HCA Gradebook: “Peter Pan & Wendy”

Movie: Peter Pan & Wendy
Plot: Peter Pan & Wendy introduces Wendy Darling, a young girl afraid to leave her childhood home behind, who meets Peter Pan, a boy who refuses to grow up. Alongside her brothers and a tiny fairy, Tinker Bell, she travels with Peter to the magical world of Never Land. There, she encounters an evil pirate captain, Captain Hook, and embarks on a thrilling and dangerous adventure that will change her life forever.
Cast: Jude Law, Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Yara Shahidi, Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk, and Jim Gaffigan.
Director: David Lowery
Release Date: April 28, 2023
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Number of Graders: 17
Overall Grade: B

Ashley Saunders says, “Peter Pan and Wendy is an exciting return to a story that has resonated with audiences for over 100 years. Director and co-writer David Lowery has reimagined this classic, giving it new life and emotional depth while remaining true to the magic of the original. Neverland is once again a place of wonder and adventure that will pull at the hearts of adults and children alike. As far as live-action remakes go, this one is one of Disney’s best and sets the bar high for any that follow.”
Grade: A

Nikki Fowler says, “Peter Pan & Wendy was visually stunning and the inclusivity is a breath of fresh air. This is a movie that will bring together families with a delightful reimagining and score. Yara Shahidi is magical as Tinker Bell. Alexander Molony as Peter Pan and Ever Gabo Anderson as Wendy were delightful to watch. The production and set details were fantastic. Loved the depth to Jude’s Captain Hook but would have loved him with a tad more menace as past interpretations, but was still very enjoyable.”
Grade: A-

Maggie Lovitt says, “With Peter Pan & Wendy, Lowery presents a much more heartfelt approach to the antagonistic relationship between Peter and the sinister Captain Hook (Jude Law). This revised dynamic is further underscored by the way Law chooses to play the infamous hook-handed pirate. He may still be hell-bent on ridding Neverland of children, by whatever means necessary, but he is also world-weary and the chip on his shoulder extends far beyond the mishap that cost him his hand. While the script undoubtedly delivers this nuance, especially as the story plays out across the final act, it is Law’s performance that elevates it. From his first appearance to his last, it is quite clear that Law is having a blast with the role, and his magnetic chemistry with the camera makes the film exceedingly rewatchable.”
Grade: B+

Zachary Pope says, “Peter Pan and Wendy is GREAT! David Lowery showcases the best of his ability while crafting a throwback to early 2000’s Fairytale movies mixing depth but also never forgetting the essence of what made the animated feature so magical! Count me as a fan!”
Grade: B+

Michael Lee says, “Peter Pan & Wendy is David Lowery reimagining a timeless classic with fun and emotional nuance. Though it hits familiar story beats, it’s a whimsical bedtime story come to life that expands upon Peter and Hook’s dynamics and a reminder that our greatest adventure awaits us.”
Grade: B+

James White says, “Peter Pan & Wendy might be Disney’s latest animated-to-live-action conversion job of a classic tale, but Pete’s Dragon director David Lowery has once again brought his particular magic to the movie. It’s far much accomplished and entertaining than Pinocchio and manages to add depth and layers to the story while putting Wendy (an assured Ever Anderson) firmly at the core of the narrative. Jude Law is a workmanlike Hook, but he’s also granted more to work with in terms of backstory.”
Grade: B+

Clarence Moye says, “A visually stunning and lyrical adaptation of the classic JM Barre tale. Both faithful to the original Disney film and infused with a sense of newness, Peter Pan and Wendy is as good as it possibly could be thanks to direct David Lowery. It’s also slightly dull in spots and feels a little long. Still, it’s worth seeing for the gorgeous visuals and the pervasive sense of melancholy. As a poet once said, “I never grew up, it’s getting so old.”
Grade: B

Don Shanahan says, “Bless his heart, David Lowery has not forgotten the sensation and formative power found in the analog brands of fantasy. Constructed with earthy textures, Peter Pan & Wendy is a glorious realization and extension of make-believe play that welcomes an old-fashioned conscience. Lowery, in his second foray with Disney after his phenomenal Pete Dragon from 2015, brandishes his own creative streak with a divergent freedom and zero shame for doing so.”
Grade: B

