KJeff
Igniting the Imagination
Over the last 4 decades, the story of the boy who never grew up has reached children and adults alike around the globe. Whether it be in form of novel or play, or the eventual transition to what is considered the original film by Walt Disney in 1953, one cannot discuss at length their childhood or adolescence without mentioning at least the story of Peter Pan; no matter what form it may have taken and the effect it has had throughout their years. For some, the effect has been merely at face value, reading,re-enacting and/or watching the story for sheer entertainment purposes; whereas others find a more profound value inherent in the story and subsequently associate themselves with a higher and more complex level of understanding of the story and the tale that is told and referred to throughout many a remake. It is these remakes that keep the story of Peter Pan alive, for entertainment value or for that something else.
Four mainstream films based on J.M. Barrie's novel of "Peter Pan: The Boy Who Never Grew Up" spanning over 40 years have continued to play a constant role in the cinematic world and is one of the only tales to have been re-told so many times through a variety of interpretations. From Walt Disney's cartoon tale in 1953, to Steven Spielberg's story of "Hook" in 1991, to the non-cartoon revival of Peter Pan by P.J. Hogan in 2003, to Marc Forster's biographical tale in 2004's "Finding Neverland", the story of Peter Pan has been transported into the modern world of entertainment and made idealised for a wider range of audience consumption and enjoyment at any age thanks, in due part to these 4 films.
When Walt Disney's original film was released to available screens across the world in 1953, it encapsulated everything a children's tale should encompass both then and now. It not only ignited children's imaginations but also taught them a classic lesson in terms of the differentiation between the imagined and the reality. Whether young audiences immediately related with the latter notion or reflected on the concept later in life, the colourful cartoon in conjunction with its creation of Never Neverland, the soundtrack, the characterisations and the subsequent character relationships painted an iconic picture of what one's childhood should be a combination of as well as maintaining the entertainment aspects that have outlasted the decades.
It wasn't until 1991, just over 30 years later, that the notorious Steven Spielberg decided to utilize the tale by investigation the tale at the other end of the spectrum; the tale of the boy who allowed himself to grow up and subsequently suffer and in turn deal with the consequences. This film was popular for a variety of reasons. Not only did it star Robin Williams as Peter and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, two of the most reknowned and respected actors of the 1990's, but it also posed the question of "what if"; in terms of what could potentially happen if the boy who once professed never to grow up actually did and how it affected those who were most prominent in his life then and now. The realistic element of this film portrayed in the set design and characterisations proved more than successful and drew audiences in to share the once perhaps considered notion of "what if" that had existed since the cartoon release in 1953 and perhaps earlier after reading J.M. Barrie's novel. This interpretation aroused contemplation and admiration from critics and audiences around the world. It was emotive and consistently entertaining from scene to scene and continued to exhibit glimpses from the original cartoon film whilst producing what was then considered a modern "spin" on the tale. There was no one better than Robin Williams to have played the adult Peter Pan in this film, purely due to his phenomenal ability to inhabit his own interpretation of the character and as a result make the successful transition from paper to screen and continue to ignite audiences imaginations. Due to the nature of this remake, a much larger target audience ranging from childhood to adulthood was reached thus allowing the revival of the classic to continue.
2003 was a prominent year for yet another remake of Peter Pan. This time, it was the remake featuring humans as characters from the exact story as opposed to the cartoon representations seen since 1953. P.J. Hogan's "Peter Pan" was perhaps the most successful remake in contemporary times due its classification as somewhat of a "blockbuster" film featuring extreme cinematic special effects, a musical score by James Newton Howard, up and coming young actors such as Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan and actors such as Jason Isaacs who were already known by audiences and fellow actors alike. This film was indeed magical in its interpretation and despite the new and up coming actors featured in this film never being heard of in mainstream film again, the film gained a positive response by audiences because it had encompassed the same traits evident in the original cartoon version by Disney in 1953. The film was a lot more dramatic in comparison, and whilst some may consider particular characterisations as melodramatic, critique against the film was quashed by reviews that proclaimed the film to be indeed as good as the original, if not slightly better. It was becoming seemingly evident that as more and more remake's of the Peter Pan classic were gracing the cinema screens, the popularity of the tale escalated, so much so that in 2004, the biographical tale of J.M. Barrie and his story of Peter Pan by Marc Forster entitled "Finding Neverland" was nominated more than once at the Oscars.
Finding Neverland was indeed the most contrasting of all remakes and revivals of the Peter Pan classic. Not only did it provide audience members with the story behind the classic tale, its influences and the biography of J.M. Barrie himself, but it was much less understated in its production. This interpretation is perhaps the most beautiful because it did not need grandiose special effects exhibited in the previous remake from 2003. This remake of the tale possessed a well rounded view of how the tale came to life and the imaginary tale itself. In addition to its Oscar nomination, the cast played a key role in attracting audience members due to the realistic interpretation that was and is still associated with the film. Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet as well as new comer Freddy Highmore inhabited every inch of the screen and the tale. Their characterisations were intense, emotive and enriched the film much more so than any other remake due to them not having to rely on any other cinematic effects. What makes this film stand out from any other remake is its ability to evoke a multitude of emotions within the mere 2 hour length of the film. If you were to ever see just one film based on the Peter Pan classic, this would be it. Whilst the other remakes relish and perhaps hide behind the mask of special effects, it is "Finding Neverland" that displays a combination of all cinematic processes, soundscape and score, actors and their characterisations that compliment eachother to in turn prove worthy of the subtle acclaim is has attracted. And whilst it did not win at the Oscars, it was seemingly close.
