This
past decade Disney has started revisiting their classic animated films by
making “Live Action” updates. With modern films most updates come with a new
look or twist so that audiences feel they are watching something new or
something that can define their generation. Some updates are almost shot for
shot taken from their original. Disney does both. The updates that show a new
spin are film like Alice in Wonderland
and Maleficent. Films that carry the
soul of the original and stray as little as possible include this year’s The Jungle Book and last year’s Cinderella. Growing up as a fan of all
of these classics, my preference leans towards the updates that try to stray as
little as possible; I’m kind of a purist. Pete’s
Dragon is the latest production out of Walt Disney Studios that falls into
the category of maintaining the soul of the original.
I
love the stars that were assembled for this film. Starring in the film are
starring Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic
World) as Grace, Karl Urban (Star
Trek Into Darkness) as Gavin, Robert Redford (Captain America Winter Soldier) as Grace’s father, Wes Bentley (American Beauty) as Jack, Oakes Fegley (Southpaw) as Pete and Oona Laurence (Person of Interest) as Natalie. The film
is directed by David Lowery (Ain’t Them
Bodies Saints) whom also co-wrote the screenplay with Toby Halbrooks. Bryce
Dallas Howard is to me an actress that can do no wrong. There are some actors
and actresses that are carried by their parent’s talent, Bryce is a unique
talent on her own and as far as acting goes surpasses her father Ron Howard.
Karl Urban is an actor that regardless of whether or not I like the film, I
like him. He brings his A-game to every performance. Screen icon Robert Redford
proves that even after a long and diverse career, he can still find new
characters and try roles not associated with anything he has done before. The
two child stars I am unfamiliar with but was completely charmed by how they
played their roles as children from no specific time period.
The updated version of Pete’s Dragon begins with five year old Pete on a holiday with his
parents. While driving down the road near a forest, a deer runs across their
vehicle. Pete’s father swerves to avoid hitting the deer and the vehicle
crashes. Five year old Pete climbs out of the car wreck and wanders into the
woods all alone. Pete is chased by wolves but just before something horrible
happens, something magical happens. A big green dragon comes out from the deep
woods. The dragon scares away the wolves but not Pete. Five year old Pete
stares the dragon in the face and asks if it is going to eat him. Like a giant
puppy, the dragon shakes his head and guffaws. Six years later Pete and the
dragon are best friends. They frolic through the woods together, sleep together,
fly together, they are everything to each other. Meanwhile, the forest around
them is being cut down by a lumber company owned by Jack (Wes Bentley). Doing
her best to protect the woods, Grace (Park Ranger and fiancée to Jack) treks
through the forest marking trees that are inhabited by wildlife. One day, Grace
encounters Gavin (Jack’s brother) leading a team of tree cutters deep in the
woods. While arguing with Gavin, they spot Pete. Curious and concerned how a
boy survived so long in the forest by himself, they bring Pete into town.
Pete’s dragon awakens from a nap and, when he recognizes Pete is gone, heads
out to find his only friend.
Of
all of the things the film delivers on, it is the arc of the dragon (named
Elliot just like the original) that had the greatest emotional impact for me.
Playing Elliot with the personality and traits of a large dog was an incredibly
insightful way of making a dragon seem both believable and lovable. When a film
allows you to cry for a giant computer generated bright green dragon, the film
makers have done their job and done it well.
Rated PG, Pete’s
Dragon is a magical and charming film that is enjoyable for the youngest of
children and will make adult audiences nostalgic for their own childhood.
0 comments :
Post a Comment