Kevin Taft says, “This is really a Peter Pan story for grown-ups. Kids will marvel at the crocodile (who sadly only has one scene), the kids flying through London and Neverland, and Peter and Hook’s sword fights. But the moments in between make the story lag. Everyone seems a bit depressed, and it’s not as fun and fanciful to see them talk their problems out. I appreciate the depth Lowery and Halbrooks bring to Barrie’s classic story, but those expecting a kid’s movie might find their kids waffling between fascination and boredom.”
Grade: B

Nate Adams says, “Underneath the hood, there are elements in Peter Pan & Wendy that hold it back: uneven pacing and cherry picking several subplots from the novels that never earn their place on screen, but it’s insistence on human connection and the magical bond children share among themselves more than make up for those shortcoming. So, yes, there’s another Peter Pan movie and though you’ve probably already written it off, this is actually one worth seeing. All it needed was some pixie dust.”
Grade: B

Tom O’Brien says, “Believe it or not, Peter Pan & Wendy is the ninth live-action film (not counting three animated features) derived from the classic J.M. Barrie story. If you’re probably asking ‘Do we really need another Peter Pan?,’ the answer, of course, is no. But what makes it worth retelling here is twofold: the story is told from the point of view of Wendy (a very good Ever Anderson) that offers a refreshingly different perspective on the tale, and the screenplay by Toby Halbrooks and director David Lowery has added a backstory for Captain Hook (a terrific Jude Law) that makes sense and is actually quite moving. For a fine director like Lowery, this film is a passion project, and it shows.”
Grade: B

Nicholas Spake says, “Peter Pan & Wendy rounds out David Lowery’s secret Green Trilogy after Pete’s Dragon and The Green Knight. It feel like there’s a really good Peter Pan adaptation trying to get out here, but the film needed more room to breathe. Excluding credits, it’s only about 90 minutes with several scenes feeling rush and a few characters left underdeveloped. When it takes its time, though, the film provides some of the strongest characterization we’ve seen for Wendy, a compelling dynamic between Peter and Hook, and several moments that capture the bittersweet side of J. M. Barrie’s source material. Thankfully, it’s not just another shot-for-shot live-action Disney remake, although the 1953 film is sure to have a more lasting impact. Still, it’s much better than 2015’s Pan or the Christopher Walken musical.”
Grade: B-

Sean Chandler says, “Peter Pan & Wendy was enjoyable enough without doing much to make it memorable. The cast are all fine. The adventure is fun. But constantly seemed to be playing it safe. It didn’t take any risks that might elevate the film or put it in danger. So I had a good enough time with the film. I didn’t dislike it, but it didn’t leave a particularly big mark either.”
Grade: B-

Matt Neglia says, “I admire the exuberance & artistry David Lowery brought to his passion project, Peter Pan & Wendy, even if it feels uneven & familiar. The kids didn’t impress me but Jude Law’s Captain James Hook is a mixture of pathos & black-hearted gusto while Daniel Hart’s magical score soars.”
Grade: C+

Alexander Robinson says, “J. M. Barrie’s classic story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up has always been an important part of my life, even beyond the 1953 Disney animated film. As another film adaptation of this story, Peter Pan & Wendy unfortunately doesn’t have any of the wonder or sense of adventure that made the original play and previous film adaptations so timeless. As another addition to the ongoing (and tiring) trend of Disney live-action remakes, David Lowery’s direction is at least solid, and the movie features a lot of real sets and filming locations. It’s also refreshing to see that this doesn’t follow the exact same series of events as the original animated version. In the end, it’s pretty tough to recommend this film for anyone who doesn’t already have a fondness or familiarity with the source material.”
Grade: C+

Sara Clements says, “Peter Pan & Wendy twinkles like Tinker Bell in some respects. The cast is the film’s greatest strength, especially with newcomers who genuinely impress. Alyssa Wapanatâhk steals the show as Tiger Lily. No longer just a damsel in distress, and now allowed to speak in her Cree language, it’s a refreshing portrayal that was too many years in the making. The film really shines in how it sweeps across London, in a thrilling flight, and across the beautiful green landscape of Neverland. Director David Lowery knows how to capture the beauty of natural wonders and Peter’s world initially feels quite mystical. But what befalls Hook’s boring appearance to a lack of colour to boring action is another example of realism ruining creativity. It’s not the worst of the live-actions, but Disney is losing touch on its own magic.”
Grade: C

Jonathan Fujii says, “David Lowery is a good director and I appreciate what he tries to bring to the film. But I could not get on board with this at all. None of the characters compelled me, Jude Law as Hook tries his hardest but doesn’t amount to much. Visually distinct compared to other live action Disney movies but I still fail to get invested in them.”
Grade: D+