Whether it is cartoon to the possibility of adulthood to blockbuster to oscar nominated and understated, a tale such as Peter Pan deserves all the positive acclaim one can muster. However, whether you love it, loathe it or are somewhat indifferent to it, the fact is within the last 50 years, you have heard of it and know of it; and for now that is something.
Fin.
Four mainstream films based on J.M. Barrie's novel of "Peter Pan: The Boy Who Never Grew Up" spanning over 40 years have continued to play a constant role in the cinematic world and is one of the only tales to have been re-told so many times through a variety of interpretations. From Walt Disney's cartoon tale in 1953, to Steven Spielberg's story of "Hook" in 1991, to the non-cartoon revival of Peter Pan by P.J. Hogan in 2003, to Marc Forster's biographical tale in 2004's "Finding Neverland", the story of Peter Pan has been transported into the modern world of entertainment and made idealised for a wider range of audience consumption and enjoyment at any age thanks, in due part to these 4 films.
When Walt Disney's original film was released to available screens across the world in 1953, it encapsulated everything a children's tale should encompass both then and now. It not only ignited children's imaginations but also taught them a classic lesson in terms of the differentiation between the imagined and the reality. Whether young audiences immediately related with the latter notion or reflected on the concept later in life, the colourful cartoon in conjunction with its creation of Never Neverland, the soundtrack, the characterisations and the subsequent character relationships painted an iconic picture of what one's childhood should be a combination of as well as maintaining the entertainment aspects that have outlasted the decades.
It wasn't until 1991, just over 30 years later, that the notorious Steven Spielberg decided to utilize the tale by investigation the tale at the other end of the spectrum; the tale of the boy who allowed himself to grow up and subsequently suffer and in turn deal with the consequences. This film was popular for a variety of reasons. Not only did it star Robin Williams as Peter and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, two of the most reknowned and respected actors of the 1990's, but it also posed the question of "what if"; in terms of what could potentially happen if the boy who once professed never to grow up actually did and how it affected those who were most prominent in his life then and now. The realistic element of this film portrayed in the set design and characterisations proved more than successful and drew audiences in to share the once perhaps considered notion of "what if" that had existed since the cartoon release in 1953 and perhaps earlier after reading J.M. Barrie's novel. This interpretation aroused contemplation and admiration from critics and audiences around the world. It was emotive and consistently entertaining from scene to scene and continued to exhibit glimpses from the original cartoon film whilst producing what was then considered a modern "spin" on the tale. There was no one better than Robin Williams to have played the adult Peter Pan in this film, purely due to his phenomenal ability to inhabit his own interpretation of the character and as a result make the successful transition from paper to screen and continue to ignite audiences imaginations. Due to the nature of this remake, a much larger target audience ranging from childhood to adulthood was reached thus allowing the revival of the classic to continue.
2003 was a prominent year for yet another remake of Peter Pan. This time, it was the remake featuring humans as characters from the exact story as opposed to the cartoon representations seen since 1953. P.J. Hogan's "Peter Pan" was perhaps the most successful remake in contemporary times due its classification as somewhat of a "blockbuster" film featuring extreme cinematic special effects, a musical score by James Newton Howard, up and coming young actors such as Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan and actors such as Jason Isaacs who were already known by audiences and fellow actors alike. This film was indeed magical in its interpretation and despite the new and up coming actors featured in this film never being heard of in mainstream film again, the film gained a positive response by audiences because it had encompassed the same traits evident in the original cartoon version by Disney in 1953. The film was a lot more dramatic in comparison, and whilst some may consider particular characterisations as melodramatic, critique against the film was quashed by reviews that proclaimed the film to be indeed as good as the original, if not slightly better. It was becoming seemingly evident that as more and more remake's of the Peter Pan classic were gracing the cinema screens, the popularity of the tale escalated, so much so that in 2004, the biographical tale of J.M. Barrie and his story of Peter Pan by Marc Forster entitled "Finding Neverland" was nominated more than once at the Oscars.
Finding Neverland was indeed the most contrasting of all remakes and revivals of the Peter Pan classic. Not only did it provide audience members with the story behind the classic tale, its influences and the biography of J.M. Barrie himself, but it was much less understated in its production. This interpretation is perhaps the most beautiful because it did not need grandiose special effects exhibited in the previous remake from 2003. This remake of the tale possessed a well rounded view of how the tale came to life and the imaginary tale itself. In addition to its Oscar nomination, the cast played a key role in attracting audience members due to the realistic interpretation that was and is still associated with the film. Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet as well as new comer Freddy Highmore inhabited every inch of the screen and the tale. Their characterisations were intense, emotive and enriched the film much more so than any other remake due to them not having to rely on any other cinematic effects. What makes this film stand out from any other remake is its ability to evoke a multitude of emotions within the mere 2 hour length of the film. If you were to ever see just one film based on the Peter Pan classic, this would be it. Whilst the other remakes relish and perhaps hide behind the mask of special effects, it is "Finding Neverland" that displays a combination of all cinematic processes, soundscape and score, actors and their characterisations that compliment eachother to in turn prove worthy of the subtle acclaim is has attracted. And whilst it did not win at the Oscars, it was seemingly close.
Whether it is cartoon to the possibility of adulthood to blockbuster to oscar nominated and understated, a tale such as Peter Pan deserves all the positive acclaim one can muster. However, whether you love it, loathe it or are somewhat indifferent to it, the fact is within the last 50 years, you have heard of it and know of it; and for now that is something.
Fin.
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
I watch the 3 latest ones at least once a year.
Watched the PJ Hogan one about 2wks ago and I get scared watching Finding Neverland because I know I will cry again. LOL