New Disney offering falls a tad flat

By George Gust

Based on J. M. Barrie’s novel, “Peter Pan & Wendy” also draws inspiration from the 1953 Disney animated classic. On the eve of her leaving for boarding school, Wendy (Ever Anderson) travels with her two younger brothers to the magical world of Neverland. There she meets a boy who refused to grow up (Alexander Molony), a tiny fairy (Yara Shahidi) and an evil pirate captain (Jude Law).

“Peter Pan & Wendy” is the latest in Disney’s ongoing mission to recreate all the most iconic animated films of their celebrated catalogue. Some of these nostalgia-fueled live-action remakes feel like a fun yet unnecessary update to the iconic originals, like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Jungle Book” while others are not only unnecessary, but also missing the basic parts that made the originals so beloved (see the new “Lion King” and most recently “Pinocchio”). “Peter Pan & Wendy” is ultimately somewhere closer to the more successful rehashes, but some of the filmmaker’s choices take the story in a direction too far away from the magic of the original.

The visual styling of “Peter Pan & Wendy” are beautifully realized by director David Lowery with a grounded realism that features sweeping vistas of the magical world of Neverland. However, this emphasis on the realistic deflates the magic that you would except from entering fantastical world filled with pirates, mermaids and lost boys. The result of these realistic choices results in a beautifully appointed Scottish seaside filling the place of Neverland, but it doesn’t feel like the storybook magical world that you may be expecting from the original animated film.

While the film is title “Peter Pan & Wendy” the story centers more so on Wendy and Captain Hook with Peter taking a back seat. Molony in the titular role is serviceable in what the script asked him to do, but the more emotional and resonant roles here were given to Wendy and Hook. Anderson is phenomenal in the role and brings a complexity to this pivotal time in Wendy’s life where she’s not sure about the future of growing up but sees the flaws in staying stuck in Peter’s view of childhood. And Law as Hook is able to bring more empathy than previous editions of the character for this updated interpretation, while still relishing every opportunity to play to the cheap seats in a cartoonish manner.

“Peter Pan & Wendy” has plenty of style and good ideas, but the overall feel of the movie falls somewhat flat when compared to the original film. It’s a tough task to demand that the movie magic of the original animated film that people have grown up with, but with the nostalgia mining going on at Disney it’s hard not to compare the two with “Peter Pan & Wendy” coming in decidedly lesser than.

“Peter Pan & Wendy” is rated PG for violence, peril and thematic elements. Now streaming on Disney+

2.6 out of 5 stars

To reach George Gust for a comment on this review, please e-mail gust.george@gmail.com

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Riversport to host racers

RIVERSPORT will host rowing clubs from Arkansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas for racing, district championships and the opportunity to qualify for the USRowing National Youth Championship. The event is expected to bring over 1400 junior rowers plus parents and coaches to downtown Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District.

The same weekend, RIVERSPORT will host runners in the Red Bull Wings for Life World Run, a fundraiser benefiting the Wings for Life Foundation as it works to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

Spectators are invited to attend the racing at the RIVERSPORT's Finish Line Tower or along the Oklahoma River's 2000m race course. In addition, food trucks, beverages and merchandise will be available for purchase.

USRowing Central Youth Championships racing will be held on the Oklahoma River on Saturday, May 7, 7:30a5:30p and Sunday, May 8, 7:30a - 3:45p.

https://www.riversportokc.org/events/usrowing-central-youth-row ing-championship/ The Red Bull run begins at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Crossword Puzzle

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Ron Jackson