turns and gives an aside to the viewer).

On the one hand there are the fantastic elements as Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) and the Darling children Wendy (Rachel Hurd-Wood), John (Harry Newell), and Michael (Freddie Popplewell) fly off to Never-Land. But this is a more realistic Never-Land than every before for all the wonderful computer generated images. More importantly, these are more realistic children than ever before. Peter Pan is the boy who will never grow up, but he is also on the cusp of puberty, as is Wendy. Into the Darling household comes Aunt Millicent (Lynn Redgrave), who insists that Wendy is not a girl anymore and while her father should start looking for marital prospects at the bank where he works, the more immediate goal is to move her out of the bedroom she shares with her brothers. When Peter Pan appears on the windowsill and requires his shadow to be sewn back onto this feet, Wendy not only does the sewing but accepts his offer to come to Never-Land because she too desperately wants to avoid growing up.

In this "Peter Pan" a kiss is more than just a thimble. This is not to suggest that there is a sexual element to these children or this film that parents need to worry about, but there is the potential for sexuality in Peter and Wendy. It is around the corner and that is important because there is a price to pay for never growing up, and never before has the tragic flip side of Peter Pan's joyful and magical existence been so obvious in telling this tale. Adults will recognize that period of their life it all it's metaphoric splendor in this film.

We also have the most realistic Captain Hook (Jason Issacs) of our acquaintance as well. Hogan continues the long-standing tradition of having the actor who plays Hook do double duty as Mr. Darling as well, but in this richer vision of the story they are as opposite as night and day. When this Hook crosses swords with Peter we know that they it might look like great fun, but these two are deadly serious about the final, fatal outcome. More importantly, when this Hook blusters and bellows he manages to do it without falling into parody. This is Hook as Barrie intended him to be, larger than life, but still a real figure.

Ultimately the power running throughout this story is the power of the story. The Lost Boys are despearate for a mother and to them Wendy can fulfill the role because she has what they consider to be the single requirement: she can tell stories. But there is another, more important requirement for a mother, and this film remembers that as well in the end when the Darling children return to their mother (Olivia Williams). I especially liked the way the film plays the beginning of the reunion of the scene, a nice underscoring of the idea that you can wish for something so hard that you do not notice when you have it.

This is a stunning visual film, but it is also a film of substance that mines Barrie's idea of the boy who would not grow up for everything it is worth. This "Peter Pan" has a depth greater than every all the other versions we have seen on the silver screen to date. This is a glorious film and even if few will really appreciate it the way it truly deserves, there is still the fact that just coming into contact with it will open the minds of its viewers to the greater realm of meaning and significance. Besides, there is always the possibility that somewhere down the road as they enjoy this beautiful film again and again, that eventually they will appreciate what it is all about.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Never Liked Peter Pan Until Now...
Review: I'd never understood the story of Peter Pan. The Disney version is still probably my least favorite fairy tale adaptation of all of the Disney animated films. And every play or televised version featured a Peter Pan who was played by a tiny, female actress or gymnast, doing very little to bring the story to life for me. So last year, when I took my children to see the movie, I figured I'd settle in for a little nap while they enjoyed the kiddie flick. Boy, was I ever surprised when I walked out of the theatre completely bedazzled.

Never before has this story been presented with the very important angle of the innocent romance between Wendy and Peter, an angle that goes a long way in explaining both the reluctance and the desire to grow up. Finally, with this adaptation, I understood why Wendy might decide to grow up despite the allure of Neverland, and why Peter might regret his eventual decision to remain a forever-boy.

Adding to this the wonderful chemistry between Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood and you have a movie that appeals to kids on an adventure level and to adults on an emotional level. The vulnerability and grief in Peter's eyes during the final scene were enough to bring tears to my own. And I have to say that this movie contained one of the sweetest on-screen kisses I've seen in a long time. Using actors that are (or are very near) the actual ages of Wendy and Peter was a spot-on decision, because their very natural fascination with each other and awkwardness about these new and amazing feelings showed in every one of their scenes together.

The film itself is beautiful and lush. Only complaint I have is in the final battle scene between Peter and Captain Hook when the red lighting is used to an extreme, making it difficult to see properly and distracting from rather than adding to the feel of the moment.

Finally, I simply loved the casting of this film. Jason Isaacs showed the perfect balance between cartoon evil and human realism with his Captain Hook. Rachel Hurd-Wood was amazing as the fearless girl who could hold her own against pirates and Lost Boys, yet still showed that special romantic, dreamy quality of all young girls. And Jeremy Sumpter perfectly nailed Peter Pan - confident and cocky with a grin that is going to turn into a wicked lady-killer someday, yet still he showed Peter's ultimate sadness so very well.

Wonderful movie. I'd pick this one over the Disney version any day of the year.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Real Need
Review: We probably all know the story by heart now. Three kids whisked away from their London nursery by an elflish lad and a jealous sprite. A mean ol' pirate with a grudge the size of Neverland Island. One hungry croc. So while the story is not new, this new verison of it is a sumptious visual feast, wonderful for both adults and children alike.

Based on the classic children's tale "Peter Pan" by J. M. Barrie, this movie attempts to be a somewhat faithful adaptation to the original story. P.J. Hogan's retelling allows for some dramatic departures to help propel the story along, but generally stays to the well-loved pattern. What he takes in creative licenses, he returns fourfold in absolute charm and beauty.

This Peter Pan is lucsious. With generous use of special effects, and stunning visual displays, Neverland has come alive as never before. It is storybook real, with scenery so thick it looks like you could cut it with a knife and find it full of frosting. A review aptly compared the visual style to that of a Maxwell Parrish painting, rightfully so. This is a dreamy film.

Also, some different touches I appreciated. First, Pan himself finallly played by a boy. While I LOVED Mary Martin's Pan (she, along with Disney's, was my first), this character begs to be played by a boy, and Jeremy Sumpter revels in his role. He brings a childish sensuality to the role, as he interacts innocently with Rachel Hurd-Wood's Wendy. Jason Isaacs follows Pan tradition and plays both Mr. Darling and Hook with appropriate meance and glee. Plus, there is a natural attraction to the very Englishness of the story. Much of my early childhood was formed between the pages of Pan and Poppins, so the righteous properness of this story comforts and charms.

There is a real need for good movies that both children and adults can watch, and this is one of them. A classic book will become a classic movie for generations to follow, to enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It brought me back to my childhood!!
Review: eventhough i'm 24 this movie made me feel like a toddler it's really worthseeing, it'll make you dream, and i can only say "I believe in Fairies!!!"

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brilliant, complex, true to Barrie's story. Hurrah!
Review: This is a beautiful, fantastic film! It is a feast for the eyes, and remains true to the complex themes of the true Peter Pan. There has never been a better, stronger, more beautiful Wendy than Rachel Hurd-Wood. Jason Isaacs as Capt. Hook is wicked, charming, attractive, and NASTY! He delivers some great lines along the way..."Wendy.....Darling." The special effects are fantastic, the sets gorgeous, and Peter is really a great, fun, dirty boy instead of a girly-boy like in previous interpretations. Props to the cast, crew, and director -- this is the best Peter Pan ever!


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