For reasons that defy logic, movie studios continuously attempt to build around the foundation of film classics. Take The Wizard of Oz for example – which in the last 3 years alone has garnered a prequel (Oz the Great and Powerful) and a sequel (Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return). And as you might expect, neither of those productions was able to fully harness the admiration and energy established by the 1939 classic.
Sure, there’s plenty of other examples to use, as well – like virtually any sub-par Disney sequel that went straight to video, like Bambi II or The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. You might as well lump in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and Jack the Giant Slayer, too – both of which made desperate attempts to reinvigorate and re-launch …show more content…
And in doing so, Pan puts youngster Levi Miller at the forefront. Miler is an impressive acting selection – oozing charisma, a solid command for expressionism, and quickly establishes a convincing chemistry with each and every one of his cast-mates.
Unfortunately, it’s tough to buy into the notion that Peter Pan and Captain Hook – two inevitably bitter advisories – were, at one point, the best of friends. It’s even tougher to buy into the idea that Garret Hedlund’s version of Hook will one day become a devious pirate. Best known for his roles in Tron: Legacy and Unbroken, Hedlund shows few signs of sinister intent – acting more like a reluctant Han Solo-like character than an eventual nefarious antagonist.
Speaking of an antagonist – Hugh Jackman is in this film, too. Half the time you’d never know it, though, since his appearances are sporadic at best. Jackman’s rendition of Blackbeard is far from a multi-dimensional “big bad” – and spends the vast majority of his time basking in his own ego and rambunctiously pursuing fairy (or pixie) gems (which keep him looking youthful and well – alive). But, as far as Jackman’s performance goes – he would have been better off focusing his time on a more involved
Sure, there’s plenty of other examples to use, as well – like virtually any sub-par Disney sequel that went straight to video, like Bambi II or The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. You might as well lump in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and Jack the Giant Slayer, too – both of which made desperate attempts to reinvigorate and re-launch …show more content…
And in doing so, Pan puts youngster Levi Miller at the forefront. Miler is an impressive acting selection – oozing charisma, a solid command for expressionism, and quickly establishes a convincing chemistry with each and every one of his cast-mates.
Unfortunately, it’s tough to buy into the notion that Peter Pan and Captain Hook – two inevitably bitter advisories – were, at one point, the best of friends. It’s even tougher to buy into the idea that Garret Hedlund’s version of Hook will one day become a devious pirate. Best known for his roles in Tron: Legacy and Unbroken, Hedlund shows few signs of sinister intent – acting more like a reluctant Han Solo-like character than an eventual nefarious antagonist.
Speaking of an antagonist – Hugh Jackman is in this film, too. Half the time you’d never know it, though, since his appearances are sporadic at best. Jackman’s rendition of Blackbeard is far from a multi-dimensional “big bad” – and spends the vast majority of his time basking in his own ego and rambunctiously pursuing fairy (or pixie) gems (which keep him looking youthful and well – alive). But, as far as Jackman’s performance goes – he would have been better off focusing his time on a more involved