 |
|
|
|
Return to Never Land |
 |
In the midst of World War II, London is in
ruins. A grown-up Wendy has two children:
12-year-old Jane and young Danny. When her
husband is called to fight, he tells Jane to take
care of her mom and little brother. Taking on
the responsibility to help her family, Jane
casts off childish things—especially the silly
stories her mom tells about Peter Pan.
But when Jane is mistakenly kidnapped
by Captain Hook (the pirate meant to nab
Wendy) and taken to Never Land, she must
quickly learn to be a kid again. If Jane doesn’t
start believing in "faith, trust and pixie dust,"
she’ll never be able to return home, Tinker
Bell will die and Captain Hook will kill Peter
Pan and the Lost Boys.
•
positive elements: When Jane’s
father asks her to watch over the family, she
takes his request very seriously. The only
thing she can think about when she’s taken to
Never Land is getting back to London and
taking care of her little brother. Likewise, the
Lost Boys and Peter Pan are very committed
to watching out for each other and helping
Tinker Bell. Even better, Jane doesn’t turn
against Peter Pan even though Captain Hook
promises to take her home if she does. Jane
apologizes to her mom in the end, saying: "I
should’ve listened to you in the first
place."
•
spiritual content: Wendy says, "We’ll
win with faith, trust and pixie dust." Tinker Bell
nearly dies because Jane says she doesn’t
believe in fairies.
•
sexual content: None.
•
violent content: Several sword fights
between Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Small
children may be scared when Hook and his
pirates (with swords drawn) kidnap Jane at
night. A giant octopus pulls off Hook’s pants,
revealing boxer shorts with hearts on them.
Hook and Jane battle it out at the end of the
movie.
•
crude or profane language: Jane
exclaims, "Oh my gosh" three times. Not
surprisingly, Captain Hook is called a "Cod
Fish" on numerous occasions. And there’s
various other childish name-calling.
•
drug and alcohol content: None.
•
other negative elements: A hippo
passes gas (shown by bubbles in the water)
and the Lost Boys hold their noses during
their song.
•
conclusion: Fervent fans of Disney’s
1953 classic will enjoy many elements of
Return to Never Land. The comical
Smee and bungling pirates are back and
good for a few laughs. And the giant octopus
claps together a couple of its suction cups to
make a "tick-tock" noise as it pursues Hook
(just like the crocodile did in the original).
Wendy and Peter also have a nice exchange
of words at the end of the movie. Slightly
jarring for classic film aficionados will be the
modern-sounding songs, the use of
computer-generated images and the new
voice talent. Not that 21st-century kids will care
one whit! Nor will their parents. All around me
in the theater, children were yelling at the
screen to root on familiar characters, while
softly sniffling moms wiped away a few tears
in their eyes. It’s obvious why Disney never
said never again to Never Land.
|
|
