Review of Pan (2015) by Phil P — 26 Oct 2015

"Welcome to Neverland!".

I remember saying to myself while watching the trailer for 'Pan' "This looks pretty good! I'm surprised - I can't wait to see this". Oh how wrong I was. Peter Pan is a staple in the world of classic stories. The story has been told numerous times, different angles, actors and with varying degrees of success. You can count 'Pan' an attempt at a Peter Pan prequel in the dire category.

There's the makings of a good idea but that's just it the makings of. The story starts in London England with the usual dark dreary streets as 'Peter' is dropped off at an orphanage, it then jumps ahead as we see his trickery at the expense of the head nun. I quite liked the fairly visual drab start showcasing Peter's joyful rebellion against those that don't see his view of the world. But then he gets captured and taken to Neverland and that's when everything crumbles at quite an alarming rate. It isn't a gradual downfall it's almost instantly as despite Neverland's visual aplomb and inventiveness it's still a boring place to spend time in.

When the visuals come in it becomes clear that that's all the show has. The story is thread bare as there's no discernible point I can see. Something about fairy's and his link to them. It's about 'Peter' but that seems to be as far as they got. The acting is shaky too - somewhat acceptable from the child actor playing 'Peter'. 'Jackman' is probably the best thing about the film giving far more energy than the film deserves. Mara too has some charm and comes out with some dignity.

As for 'Hook' he seems to be from a different film, era and place. His accent, his approach the fact he's supposedly been their for many years despite sticking out - all screams this guy doesn't belong. And for such a pivotal character in the future of 'Peter' that it beggars belief that they chose this persona.

All those things Iv'e mentioned the acting, the lack of any sort of story, the characters they all pale in comparison to the main problem. And that's it's so bland and dull that it's a slog to get through. That's the worst thing a film can be, a bad film can be entertaining, a good film can be flawed but boring is just that. It's just utterly forgettable. It might in the future become a good answer for quizzes.. Oh and yes that was Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' sung near the beginning and no I don't know why it's in there.