The new Pete’s Dragon, which is literally nothing like the 1977 half-animated version, takes the original story of a boy left alone in the woods and transposes it into the 21st century.
This sort of thing has been done with other Disney classics recently (I’m looking at you, The Jungle Book), but to lesser and darker effect. Where Jungle Book protagonist Mowgli spent the (new) film running from umpteen things trying to kill him, Pete (played excellently and convincingly by newcomer Oakes Fegley) is an innocent bystander in a brutal world. The story works in its simplicity.
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Left in the forest to fend for himself after his parents die in a car crash, Pete stumbles upon Elliott the dragon, who resides deep in the woods. The two become quick, fast friends and continue to live together for the next six years, until Pete is discovered by park Ranger Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard). Then come the traditional push-and-pull plotlines: should Pete stay in the forest, where he’s happiest? Or should he go live with a willing human family, forsaking Elliott? Should Elliott be subject to exploitation? Should he be scientifically studied? The big questions are all here, overlaying a sweet, emotional undercurrent that you will not be able to resist.
Is it cheesy? Is it scary?
As with any movie for kids — and yes, this is a movie for kids, first and foremost. Sorry, parents — there are several cheesy moments that adults cannot possibly connect with. But that doesn’t mean adults can’t appreciate things like Pete’s forest treehouse, which is the stuff of fantasy for kids. Who wouldn’t want to live in a giant tree and spend days lazing about with a fuzzy green dragon?
Elliott isn’t scary, even for a second, when it comes to Pete. Once Elliott extends his humongous paw out to pick up the abandoned Pete, we know that the dragon would never hurt the boy. Strangely, the scariest stuff happens at the beginning of the film, when Pete and his parents get into a car accident. Disney is fully aware of the gravity here, and to the studio’s credit, it whips through the scene as fast as possible. This isn’t Bambi, folks, thank goodness.
How are the special effects?
At a 3D viewing, the effects are just fine. The CGI work with Elliott is seamless, and it’s fully believable that Pete is riding on a dragon. Elliott has a cuteness I wasn’t expecting, and the animators make his eyes into very expressive, huge pools. He’s missing part of a lower fang, a little imperfection that endears him to us.
Bonus points again to Disney for not revealing too much of Elliott’s “look” in the trailers. The surprise when he emerges from the woods definitely adds to the movie’s appeal.
WATCH: Robert Redford talks magic of Pete’s Dragon
And the story?
Even though the story is wholly linear and predictable, there is something wholesome and appealing to it. Genuinely touching as it moves forward, there were sniffles and nose-blows from the audience, and you’ll find yourself really caring about Elliott’s fate, even though you know he’s just an animated character. That is a sign of good storytelling. When Pete says to Elliott, “But I don’t want to leave you,” you’ll understand what I mean.
What about the cast?
Fegley is perfect for the role of Pete; his eyes tell the story before any words can escape his mouth, which is great because his dialogue is minimal. Howard is another great casting choice — she is warm, kind-looking and totally fits the bill as a park ranger concerned for the well-being of all creatures, great and small. Robert Redford, starring as the family patriarch (and the slightly kooky guy who claims he saw a dragon in the woods back in the day), phones in his performance, but he doesn’t detract from the film. He may have even had a little fun.
So what’s the bottom line?
This surprisingly emotional film is another success under Disney’s belt for 2016. The only thing that could potentially tarnish the movie’s box-office performance is its 1977 predecessor; its legacy as a forgettable film could be detrimental. But again, the 2016 version is totally different, a touching family drama with a dragon along for the ride.
‘Pete’s Dragon’ opens in theatres on August 12.
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