Jake Freeman

PAN

Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard and Levi Miller as Peter Pan in Pan

Peter Pan first flew into our imaginations in 1902 in The Little White Bird by J. M. Barrie. Since then, the story has been reproduced countless times in books, stage plays, radio dramas and cinema.

Peter Pan made its silver screen debut in the 1924 silent, black and white motion picture with actress Betty Bronson as the title character. Then there was the classic animated version by Disney in the early 1950s. Spielberg with his 1991 adaptation  gave us his take of a grown up Peter Pan lured back to Neverland by Captain Hook.

Joe Wright’s new take on the Pan tells the story of how a young Peter Pan first came to Neverland.   

In the film’s opening, a baby boy is abandoned outside a London orphanage. Fast forward to World War 2 and London under is attack during the Blitz. The baby now a young boy named Peter, played by the talented young Australian actor, Levi Miller, longs lo leave the Oliver Twist like orphanage in search of his mother of origin and his own identity.

At midnight, Peter along with other boys at the orphanage are kidnapped by pirates and whisked away to Neverland where the notorious Captain Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) awaits. The boys are then forced to work in the mines.

The young Peter must team up with fellow digger James Hook (spoiler alert for sequel) played by Garrett Hedlund and Tiger Lily played by Rooney Mara to save the magical kingdom of Neverland from destruction from you know who…

Both Hugh Jackman and Levi Miller give a solid performance in their respective roles, particularly Miller in his first major starring role.

Like Disney’s Treasure Planet film, PAN is entertaining and there are many good comic moments, however it comes across as too gimmicky, relying heavily on over the over the top special effects to tell its story.

PAN is now screening in cinemas.

Published by Jake Freeman

Jake Freeman is a junior administration assistant, editor, camera operator and filmmaker. Jake has previously completed his studies in Film and Television at the Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe (NMIT) and in Business Administration at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). During his business studies Jake co-managed and hosted a major fundraising event as part of his course assessment that raised over $1000 with guest speakers from the The Big Issue and The Oaktree Foundation in attendance. He has worked for Channel 31, SYN Media and RMITV in various roles such as camera operator, editor and director. Jake has recently been writing and performing stand-up comedy in various Melbourne venues.