C+ |
**½ |
-1|
Teens & Up
The film depicts Barrie coming into the Llewelyn Davies boys’ lives like Robin Williams into the lives of his students in
Dead Poets Society. This isn’t a story about magical childhood soaring where no adult can follow, but about a magical adult imparting the gift of imagination to children.
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B |
*** |
+1|
Kids & Up*
One of the functions of fairy tales is to reflect in an
imaginative way truths that, were they presented literally,
children might not be ready for, but which they can on some level
apprehend and assimilate in this form, and be in some way more
prepared emotionally for life. Fairy tales help children grasp
what life expects of them, what dangers, adversities, and
opportunities they will face. From them children can begin to
learn the prudence to avoid the dangers, the fortitude to face
the adversities, and the enterprise to seize the
opportunities.
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B+ |
*** |
+0|
Kids & Up
For millions of children and adults, Disney’s
Peter Pan is THE
Peter Pan, as well as a defining moment in Disney animation, giving the studio its logo mascot, Tinker Bell.
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A- |
***½ |
+1|
Kids & Up
It may seem heresy to baby boomers with fond
memories of Mary Martin singing and flying on NBC, but this
beautifully produced A&E restaging of the musical, starring
gymnast-turned-actress Cathy Rigby, eclipses the beloved 1960
Martin kinescope in almost every way.
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A- |
***½ |
+1|
Kids & Up
Continuing a stage convention that would extend to subsequent
film versions, Pan is played by a petite woman, teenaged Betty
Bronson (hand-picked by Barrie himself), who brings tomboyish
energy and dash to the role. Ernest Torrence sneers with foppish
malevolence as Captain Hook, and Mary Brian makes a charming
Wendy. The stage flying effects work just as well onscreen, and
George Ali reprises his delightful costumed animal performances
from the stage as Nana and the crocodile.
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C+ |
*** |
+0|
Kids & Up
Return to Never Land is Peter Pan Lite,
if I can say that without conjuring images of low-fat peanut
butter.
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