Review of Pete's Dragon (2016) by Scotty W — 21 Aug 2016

If you feel even the slightest bit numb from the experience of watching gritty and grueling studio films action and independent dramas, then Pete's Dragon is the antidote to all of that; a lesson in pure and emotionally truthful storytelling that will remind you again and again of the awesome power motion pictures wield.

Not without its faults, Pete's Dragon does take its time in unfolding the cliché plot; favoring lengthy character interactions without dialogue (which is both admirable in their execution, but also frustrating in its deliberately slow pacing).

However, beyond these quibbles, Pete's Dragon rests squarely on the shoulders of its young star, Oakes Fegley, who is strong in this film, he blows away everyone else he has scenes with, including Robert Redford, who just looks happy to be involved (but don't get me wrong he does a fine job too).

Probably since Perks of Being A Wallflower, I have not had an experience as pure, as emotional, as magical as I did watching Pete's Dragon.