My Movie Review on Peter Pan (1953)
What’s up, my friends?
This is your old-time savvy reviewer here, reporting for duty today to review Disney’s “Peter Pan”. The animated film from 1953 to be precise.
In this film based on J.M. Barrie’s book and play of the same name, Wendy Darling (played by Kathryn Beaumont) is shocked to learn on the night her father (played by Hans Conried) and mother (played by Heather Angel) are heading out to a party, that her father wants to move her out of the nursery, where she sleeps with younger brothers John (played by Paul Collins) and Michael (played by Tommy Luske), and into a room of her own in order to “grow up”.
While her parents are away, though, Wendy and her brothers meet Peter Pan (played by Bobby Driscoll), the boy who is the subject of the childrens’ stories and games, and who accidentally lost his shadow at their house the night before. They also meet his fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell.
When told by Wendy of her predicament, Peter offers to take her to Neverland so that she wouldn’t have to grow up, her brothers being free to accompany them. Wendy, John, and Michael (as probably everyone would know) accept Peter’s offer.
Meanwhile, however, the dastardly Captain Hook (also played by Hans Conried) consistently plots to somehow find Peter’s hideout and destroy his arch enemy for cutting off his hand and constantly humiliating him, even with the help of his bumbling first mate, Mr. Smee (played by Bill Thompson)
Let me tell you all something:
I’ve been interested for some time in reviewing this film, but, it definitely wasn’t easy to do. Once I got the hang of it and got really into it, I found myself all into what to say about it in words.
On the subject of the story: Yes. I have read the original book by J.M. Barrie, and I enjoyed it too. To compare it and the movie, though, I thought that the film was extremely true to the original. I mean, yes, some elements were pretty different, like how Hook tried to kill Peter after kidnapping Wendy and the others. But, I also remember that the original book wasn’t as family-friendly or light as the film, and I thought that the differing in elements gave great appeal for all ages.
The comedic and lighter approach to the tone was really fun too. There were so many hilarious and amazing gags throughout the film that can make one go from giggling to laughing, particularly the ones used with the Lost Boys, as well as Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and the Tick-Tock Crocodile.
The morals that the film had were executed beautifully. One moral being that it’s okay to grow up and mature, but...you should never let the child within you disappear and keep yourself from having fun. All work and no play isn’t good for the soul, and I admired Wendy’s development with building herself on that. In addition, I loved the lesson it gave about how important having parents is and the importance of responsibility, the former especially coming from Wendy’s song “Your Mother and Mine”.
The characters were all pretty memorable and awesome. Like I already said, Wendy’s development throughout the film was excellent, and I admired how lovable and kind she was.
Peter Pan himself, of course, is a pretty reckless and mischievous boy, but that didn’t stop him from being fun to hang out with. The part where the bomb Hook planted exploded at the treehouse is what I consider to be the pinnacle moment for Peter, because after he miraculously survives, we get to see that despite his mischievous demeanor, he has a heart of gold and cares very deeply for his friends and the well-being of others.
In many ways, Captain Hook may not seem like the most threatening of Disney’s antagonists, but his development throughout the film, personality, cunning, and thirst for revenge on Peter do build him up into being one of Disney’s most excellent and three-dimensional villains. In addition, Hans Conried performed brilliantly as Hook, and he even did a terrific job performing as George Darling.
On the subject of the indians, I’ve definitely got something to ask concerning them:
How is the way they were depicted racist?
From the very time I read about the controversy involving them, I literally couldn’t see how that was so.
Even today, I find the indians to be some of the most enjoyable characters to be with, as well as one of the film’s best parts. If anything, the complaints on the indians from people of today who aim to make things “politically correct” are completely disregarding the fact that the film was from a time that was different from how things are today, and are disrespecting the film as a product of its time.
The rest of the characters were additionally great company to be with. Examples include how lovable and funny Mr. Smee was, with Bill Thompson bringing wonderful life to the character; and how unexpectedly memorable and hilarious the Tick-Tock Crocodile was.
Speaking on the songs, one of which I already mentioned, I’m proud to say that each of them are ones people aren’t gonna stop remembering anytime soon, because all of them are so wonderfully done. For instance, “The Elegant Captain Hook” and “What Made the Red Man Red?” are ones that I consider to have great bounce to their lyrics and beats, the latter song being one I cannot think of as anything outside of enjoyable. And like I said, I loved the message that “Your Mother and Mine” delivered through the song. Not only that, but I loved how heartwarming the song as a whole was.
Finally, it all comes down to the animation, which I can undeniably start by saying that it was a groundbreaking visual and technological achievement as a Disney film of its time. The backgrounds, for instance, were really lush and fit with the film beautifully. The characters were additionally well-drawn and I loved how their movements and expressions were coordinated. Directors Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske, along with their team of animators, really knew how to push the boundaries in the film.
In conclusion, “Peter Pan” is one of Disney’s most solid films, with its lovely music, characters, songs, etc., and it’s even one of the best films produced by Walt Disney himself, who apparently doesn’t cease his own creativity either.
So, I rate “Peter Pan” five out of five stars.
