Peter Pan 2 : Retour au Pays imaginaire

After so many years it was not a surprise that the original charm and concept would not be captured the same way in its sequel. The animation was incredibly expressive and smooth, close to being top-notch in traditional animation at the time given it was animated by Walt Disney TV Animation.

The plot kept some beats that resonate with what Peter Pan and Neverland are all about: growing up. Themes like maturing, friendship, faith and imagination are explored again in this film only with new characters and a new backdrop (London Blitz period in WWII). But it's undeniable the frequent talking down to the more younger audiences instead of allowing them to learn the lessons by themselves.

Surprisingly, the plot had direction and a final goal with other subplots emerging from it that made sense most of the time. Nevertheless, these were not as engaging enough to keep the audience wondering if the protagonists were in danger at all.

IN CONCLUSION, the movie doesn't do many things wrong but rather stick to what it does well, it has varied and quirky characters, an endearing sequel effect with Wendy all grown up, fun and heartwarming messages for the younger audiences and original ideas like having a new enemy for Captain Hook or the background of the story with the father. But that's just it, the movie is just another adventure with similar beats from the first Peter Pan, it doesn't try to tell a new story just "reinvent the wheel". Also fans of the original work Disney's movie is based on might get angered by how little it reminisces the original spirit of the stories. Although by now it should be obvious that Disney's creations are but loosely-based adaptations of such tales so it shouldn't be judged harshly.

Others have bemoaned the lack of creativity or the re-hash of the original story. What did they expect, Peter Pan goes to law school? My 8 year old was bouncing with excitement by the end of the movie. I found the CG animation of the Pirate Ship over London to be in

the best of the Disney tradition. They leave you guessing up until the very end as to whether Peter Pan is real or if both Wendy and her daughter dreamed him. Look for one goof: The truck (2 1/2 ton Army truck) bears a United States white star when it picks up and drops off Dad, who is obviously a British soldier/airman. Though theoretically possible, it is highly unlikely that there was an

American Amry truck in London as the U.S. did not actively enter the war unitl January 1942 and the Blitz had been going on long before that. Forget the critics - go see it and take the kids.

All you need is faith, trust and pixie dust! This is a surprisingly pleasant sequel. The C.G. Tinkerbelle is not as ...delicate as I remember from the first, but she is still made well and is just as spunky! I think they did a very good job on this movie...so good of a job that I would not classify it with normal sequels. I think it will be on the shelf with the other classics. They still have the Tink that turns red when she's mad, and the lost boys haven't changed a bit. Peter is just as I remember him, and in all this they did a great job. And overall, I love this movie. The credits did surprise me. They reminded me of the last page in the Little Golden Books I read as a child. Very similar artistry...very similar lay out.

Also, I'd like to add that the music was actually not torture for me to listen to...which counts for a lot for my opinion of cartoons.

I would not miss taking my children to this movie. It's even a sweet date movie.

I think you will like it.

Young Jane has lost her faith in imagination and Peter Pan with the outbreak of the Second World War II. With her father off at war and her mother distracted by childish stories, Jane feels she is the most mature, and is looking after her family as she promised she would. But after a falling out with Wendy, Jane finds herself on board Captain Hook's ship, heading towards the second star to the right. It's not until Jane let's go of trying to be a grown up does she truly find happiness and magic. The music throughout is very well written and while modernized does still replicate the feel of the original. Ultimately, I feel this was a great carry-on from the original with all the splendor of Neverland and the perils of the island shared between Peter and Hook!

I bought this in a buy 1 get 1 free deal and just got round to watchimg it today, and to be honest - its not that bad.

Wendy has now grown up and World War 2 breaks out so to protct her children from the horror Wendy tells stories of Peter Pan.

Her oldest Jane stops believing in them until Captain Hook mistakes her for Wendy and kidnaps her.

For a sequel it isn't that bad and it better then Jungle Book 2. Its worth 1 watch at least