Review of Pan (2015) by Tyler M — 16 Oct 2015

Flying too fast through a not-too-unfamiliar backstory, this Peter Pan prequel works hard at Finding Neverland but proves more of a Lilly than a Tiger when it comes to storytelling and vision. The production definitely boasts some sprinkling of fairy dust, however, even if it often doesn't give a Tinkerbell's Damn as to out-and-out originality. The flick frolics, furrows, and foretells in most of the right places with much bounce in its step. It's just that Pan brings to mind better adaptations other than those that spring from the works of J.M. Barrie, which spells trouble for this non-franchise starter. The London Blitz backdrops the opening, mirroring C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The aerial ship battles resemble similar dust-ups in Neil Gaiman's Stardust. The early orphanage scenes definitely seem influenced by Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Still, so far as influences go, all involved could've chosen worse even if the end product makes audiences pine more for The Secret Garden than for more Peter Pan. Sadly, aping other movies brings a level of formula to the proceedings which is Pan's ultimate undoing.

In this PG-rated fantasy-adventure, an orphan (Miller) gets spirited away to Neverland, where he finds danger at the hands of Blackbeard (Jackman) and ultimately discovers his destiny--to become the hero who will forever be known as Peter Pan.

As with his CV on the whole (Atonement, Hanna), director Joe Wright shows exquisite attention to the craftsmanship of every scene and sequence...which makes his overuse of CGI all the more baffling. His usually vervy panache often gets kiboshed when pixels - rather than pixies - enter the frame. With Hugo, even working with 3D like Wright, Martin Scorsese used organic effects whenever possible, resulting in a modern family gem. Of course, his film also didn't work in numerous and ultimately muddying plot strands including dyslexia, ether addiction, a Hook-Tigerlilly romance, and evil nuns (atheist Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass if you're still keeping score) either, but that's screenwriter Jason Fuch's cross to bear. Still, he and Wright dream up enough clever moments amidst the predictable beats, mostly noticeably in their casting decisions. Hugh Jackman relishes the role of Blackbeard, as will moviegoers because it's the brightest light in this occasional fog...only the light flickers too infrequently as he's absent for most of the movie. A prequel precludes a follow up but such a whim involved believing in far more than fairies.

Bottom line: Think Crappy Thoughts.