Peter Pan (2003) (PG, 2003)

common sense media says

Live-action version keeps its thrill and charm.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is OK for early tweens who aren't frightened by a brief but graphic image of Captain Hook's amputated arm as he puts on one of his hooks. The movie has a lot of fantasy violence, including swordfights, guns, and hitting below the belt. Pirates are killed. We see boys' bare behinds. There are a couple of sweet kisses and some subtle references to puberty. Characters drink and smoke and a pirate offers liquor and cigars to a child.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: A lot of fantasy violence, including swordfights, guns, and hitting below the belt. Pirates are killed. There is a brief graphic image of Captain Hook's amputated arm as he puts on one of his hooks.
Sex: We see boys' bare behinds. There are a couple of sweet kisses and some subtle references to puberty.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink and smoke and a pirate offers liquor and cigars to a child.

More on Peter Pan (2003)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about why someone might not want to grow up. What do grown-ups do to keep the best part of childhood inside themselves? Is that what Barrie was doing in writing this story?

What's the story?

What's the story?

This story begins with Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up, leaving Neverland on occasion so he can listen to the stories that Wendy tells her brothers, Michael and John. One night, Peter's shadow is caught in the window. When he comes back to get it, Wendy sews it on, and Peter invites them back to Neverland. There they meet up with the Lost Boys, and battle Captain Hook (Jason Isaacs). This film version focuses on the relationship between Peter and Wendy. In Neverland, Peter tells Wendy she will never have to grow up but then makes her into the mother of the Lost Boys. She assures him (and herself) that they are only playing, but she feels the pull of the adult world. She even tells Peter that Captain Hook is "a man of feeling" while he is just a boy. Feelings are taken very seriously in this film. Fairies like Tinkerbell can have only one feeling at a time. Peter cannot answer when Wendy asks him what his feelings are. And Hook has a deadly poison made up of "a mixture of malice, jealous, and disappointment."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Director/screenwriter P.J. Hogan's sumptuously beautiful re-telling of the classic story maintains its timeless charm. The production design is simply gorgeous, with exquisite period detail. Even state-of-the-art special effects like flying and computer graphics are consistently conceived and gratifyingly believable. The jarring notes are Peter's (unforgivably) American accent and some anachronistic-sounding music. Ludivine Sagnier does her best as Tinkerbell, but the fairy is probably best portrayed as a spot of light.

Some Pan lovers will object to some gentle tweaking of the story. But it's not so much to be politically correct or bring it up to date as it is to remove any distractions from what in today's view would be seen as sexism.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: P.J. Hogan
Cast: Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: December 25, 2003
DVD release: May 4, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: adventure action sequences and peril

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

Review It

 

Review Peter Pan (2003)





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

mres1022
parent of 8 and 11 year old
 
My family and I love this movie. The production is gorgeous and really captures the feel of the book. It looks like a Victorian pop-up book come to life. Since it is true to the source material it is a little darker, so you have to know your child. My 6-year old LOVES this movie and has been watching it for a few years. It is one of a handful of films she asks to watch over and over. I don't think it is overly sexualized - Wendy is on the verge of adolescence. Her unsure relationship with Peter represents that struggle between growing up and entering into romantic relationships and remaining a child who likes to play dress up. I thought the film beautifully captured this "transitional" time in a child's life. I can't recommend this film enough.

zackaback
teen, 17 years old
 

alfateen
teen, 16 years old
 
great family film!!
I realy like this film, it captures love and romance however i did highlight the S** symbol because my friend believed that at the end scene it said peter was "incomplete" and she misinturpreted it.

Fluffylanthe
teen, 15 years old
 
BEST MOVIE EVER!
This movie is a timeless classic. In 70 years, children will still be forcing their parents to sit down and watch it, and the parents will willingly comply. There's a little action and a little romance, with none of the cheesiness that is sometimes associated with the book and Disney movie (both also classics, but for a slightly younger age group) The book is the kind of book that you love when you are little, dislike as a teenager, and whose charm comes back as you grow up. This movie, however, keeps the original spirit of the book but adds a lot more depth and spirit to the characters, giving it teen appeal. The cinematography is gorgeous as well. I got this movie off of Netflix and promptly watched it three times in a row. It's amazing. Watch it.

