[Movie Review] Pete’s Dragon (2016)
Director: David Lowery
Writers: David Lowery, Toby Halbrooks
Runtime: 102 min
Main Cast:
- Bryce Dallas Howard as Grace
- Robert Redford as Meacham
- Oakes Fegley as Pete
- Oona Laurence as Natalie
- Karl Urban as Gavin
Review: by Faith & Marie
Pete’s Dragon definitely was not a remake of the original 1977 Disney film. That film was a musical, with an animated dragon and a different story. The characters of Pete (Oakes Fegley) and his dragon Elliot remain though and we were super excited to see it especially since It is a favorite childhood movie of ours.
Instead of a whimsical Disney musical, David Lowery and co-screenwriter Toby Halbrooks decided to take a different path in telling their story about orphaned Pete and the dragon, Elliott of the forest who rescues and takes care of him. Pete’s Dragon is a boy meets mythical creature, bonds with him, and rallies against forces that try to take him away. But while the story template has been done before, David Lowery takes the more difficult road.
While the film is set in the 1980s (without giving us a direct year), Pete’s Dragon is timeless, not giving us any triggers to reminisce over. This movie is also refreshingly free of irony. There are no kids who seem to be more intelligent than their elders, no harsh language dropped in for effect and for an unnecessary edge. There was absolutely not a single cuss word in the entire movie. Pete’s Dragon is very earnest and true. Pete’s Dragon is loyal to its positivity and finds its power in the simple beauties of its optimism, even when the film goes into darker places. Pete is on a trip with his parents when they suddenly dodge an animal in the road and wreck their vehicle. This was one difference from the original movie. With Pete’s parents gone, Pete must fend for himself in the deep forest when he discovers what appears to be a dragon in the woods; naming him Elliot after a children’s book that he carries around.
What We Liked:
This movie was a wonderfully done remake of a great classic. We loved the respect and love that Pete and Elliott had for one another. After living together for 6 years, they were not only friends but they were also family which was beautifully shown within the entirety of this film.
What We Didn’t Like:
We honestly cannot say that there was anything to dislike about this movie. You will most certainly have to see it to determine that for yourself. Everyone is different and in our eyes this movie was brilliantly done and has an absolutely phenomenal cast.
Summary
Pete’s Dragon is for everyone – young and old, children at heart, who ever looked up to the skies and imagined dragons flying the sky and taking us on adventures of glorious flight. The film is sentimental, but in that good way where you don’t quite see the strings where Pete’s Dragon is not real. David Lowery is a major new voice in cinema – with a few more films in his roster he could easily become one of the great visual directors, who can also deliver genuine power and emotion with the spectacle. He has a nice affinity with actors, getting great performances from everyone, even the children. He can work with special effects as varied as a massive fiery breath to the twinkle in a mischievous dragon’s eye. Pete’s Dragon is joyous and full of wonder, and we most certainly cannot wait to see it again.
Images Courtesy of IMDB
