"Return to Never Land" G, but some peril (5 and up) Reviewed February, 2002
This pleasant but forgettable sequel to Disney's "Peter Pan" is not just not
up to the original animated feature. It is not even up to the standard set
by the vintage Pluto cartoon ("Pluto's Fledgling," from 1957) that precedes
it.
The original has terrific songs ("You Can Fly," "Never Smile at a
Crocodile") and one of my all-time favorite movie moments, as Peter, Wendy,
Michael, and John soar around Big Ben and look down on Victorian London.
This version manages a couple of magical moments, especially the opening
credit sequence and Captain Hook's pirate ship flying through London, but
the music, performances, animation, and story are strictly at the
straight-to-video level.
Wendy has grown up, and is married with two children, Jane and Daniel. She
loves to tell them stories about Peter Pan and Captain Hook. But World War
II is underway, and London is blasted by bombs. Wendy's husband leaves for
the war, telling Jane to take care of her mother and brother. Jane is
strong and brave, leading Nana 2 through London in the midst of an attack.
But she can't let herself believe in Peter Pan or fairies, because that
would make it even harder to bear the loss and destruction - and the fear.
So she gives her little brother socks for his birthday (a size large, so he
will have room to grow), and is given to crisp pronouncements like, "I've no
time for fun and games" and "I don't know why you fill his head with silly
stories."
Just before Jane and Daniel are going to be sent away to the countryside,
where it is safer, Jane is kidnapped by Captain Hook. He thinks that if he
captures Wendy, Peter Pan will come to save her. Because he lives in Never
Land, he does not realize that Wendy has grown up. But then, neither does
Peter, who does come to rescue her, and is just as happy when it turns out
to be Jane. But she does not want to stay with the Lost Boys, even when
they make her a Lost Girl. Before Jane can go home, though, she will have
to learn to believe in "faith, trust, and pixie dust."
For a story about the power of imagination, the movie is especially
lackluster. The original story's crocodile has been replaced by an octopus
for no particular reason, and the action sequences are replays of the first
version. The sexism and racism of the original are excised - Jane rescues
Peter in this one. But that is not enough to make up for a script that even
at under 90 minutes, is just too long. Of all the changes, though, I think
the one that would most upset James M. Barrie, the very British man who
created Peter Pan, is probably hearing Peter speak with an American accent
and even use baseball slang.
Some of Disney's recent follow-ups have been quite good, especially the
sequels to "The Little Mermaid" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," with
theater-quality voice talent and animation and some bright new songs. It is
hard to figure out the reasoning that had both of those movies go straight
to video and give thiis one a theatrical release.
Parents should know that while the movie is rated G, there is some peril,
much comic but some a little scary. Children may want to know more about
the Blitz (the movie never tells us who it is that is dropping bombs on
London, we briefly see children being sent away from their families by
train, and we can't tell from the end if the war is over or not).
Families who see this movie should talk about "faith, trust, and pixie
dust," and how even children have to be brave and helpful during difficult
times. Some children may make a connection between the Blitz and the
terrorist attacks.
Families who enjoy this movie should watch the original, one of Disney's
best. They will also enjoy another Disney classic, like "Peter Pan" written
in Victorian times and filmed in the 1950's, "Alice in Wonderland."
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