LINDSEY76
parent of 4 year old
 
oiuygtyu89ij

grantlyp108
teen, 15 years old
 
An Awesome movie!
Peter Pan is a great movie for kids who love adventure and action! This movie has it all action, adventure, and even a twist of romance and suspense! But for some little kids this movie will be to violent and there will be to much sexual stuff for them as well, but your young and older tweens will love this movie!

purpleeclipse
kid, 12 years old
 
omg Peter Pan! I love him and this movie. I hate the ending though. "Oh the cleverness of me!"

sss
adult
 
better for older kids
lots of tension & kissing by pre-teens.

PeterPanlover1904
teen, 16 years old
 
The Best Movie
I am fifteen years old. I watched this movie for the first time when I was thirteen, I have now watched it litterally over 70 times. I have three dvd's of it. This movie is a classic, not to mention the brilliant dialogue and the clever humour and the deeper meaning of everthying. This movie is so clean, which is very rare nowadays; the main character, Peter, is an innocent boy of the age between, eleven and sixteen. (He says he is quite young) Rachel Hurd-Wood plays the brave, bold and adventurous, as well as sweet, sensitive and beautiful, Wendy Darling. She acts very well, especially for her first role. Peter is played by Jeremy Sumpter, who is a very pretty boy! But, just because he has some delicate features do not be fooled, he plays Peter superbly. The American accent might be frustrating for some, but I find it cute. Peter is incredibly brave, putting his life at risk for Wendy's sake, and being a great friend, father and leader to the Lost Boys. He is VERY sweet to Wendy, and she falls for him and wants to "thimble" him quite directly after they meet, (What girl wouldn't)? He says lovely things about girls, and BOWS to her when he first sees her, all of which is HIGHLY unusual for a boy at that age; however as we can see, Peter is SOME boy! He is marvelous with a sword (Jeremy Sumpter did 95% of his stunts) and very impressive at micking things (Hook's voice, and the cry of a wolf) I fell for this boy after watching it the second time. Tinker Bell is played by Ludivine Sagnier, she is a sparkling, stunning, and very jealous fairy. Who tries to kill Wendy, and when she nearly succeeds, Peter banishes her. (You are my friend no more!) Later on, Hook tricks her; pretending to be sympathetic. "Pan has taken in Wendy and banished you? The dog!" And she gives in to Hook and betrays Peter by going to "talk" with him. Towards the end, Tink shows unconditional love for Peter, by drinking poison in his stead. It is said that Peter does not have feelings by Hook, which makes Wendy cry then later, have second thoughts about staying in Neverland. But Peter shows that he cares in all he has done, taking Wendy to his home, dancing with her, and weeping when his beloved fairy dies. Both Captain James Hook and George Darling are played by Jason Isaacs who is absolutely, without question or doubt, terrific! He is calm, and timid, as Mr. Darling, and feirce and unforgiving as Captain Hook. He is amazing with a sword, and he fights with his LEFT hand! Captain Hook is rutheless, and ever since Peter cut of his hand in battle, he has never forgiven him, and he is determined to stay on the shores of Neverland until he finishes the boy! Peter vows that, "It's Hook or me this time" but in the end, he doesn't kill Hook himslef, he merely defeats him to a point where Hook falls into the open jaws of the crocodile, who has long waited for the yummy captain. People say that Peter hates adults, but no, the reason he fights Hook is because he is evil and he lives in adventure where good triumph over evil; this is why he enjoys Wendy's stories so much. The movie has a very bittersweet ending, that I used to HATE, for the two lovers part. The "thimble" they share is beautiful in it's pureness, it isn't all messy like they are mostly in movies it was sweet and straight forward with such sweet whispering words from Wendy, "This belongs to you, and always will." And it lasts for about ten wonderful seconds where everyone looks at it and is shocked. He then EXPLODES with joy and bursts into the air, a wonderful touch. :) Anyways, there can be so much more said about this film, and story, but I have already written so much. It is made up of wonderful characters including the charming Peter, who may seem sensitive, but is very brave, and very firm. He never gives in to growing up. For all children grow up, except one.

