A real surprise!
Pete’s Dragon is the best film of the summer. I’ll go as far as saying that this is one of the best movies I have seen all year. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a family film based on a Disney film from the 1970’s that, to this day, I can’t stand. The original was a clumsy, sappy, albeit psychedelic mess that was never at all memorable. But this new film, directed by indie filmmaker David Lowery is magic. A pure fantasy film that will stir emotions in even the hardest of hearts.
The film starts off in a really dark place, even by Disney standards. This is the sort of beginning that might shake up the very young so parents be warned. There is a horrible accident that leaves two parents dead and a boy named Pete orphaned in the woods of the pacific northwest. All alone in a dark and scary forest, he comes across a massive, furry dragon he names Elliot. They become fast friends and they spend the better part of six years together, living in the forest, undetected, jungle book style.
The boy is discovered by a spunky girl named Natalie and is soon brought back town with her, her mother (Bryce Dallas Howard) and grandfather (Robert Redford), who as a boy, caught a glimpse of a dragon in the forest but was always scrutinized by his daughter as lies. Back in the forest, Elliot, upset his friend is gone goes searching for him, creating panic among the men who work for the forestry service, including the gruff, obviously villainous Gavin (Karl Urban), who wants to kill beast.
Obviously Elliot isn’t a danger to anyone; he’s just a big, kind of cuddly looking dragon. I think many people, adult and child, will become attached to this creature because the filmmakers make him extremely pet friendly. He’s like a giant dog. Actually, he reminded me of my own dog, which gave me a kick to the heart, stirring up old emotions. Whoever taught of this design was smart not to copy the standard looking dragon. They give us an original creation that has a soul. And it’s because of that soul, the film is miles ahead of anything out there right now.
I know that Disney is mining their resources but they have really improved this title. This is the one that will be remembered. Now, is it original? What you call original, I could call it E.T with a dragon instead of an alien but it’s made with skill, on a technical level, it is a marvel and it’s acted with real pathos. Have we seen it before? Yes. But when it’s done this well, we’ll forgive them.
Bring tissues because you’ll need them. I know I did.
