Common Sense Note
Parents should know the pirates and some situations may frighten sensitive viewers. Two children are abducted by a villainous storybook pirate and threatened with death. The pirate Hook kills, displays comic suicidal tendencies; tries to seduce children into hating their father.
Families that watch this video may want to talk about the popularity of Peter Pan. Why is it a classic story? Families may want to use this as an opportunity to introduce the book.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Scott G. Mignola
Steven Spielberg's 1991 venture into the storybook world of Peter Pan turns an exceptional idea -- about a grown-up Peter Pan's return to Neverland --into an overlong hodgepodge with plenty of sparkly magic for young kids, but too much syrup for older tastes. Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman star, with Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. A better choice for families is Treasure Island
What if Peter Pan had to grow up? For those familiar with J.M. Barrie's wonderful literary creation, it's an intriguing question, and a great movie premise. Unfortunately, Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams made this movie for their children, seemingly without regard for anyone else's kids, who may not like such a sweet center or such dark edges to their movie entertainment.
The result is an comedy not only spare on laughs, but drenched in Hollywood cheese. Neverland fails to look like anything more than what it is: an expensive studio set inhabited by some of the worst-looking pirates ever in movies, including an uncredited Glenn Close sporting a beard. Explain yourself, Mr. Spielberg!
Young children may enjoy the racially diverse Lost Boys who rally against those pirates; teens and adults are more likely to find their antics insufferable. As for the stars, Julia Roberts has the appropriately pixie look for Tinkerbell, but Robin Williams as the adult Pan looks far from willowy in his green tights and leafy tunic. The real standout here is Dustin Hoffman, who's a surprisingly good Hook but is given woefully little to do other than snarl and rant.
If the character transformation at the end seems familiar, you've probably seen it done far more effectively in A Christmas Carol. While young ones may be happier with Disney's animated Peter Pan, older kids wanting more convincing pirates are advised to abandon ship and make haste toward Treasure Island.
Related Videos: Peter Pan, Treasure Island, A Christmas Carol, Shipwrecked, Swiss Family Robinson and The Princess Bride.
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ViolenceSome sword fighting. Hook runs his blade through a valiant young boy, killing him. |
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LanguageA few isolated instances of mild language. |
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Social BehaviorA father yells at his children, breaks promises, puts work before family. The Lost Boys are a racially diverse lot. |
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