Change Your Image
motormouth2354
Reviews
Return to Never Land (2002)
A crime against Barrie's novel, just like the first Peter Pan movie
First of all, I must point out that Disney's first Peter Pan movie is a huge letdown to the deep, complex, and meaningful novel by the great Sir James M. Barrie. It simply does not do it justice. Therefor, to base the sequel solely upon that disappointing movie (no matter how cherished it may be by those who enjoyed it as children) is a recipe for disaster. Disney would have been far better off re-reading the novel and using it in conjunction with the events of their first movie.
The only thing Disney did right was naming Wendy's daughter Jane. The last chapter of Barrie's work is about Wendy and her daughter, Jane, and her adventures with Peter Pan. But this excerpt from the novel shows that Disney did not remain true to the character that Barrie created for Jane: "Years rolled on again, and Wendy had a daughter. This ought not to be written in ink but in a golden splash. She was called Jane, and always had an odd inquiring look, as if from the moment she arrived on the mainland she wanted to ask questions. When she was old enough to ask them they were mostly about Peter Pan. She loved to hear of Peter, and Wendy told her all she could remember in the very nursery from which the famous flight had taken place" (258).
The Jane in Return to Neverland is quite obviously NOT interested in Peter Pan, and did not go willingly to Neverland to be with Peter. This is a crime against the book, and Disney should be ashamed of itself.
The novel aside, however, the movie does have a positive message behind it - cherish your childhood. Jane was forced to grow up quickly because of her father's active involvement in WWII. She hated all things childish, and was really more of a bitter adult in a child's body. Then, by the end of the film, she reconnects with her inner child and is reunited with her father and allowed to really enjoy her childhood.
Overall, I think that children will enjoy this movie much more than their parents. Especially if their parents are fond of the novel!
Peter Pan (1953)
Magical. Simply magical.
"Disney movies" and "children's movies" are often used interchangeably, but I believe that Peter Pan is a truly captivating story for both young and old. As a child I was entranced by the beautiful colors and artwork, the mysterious fairies and their magical dust, and the elusive character of Peter Pan. I wanted nothing more than to catch a fairy and keep her as my own. I imagined her teaching me to fly and then leading the way to Neverland. I also found myself yelling at the television near the end of the movie when Peter refuses to go back to London with Wendy. They should get married, darn it! They're perfect together! Hey, I was a kid...
Now, as an adult, I see the story for what I believe Sir James Barrie was trying to say. One stage tradition holds that Captain Hook and Mr. Darling are played by the same actor. Disney stuck with this by using the same voice actor. I believe that Barrie was trying to speak on poor father-child relations, which are still present today. Captain Hook is scary. Children fear and often do not understand their fathers. On a similar note is the crocodile which Hook so deeply fears. The crocodile swallowed a clock (as well as Hook's hand) and now chases Hook around. I believe that this symbolizes a man's fear of time. Or rather a father's fear that he is not close with his children and must hurry up before it's too late.
I fell in love with Peter Pan (both the character and the movie) at a very young age (it was the first movie I ever saw) and continue to love it today. Young or old, boy or girl, man or woman, this movie will warm your heart and hopefully teach you a lesson or two.