Return to Never Land (G, 2002)

In this sequel to Disney's Peter Pan, Wendy has grown up, and is married with two children, Jane and Daniel. She loves to tell them stories about Peter Pan and Captain Hook. But World War II is underway, and London is blasted by bombs. Wendy's husband leaves for the war, telling Jane to take care of her mother and brother. Jane is strong and brave in the face of war and she doesn't allow herself to believe in Peter Pan or fairies. Just before Jane and Daniel are going to be sent away to the countryside, where it is safer, Jane is kidnapped by Captain Hook. He thinks that if he captures Wendy, Peter Pan will come to save her. Because he lives in Never Land, he does not realize that Wendy has grown up. But then, neither does Peter, who does come to rescue her, and is just as happy when it turns out to be Jane. But she does not want to stay with the Lost Boys, even when they make her a Lost Girl. Before Jane can go home, though, she will have to learn to believe in "faith, trust, and pixie dust."

This pleasant but forgettable sequel can't compare to the original, and while it manages a couple of magical moments (especially the opening credit sequence and Captain Hook's pirate ship flying through London), the music, performances, animation, and story are strictly at the straight-to-video level.

For a story about the power of imagination, RETURN TO NEVER LAND is especially lackluster. The original story's crocodile has been replaced by an octopus for no particular reason, and the action sequences are replays of the first version. The sexism and racism of the original are excised (Jane rescues Peter in this one). But that is not enough to make up for a script that even at under 90 minutes, is just too long.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Robin Budd
Cast: Corey Burton, Harriet Owen, Spencer Breslin
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 73 minutes
Theatrical release: February 15, 2002
DVD release: August 20, 2002
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: mild peril