Peter Pan

Voices of: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Bill Thompson, Heather Angel, Paul Collins
Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Rating: G
Genre: Animation, Adventure
1953

Times Seen:
Tim: 3

Summary: The Darling children accompany Peter Pan to Neverland, where they clash with the evil Captain Hook.

Review:

Tim: I've never been a big fan of Peter Pan. That was true when I was young and watched this movie, and it's still in true in 2020, as I watched the film with my five year-old son and two year-old daughter. It's a perfectly decent movie, but it always surprises me when it's discussed as one of the Disney classics. I just don't see it. I'm not sure if I watched this movie with fresh eyes, or if I saw it again knowing I've ever loved the movie. I'll admit it's a decent film, but an overrated one.

I suppose it's the idea of flying out of your bedroom window and off to Neverland that appeals to so many people. I never fully got this. Maybe I asked more practical questions. How fun would an adventure be if you're in your pajamas? How do you get to Neverland? How do you get back? Do you actually trust Peter? Why? The whole thing doesn't have much appeal to me. Peter seems like a most unreliable guide. He's a man-child Momma's boy with an inflated ego and not enough compassion. Tinker Bell is a jealous pain, who acts meanly throughout much of the film. Captain Hook is actually one of the most interesting characters. I struggle to see why this story is worth our time and investment.

I asked my five year-old son about the movie a day or two after we watched it, and the big thing he remembered was Peter fighting Hook. That's probably the most memorable aspect for most kids. He surprised me by remembering "Tiger...what's her name?" Tiger Lily didn't seem all that memorable, but it was there. He did recall Wendy. I would say he liked the movie, but he wasn't blown away, especially compared to other films he's seen. His first comment is probably the one that sticks out the most- Peter and Captain Hook have some legitimately good fight scenes throughout this movie. That, paired with the crocodile with the alarm clock, makes for an entertaining set up. The Lost Boys and the pirates kind of blend into the background. They're there, but they don't make that much of a difference.

Another reason this movie is hard to watch in 2020 is the unfortunate cultural references, especially the way the movie treats Indigenous People. It's fascinating from a cultural lens to consider no one blinked an eye when the movie was released in the early 1950s, and I remember the movie being universally praised in the late 1980 and early 1990s when I watched it. So, it wasn't until more recently that the racial stereotypes and caricatures were finally viewed as troubling as they hard. I cringed a bit watching them with my kids, but they're still too young to fully understand.

I will say one of the big strengths of this movie is how the characters are portrayed. While there's been multiple different adaptations of these characters, the look of them here is still the most prevalent in my mind. Peter' green suit, Hook's garish red pirate outfit, it's all become part of the public consciousness.

I get that many people love Peter Pan. Personally, I think it's one of the more overrated Disney movies. It's fine, it has its moments, but it feels less effective as a movie. It's made a big cultural impact, so I will grant it that. However, there's better movies in Disney's catalogue.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Alice in Wonderland, One Hundred and One Dalmatians