Film review: Pan 3D (PG)

I imagine that most of you reading are aware of Peter Pan’s story in some shape or form.

Characters such as Captain Hook, Tinker Bell, Smee and Pan himself can all consider themselves household names, as is the fictional Neverland setting.

There have been countless stories, films and shows using the source material over the years, with 1991’s Hook perhaps the most fondly remembered. It’s perhaps that near 25-year wait for a critically acclaimed Peter Pan offering that drove director Joe Wright (Atonement) to attempt this origin story.

We find 12-year-old Peter (Levi Miller), seemingly abandoned by his mother at birth, living in the Lambeth Home for Boys during World War 2. Cruel nun Mother Barnabas (Kathy Burke) is not only starving the orphaned lads on miserly rations, but also selling them off to the Neverland pirates.

The pirates, in turn, are buying the lads as slaves to dig up coveted crystals of fairy dust for their maverick chief Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman – X-Men).

Blackbeard soon discovers that young Peter (as well all know) is probably the child often spoken about in a prophecy that predicts his eventual downfall.

However, the catch is that the above-mentioned child is said to have the ability to fly (again, something we already knew). If he can learn to fly (at will), it is said that Peter has the ability to reunite Tiger Lily’s (Rooney Mara – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) people and the exiled fairies and save Neverland from Blackbeard’s reign of terror.

Away from Peter, we also find a much younger James Hook (Garrett Hedlund – Tron: Legacy) among the many enslaved by Blackbeard.

A far cry from the villainous character depicted in the original stories, Hook is more of a reluctant hero here – a cowboy, if you will.

He and Adeel Akhtar’s (The Dictator) Sam “Smee” Smiegel hold the key to get Peter away from Blackbeard’s clutches, but (of course) neither can be truly trusted.

I can see the logic in telling Pan’s origin story, especially as a generation of children haven’t had a “Hook” to see at the cinema.

Sadly, this version of the story doesn’t really deliver either. Yes, the world-building and musical score (barring the bizarre use of Nirvana at one stage) are both bang on the money – especially in 3D.

The visuals are impressive throughout and are sure to wow audiences, especially if you’re taking young children with you.

But the main problem with Pan is that the story isn’t all that clear or well explained.

It banks on you knowing all there is to know about Peter Pan – and if you’re not clued up, you could easily get lost.

I did, though, think Jackman was typically impressive as Blackbeard – a character obviously imported from another set of stories altogether. He looks almost unrecognisable, but adds star quality to an otherwise low-key cast.

Mara was solid enough as Tiger-Lily too, although I must admit she does seem a little out of place amongst her native people.

I wasn’t all that enamoured with Hedlund’s Hook, though.

He was more of a low-budget Han Solo than soon-to-be pirate and was perhaps a little miscast.

Equally, young Miller didn’t really dazzle as Peter – but I guess you could say the same about Daniel Radcliffe in his early days as Harry Potter.

There’s certainly scope for follow-ups in this Pan universe, with Hook and Peter’s story in its infancy.

But – unless you’re taking the kids – I’d recommend letting this one fly firmly over your head.

Voice Verdict: 6/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Great visuals and score
+ Jackman’s Blackbeard
– Hook and Peter
– Sloppy storytelling

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Oct 23 to Thurs, Oct 29)

**SPECTRE (12A)
10.45am (Tue/Thu), 12.10pm (Tue/Wed/Thu), 1.30pm (Tue/Wed/Thu), 3.30pm (Tue/Wed/Thu), 5pm (Tue/Wed/Thu), 7.30pm (Tue/Wed/Thu), 8.30pm (Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu), 8.45pm (Mon)

**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 6 3D (15)
6.35pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)

**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 6 2D (15)
2.25pm (daily), 4.30pm (daily)

CRIMSON PEAK (15)
8.40pm (not Thu)

PAN 2D (PG)
12.45pm (daily), 6pm (not Thu)

PAN 3D (PG)
10am (daily), 3.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon)

SUFFRAGETTE (12A)
3pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon), 6pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Thu), 6.25pm (Tue/Wed), 8.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun)

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 2D (U)
12.10pm (Sat), 2pm (daily), 4.20pm (daily), 6.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon)

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 3D (U)
10am (daily), 12.10pm (not Sat)

THE MARTIAN (12A)
10am (Tue/Thu), 11.30am (Fri) 2.45pm (Fri/Sat/Mon), 2.45pm (Fri/Sat/Mon), 5.35pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon), 8.25pm (daily)

LEGEND (18)
8.25pm (Fri/Sat/Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
Fri-Wed, 10.30am – Minions 2D (U); Thurs 10.30am – Inside Out 2D

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Suffragette (12A)

** FREE LIST SUSPENDED