Some Stories Are Better Left Untold..."Pan"

Pan (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Levi Miller, Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, Adeel Akhtar

Directed by Joe Wright

The Story:

A young orphan named Peter (Miller) is whisked away by a flying pirate ship during the height of World War II in Britain. He arrives in Neverland and meets the evil Blackbeard (Jackman) who is forcing all of these "lost boys" to mine for Pixium. He meets a fellow captive named Hook (Hedlund) and they escape Blackbeard's clutches and the adventure is on.

Who am I kidding?

I don't even want to write up a summary for this one.

It's a prequel to Peter Pan.

And it's boring.

End of review.

:)

Nah, I can't make it that easy, can I?

It has great production values, with both World War II era Britain looking great and the Neverland sets are beautiful.

But man, I was bored from almost the beginning. I think I even dozed off at least twice waiting for something to happen.

However, it's when all of the slaves under Blackbeard's thumb break into a rousing rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit that I lost all hope in this movie amounting to anything but a big budgeted spectacle.

Even Jackman can't save this one, though he gamely tries. Much like Chappie, it's too little, too late in a overlong story that could have used some judicious editing.

Seriously, who thought a 2 hour adventure on the boy who would be Pan would be a great idea?

I'm sure Disney will bring their live action tale to life in a few years, and maybe that will help remove this one from my memory.

We'll see.

Unimpressed, but I'll give them props for making something so boring look so nice.

Final Grade: D+

Proof I Saw One Good Film This Week... "Captain Phillips"

Captain Phillips (2013)
Rated PG-13 for language and violence

Starring Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, Barkhad Abdi
Directed by Paul Greengrass

The Story:

Captain Phillips (Hanks) kisses his wife (Keener) goodbye and heads out to captain his container ship through the dangerous waters off of Somalia in 2009.  When his vessel is boarded by pirate captain Muse (Abdi), Phillips winds up in a hostage situation and his only chance at survival is the intervention of the U.S. Navy.

This is a movie that sneaks up on you.

It is equal parts drama, and thriller.

The suspense ratchets up a notch at a time with each passing moment, until it all explodes at the end of the film in a climax that ends the situation in but a moment.

Hanks is great, as always, inhabiting the role of Captain Phillips.  His performance is subtle and you can't help but feel for his character as he does everything he can to keep his ship safe...then his crew...then himself.

When the final act unfolds, I found myself a little misty eyed at the conclusion of the rescue effort.

That's how masterfully Greengrass was able to pull off a rather straightforward action yarn so that you feel nearly as exhausted as Phillips by the end of his ordeal.

Well done.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: While not a film I'd likely buy, I would watch it again in the future.