Believe! “PAN”

Release Date: October 9, 2015

Running Time: 1 hour and 51 minutes

Directed by: Joe Wright

Screenplay by: Jason Fuchs

Rated PG ~ Grade A

Starring:

Levi Miller as Peter

Garrett Hedlund as Hook

Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily

Adeel Akhtar as Sam Smiegel

Kathy Burke as Mother Barnabas

Amanda Seyfried as Mary

Nonso Anozie as Bishop

and Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard

We have an ancient prophecy that tell of a boy. A boy who would be disappeared from his world until he was old enough to return and lead an uprising against me. A boy who could fly…

When Peter was an infant, his mother left him on the steps of an orphanage. Around his neck, she lovingly placed a necklace with a pan charm and she promised that he’d see her again in this world or another. When he was 12 years old, his life forever changed when he was whisked by off by pirates to a strange new world called Neverland. There he meets Blackbeard who is a fierce pirate captain. Blackbeard employs young boys to mine for fairy pixum. With the help of a tribal princess named Tiger Lily and a fellow miner named James Hook, Peter embarks upon a journey to fulfill his birthright. Peter must believe in himself in order to save the others from Blackbeard while he is on a mission to destroy the fairies and ravage the entire island of its magic.

Welcome to Neverland!

Every legend has a beginning and I absolutely love Warner Brothers and director Joe Wright’s new take on the origin story of the classic characters created by J.M. Barrie. Screenwriter Jason Fuchs created a script that revolved around several main characters, but to pull it off he needed just the right actor to play Peter. The casting department and Wright found their star in newcomer Levi Miller. I was blown away by Levi’s acting abilities.  Peter is mischievous, vulnerable, intelligent and determined. Miller has it all.  He is Peter Pan.  Wow! I just can’t say enough great things about Levi and can’t wait to see his next performance. He has that raw talent for connecting with the audience and the brilliant blue eyes to make him a heartthrob. I am certain Wright, known for bringing us gripping dramas like Atonement will be a major influence on Levi in the future. Hugh Jackman channels the sinister Blackbeard in a way that is at times comical and others cynical. Garrett Hedlund and Rooney Mara are excellent as Hook and Tiger Lily. Pan captures all the elements of a blockbuster. The cinematographers and special effects team bring us an extraordinary and breathtaking tale that is visually appealing with elements of danger and fun. Pan is a film made to be seen in 3D on the big screen. Experience Neverland and believe in the magic that lies inside all of us.  ~A.S. MacLeod

Joe Wright’s Pan is a colorful fantasy film intended for whole family. The story, written by Jason Fuchs, is a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s timeless tale. The film is enchanting from the very first second throughout the 111 minute running time. Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, and Rooney Mara all fully embrace their roles, but the real star is the young Levi Miller who (after seeing this performance) I am expecting more great movies from in the future. The elaborate sets and swashbuckling fun is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. This isn’t the story you’ve heard before. Because sometimes friends begin as enemies and enemies begin as friends. Sometimes to truly understand how things end, we must first know how they begin. I believe…I believe…I believe that you should believe in bedtime stories and fly into the theater to enjoy this one ~Movie Buffette