Peter Pan & Wendy: Movie Review

Cast: Ever Anderson, Jude Law, Alexander Molony, Yara Shahidi, Jim Gaffigan

Director: David Lowery

Disney continues its live action remakes of its own catalogue, cannibalising its own past and rewriting elements that feel more of the time.

The latest is JM Barrie's Peter Pan, given a 21st century makeover by Pete's Dragon director David Lowery and blessed with a diverse cast and a troubled Jude Law as Captain Hook.

For those unfamiliar with this tale as old as time, it's the story of Ever Anderson's Wendy, who's told to grow up by her father ahead of going on a trip. Feeling too young to be old and too old to be young,
Wendy's trapped in her world, until one night, Yara Shahidi's Tinker Bell flies through the window along with Alexander Molony's Peter Pan.

Transporting them off to Neverland, the crew flies right into danger as Jude Law's Captain Hook threatens revenge against Peter.

Peter Pan & Wendy may be packed with moments of recognition and 21st century upgrades, as the group flies through the skies like they're in some kind of warp space series (a Last Jedi lightspeed nod if ever there was one).

Whilst there is whimsy as well, the film benefits from a strong lead with Anderson who leads from the hilt and eclipses Molony, who's a rather softer choice for Pan and his youthful antics.

With most of the film being led by musical cues and a luscious soundtrack, there are echoes of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean in both humour and the rapscallion of Hook's crew. But it does lack a magical edge that Peter Pan generally had and the magic of dreaming and staying young in a world that wants you to grow up.

Jude Law, complete with his lank locks of hair and mismatched eyes, goes for troubled more than deliciously evil as a villain who once again gets a Disney explanation as to why he's so troubled - the redemption of Disney villains continues apace, and while it's not quite as successful on that front, Law gives his all and chews every piece of scenery going.

With an absence of the crocodile and an ending that's more for the heart than the original, Peter Pan & Wendy feels like a family film writ large that doesn't quite hit the highs of the fondly loved original, but will hit a spot for anyone looking for a darker tone of a familiar favourite.

Peter Pan & Wendy is streaming now on Disney+