JamesRobertson
parent of and 7 , 11 , 14 , 17 year old
 

haveaheart221
teen, 13 years old
 
luv it!!!!!!

dancegirl3697
teen, 14 years old
 
AMAZING!
I loved this movie ever since I was really little. I think I was about 5. Its such a great movie with much imagination. Plus, the boy is kinda cute. Haha. But I have to admit, that I think its better than the cartoon :)

 
This is a beautifully made film that I saw for the first time a year ago, and loved so much I purchased a copy. The actors are all well suited for their roles and the sets and special effects are excellent. The story begins at the home of Wendy, Michael and John where her parents and aunt seem to notice that Wendy is growing up. And do they see a hint of a "kiss" at the side of her mouth? This "kiss" is spoken of in the original book "Peter Pan", an excellent book by the way. The "kiss" alluded to is treasured for a special time and a special someone, which plays out later at the end of the movie. I thought all of the actors were excellent, but especially loved Jeremy Sumpter in the Peter Pan role. He's quite charming with a frequent look of mischief, and he and Wendy are just at that age on the brink of growing up, though of course, Peter never will. This version of the story plays up the fact that Peter and Wendy at an age just beginning to find the opposite sex interesting instead of annoying. These feelings are sweetly and innocently played out and there are occasional hints of brimming romance between the two. Wendy longs to grow closer to Peter, but just as he starts to show interest he withdraws since, after all, they are just pretending to be grown up parents to the lost boys and he will never ever really be a man! Some items for parents to be aware of: Wendy's brothers are strung up by the feet in one scene which causes their nightshirts to fall, and they are horrified that their bare bottoms are exposed, but the viewer only gets a glimpse of this. There is a very brief scene where evil mermaids try to entice Wendy into the water. These are dark, evil looking mermaids and may be frightening to small children. Captain Hook succumbs to the crocodile at the end and is quickly swallowed whole. There are several fighting scenes with the pirates and one scene where they tie the brothers upon a rock where water is rising and they are left to drown, but are saved just in time. Overall, I give this movie very high marks for entertainment value. It's an old story that has had some new life brought to it, and is beautifully and artfully done.

Kassie243
kid, 12 years old
 
A Different Version
Well, I'll start off saying this movie was one of the BEST movies of the 21st century but there are a few noticeable flaws. For one, I must say that it is highly inappropriate how much 'romance' was going on between Peter and Wendy since they were only twelve. Another is the violence. Hook kills four pirates throughout the movie, his hook does make contact with Peter a few times, Wendy is kidnapped twice, made to walk the plank, is thrown about - as well as Peter - a little bit too much, but at the same time, fights the pirates too. Also, there are dark and mysterious scenes that are NOT - on any level - little kid appropriate. The mermaid scene was frightening and intense. Something that should not have been put in the movie. But, over all that, the movie was unpredictable, funny, heart wrenching, and an endless classic that sinks it's way into the hearts of many. Peter Pan is one movie my family will not forget!

MerlinFan
teen, 14 years old
 
Entertaining following of J. M. Barrie's Classic
This movie was cute. I don't think it compares to the cartoon, but it's still a lovely movie with much fantasy and joy. Most importantly, it's clean and entertaining. I love that it really follows the original book by J.M Barrie.

lozzie98
kid, 13 years old
 
My favorite movie. So sweet, I love Peter pan

SafetyFan453
teen, 13 years old
 
Some scary stuff but still good for kids
I saw this movie when I was younger and I got a little bit scared by the mermaids.I really didn't expect them, to look so evil and dark.

A.M.
teen, 15 years old
 
EXCELLENT!!!
I think the romance between Peter and Wendy is what made the film. The story and plot was more true to the book than the pathetic Disney one. The special effects were okay-ish but still acceptable. The action and peril was slightly intense, but it keeps you entertained. The movie is $5.00 at Target. Buy it, don't rent it. One thing I've noticed in both the live action and Disney version: Didn't Peter run away from home in England, but when he returned the window is shut? In both movies, the actor/voice actor is American. Shouldn't it be more authentic by being British accented? Just an observation. Jeremy Sumpter was amazing as Peter.

 
i loved it :P
I really loved this movie! forever my mom has been trying to get me to watch this movie and i've always said no but after reading the peter and the star catchers books i am now rlly into peter pan! just normal actiony vilonce but if your like me and gets freaked out by the crocodile he pops in a cuple times at lest he warns you with the tick tock :)

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see Peter Pan (2003)?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age