Review: Pan BD + Screen Caps

THE MOVIE – 2.5/5

Pan is a re-imaging/retelling of the classic tale based on the novel by J.M. Barrie and as zany and at times insane as it is it’s also strangely unremarkable, even forgettable. The film does feature some colorful characters, though, and at least the cast appeared to be having a good time with the material.

The story opens in war-torn London where a young boy, Peter (LEVI MILLER), is living a nightmare at an orphanage run by a cruel nun. He and his best friend Nibs (LEWIS MACDOUGALL) begin noticing boys are disappearing and discover where they are going: at night creepy clowns and acrobatic-like characters bungee-jump from the roof, grabbing the children on the way up including Peter. These kids are being held on a flying pirate ship. We get an aerial view of the city as the bombs drop. The ship zig-zags out of harm’s way and floats into a different dimension. There, we discover it is Neverland run by tyrant pirate Blackbeard (HUGH JACKMAN) who has enslaved the children, and others, into mining for rare fairy dust. While mining, Peter meets and befriends a rough-around-the-edges James Hook (GARRETT HEDLUND).

Peter quickly discovers a nice sized amount of the gem which other miners take credit for. Peter is taken into custody for lying and those who don’t play by the rules are punished by a sentence of death off the plank of a ship. As Peter takes a leap off, he discovers something new: he can fly! Its apparent Peter is no ordinary boy but could be the fulfillment of a prophecy that the boy who can fly will one day kill Blackbeard. With the help of Hook and a man named Smiegel (ADEEL AKHTAR), the three escape the camp intent on leaving Neverland though Peter has other plans as he believes his mother, who abandoned him at that orphanage, may reside somewhere outside the walls controlled by Blackbeard.

On the pirate shipped the trio had hijacked eventually crashes into the forest where they are captured by the natives led by one Chief Great Little Panther and his daughter, Tiger Lily (ROONEY MARA), whom Hook takes a shining toward. Peter is believed to be their savior though he first must prove he can fly and only has, for some arbitrary reason, three days to do so or else he, and his comrades, will die.

Now it’s up to Peter to find his inner strength and belief to save his new friends and defeat the evil Blackbeard from continue his power grab, and enslaving the innocents.

You know, for a movie about Peter Pan, Pan is a rather bleak and lifeless film. Not only does it lack the fun factory, it’s a bit of a chore to sit through in spite of a relatively respectable running time. The performances aren’t too bad with Levi Miller doing a fine job as Peter and Garrett Hedlund, after getting used to his choice accent, was one of the more entertaining aspects while Hugh Jackman might’ve been having a good time but his Blackbeard was bizarre to say the least. Rooney Mara for her part wasn’t bad yet like the others, doesn’t get to really show off her talents.

Pan was directed by Joe Wright who has been a solid director having helmed one of 30 adaptations of Pride & Prejudice, Atonement (one of my personal favorites), odd-ball flick Hanna and the well received Anna Karenina. I don’t know if this was just an issue with the script, by Jason Fuchs (who wrote the upcoming Wonder Woman feature film), which had much to be desired or just all the elements coming together that might’ve been well intentioned but instead we get a mish-mash of quality not really sure what it wanted to be.

In the end, although I can’t call Pan a bad film per se, the source material should’ve at least made a fun film and instead it’s needlessly dark at times, even entering Neverland where it wasn’t just dark, but utterly void of fun and even whimsy.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.0/5

This release comes with a nice slip cover with a lenticular front cover and inside includes a Digital HD redemption code.

Audio Commentary – Director Joe Wright sits down for a polite but still informative track breaking down the story, casting and how certain scenes were shot. It’s not bad but I actually would’ve preferred someone else in the room to keep up the energy.

Never Grow Up: The Legend of Pan (10:50; HD) delves into the background of this classic tale and adapting it with this re-imagination.

The Boy Who Would Be Pan (6:07; HD) – The character of Peter Pan is profiled and the casting of Levi Miller to play the iconic role.

The Scoundrels of Neverland (5:49; HD) – Blackbeard, and Hugh Jackman, is chronicled. It’s short and to the point but not very in-depth.

Wondrous Realms (5:01; HD) goes into the creation of Neverland and all that it entails. This seems like it was made for kids.

2D VIDEO – 4.75/5 | 3D VIDEO – 4.5/5

The 3D transfer also is more or less flawless. Because this is already a bright environment, it translates well for the format. There were no major instances of ghosting and scenes, such as action scenes, had smooth transitions from shot to shot while depth is at least halfway decent. This 3D transfer might not be top notch compared with some other 3D releases, but it is still well done.

AUDIO – 5.0/5

OVERALL – 3.0/5

Overall, Pan had some of the right ingredients between a good and capable director in Joe Wright and respectable cast including Levi Miller who could be an up-and-coming young actor but between some odd choices with the soundtrack, mainly a rendition of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, and an utterly joyless film which is surprising for a movie about Peter Pan, it makes for a soulless and forgettable flick that neither adults nor children will find enjoyable.

The Blu-ray released by Warner offers some thin number of features but the video and audio transfers are both top notch.