Disney Animation vs Audible Original Peter Pan
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. It can change the time and space of a room or environment. Similar to memories, nostalgia has the same problem in its inability to create an accurate account of the world, after a certain amount of time. The Audible Original version of Peter Pan has more to do with the theatrical production than the Disney animated film. Considering the stereotypes and racism against Native Americans in that movie, it made sense Audible Studios went with a more gender-based rivalry between Peter Pan and the lost boys and Tiger Lily and the lost girls.
Bromance or Homosexuality of Peter Pan’s Nemesis and First Mate
To say Captain Hook and Smee are in love with each other might be true in this version, but the performances of Rupert Everett and Adeel Atkhar as Hook and Smee respectively make this overabundance of affection toward each other odd. Especially considering how Hook treats other pirates in his crew. It’s a night and day difference and results in his character being a bit mental.
Despite this heavy insinuation on the two main pirates’ sexual orientation, the scenes with them are a delight. Unfortunately, while the Native American racism is gone, it’s unclear how serious the crew is about sexuality or if they’re holding too close to stereotypes.
Deus Ex Play
Near the end of this dramatization, when Tinker Bell drinks the poison from Hook meant for Peter Pan, the fourth wall breaks with a line of dialogue that boils down to belief in the extraordinary. It’s played seriously and not for laughs. However, up until this point, there was no hint of a theatrical audience that it came out of nowhere. It’s clear they took inspiration and straight-up plot points from the various plays of Peter Pan. Both have this moment and it works here. It’s just not as effective.
There’s one scene that is very well done and it has to do with Wendy’s epiphany on what it means to be a kid and an adult. The moment is real and beautifully acted. The WWII setting of London during the Blitz for the pre-neverland portions also grounded the story akin to C.S Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series.
4.5/5 Stars
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