Peter Pan & Wendy Review: Jude Law, Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson’s film brims with childhood innocence and maturity of growing up

By Vandana Srivastawa

on April 28, 2023 12:31:31 PM

Film: Peter Pan & Wendy

Cast: Jude Law, Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Yara Shahidi, Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk, Jim Gaffigan

Director: David Lowery

OTT: Disney+Hotstar

Rating: 3.5 Moons

Disney is ready to take you back to your childhood with its live-action retelling of Peter Pan & Wendy. The film is based on the best-selling cult novel by JM Barrie and Disney’s own animated feature Peter Pan, and revolves around the titular hero, Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and his adventures in the mythical island of Neverland. Peter is the leader of the Lost Boys, interacts with fairies, mermaids, Native Americans, has a tiff with pirates and occasionally brings children from the world outside Neverland.

Peter Pan & Wendy introduces Wendy Darling (played by Ever Anderson), a young girl afraid to leave her childhood home and take on the responsibilities of growing up. On her last night in her home before leaving for a boarding school, Wendy tells her mother that she does not want to grow up and wants to remain a child forever, playing with her brothers John (Joshua Pickering) and Michael (Jacobi Jupe). Her whimsical wish turns out to be the start of an adventure when Peter Pan (Alexander Molony) along with fairy Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi) comes to take Wendy and her brothers to Neverland.

Wendy is transported to Neverland, flying, and having the time of her life. However, things soon go awry when they face an evil adversary in the form of pirate captain, Captain Hook (Jude Law) and embark on a thrilling yet dangerous adventure that changes her life and her outlook forever.

The film’s script deviates a bit from the original novel and the previous Disney Peter Pan films but then it is all for the better. Wendy here does not want to be the ‘mother’ of the Lost Boys but inadvertently take on the role of a big protective sister. She also successfully unravels the complicated relationship between Captain Hook and Peter Pan and ‘hears’ Tinker Bell.

Peter Pan & Wendy does a commendable job of spinning a well-known story with fresh elements in it. The film has heart, understanding and pragmatism that make it a good watch. It also has great action sequences, crisp writing and dialogues mouthed by confident children.

Ever Anderson is a show stealer and brings the perfect balance of childhood innocence coupled with adolescent wisdom. Alexander Molony as Peter Pan lights up screen with his daredevilry, sword fighting and boyish charm. Alyssa Wapanatâhk as Tiger Lily is a formidable and sorted voice in the film unlike her portrayal in the novel. All three of them impress with their sword-fighting and action skills. Yara Shahidi without any dialogues makes her presence felt and is not the jealous fairy that we have generally seen in the previous retellings. Jude Law as Captain Hook is malicious and menacing but also presents a humane outlook to his portrayal. Jim Gaffigan as Mr.Smee brings the benevolence and gentleness to his character.

David Lowery’s direction and screenplay by him and Toby Halbrooks do take creative liberties which in today’s day and age makes the film a much better watch as it caters to present sensibilities. Lowery has also managed to bring a defining characteristic trait to all the children by giving them ample amounts of guts and gumption which make the film an entertaining watch.

Go take a flight into a whole new adventure and bring on the good old childhood days and nostalgia of battling pirates and never growing up in a magical land.