The fifth major movie installment re-telling J.M. Barrie’s story of Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up, is now in theaters.
Over the years, technology and effects have advanced, but one thing has stayed the same. That being the story of Peter Pan being told through the art of film.
Most of us remember first meeting Peter Pan in Walt Disney’s animated classic, which came out in 1953. Forever etched in our brains is the red headed boy in green tights that crowed like a rooster and was sometimes quite obnoxious.
Peter's story was told again in 1991 in the live action film titled Hook featuring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. This film centers around the concept of Peter Pan actually growing up and shows the responisiblity that comes with having a family, as well as what a parent is willing to do for their child.
Filmmakers weren’t done there. In 2003, Universal Studios released the first live action film that told the story of Peter and Wendy which mirrored J.M. Barrie’s original play in many ways.
Just a year later, Finding Neverland came to theaters. This is a drama starring Johnny Depp who is depicting the real life of author of Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie.
Here we are up to the present. Coming soon to a theater near you, the film Pan brings us full circle. There is the original story, the story after the orginal story, and now the story before the original story. That's right! Pan is a pre-quel.
The film's twist is that Hook is not the villain, but Blackbeard, played by the Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman, will be the BIG BAD.
But is it necessary? Will this be it for Peter, or should we expect another take on this in the next ten years? I definitely think it comes down to that old saying, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” or in the film industry terms, as long as the numbers are up, keep making them. Has it come to the point where quantity has over ruled quality? Film series such as Fast and the Furious and the Pirates of the Caribbean, can also be put to this question.
No matter the motives, J.M. Barrie created Peter Pan so he could live forever. By films coming out so often, his wish is being fulfilled. Each generation will have their own version of Peter to ensure he is never forgotten. Each time a viewer feels nostalgic for the sparks of childhood, when someone wonders what it would be like to never grow up, when a child’s imagination fills with mermaids, Indians and magic, and when one looks to the sky and wishes they could fly, the real Peter Pan comes to life. He is that feeling of innocence and carefree weightlessness. Peter represents everyone's inner child.
