Another Disney movie goes under the remake hammer. This time the 1977 movie, Pete's Dragon gets dragged kicking and spitting fire into 2016. Thankfully though, as reboots go, this is damn watchable.
The movie follows the story of Pete, who finds himself orphaned after a car crash. Wandering through the deep dark woods all alone, Pete suddenly gets surrounded by some hungry wolves, only to be saved by a friendly dragon called Elliot.
Much of the movie falls on the shoulders of Pete, played by Oakes Fegley, and while this young actor shows plenty of promise, his performance is nothing spectacular, especially when his co-star is a scene stealing, computer generated masterpiece. Easily the best thing about the movie, Elliot the dragon is phenomenal. This furry, winged, fire breathing beast gives more of a performance than the entire cast combined. He simply is worth the price of admission alone. One of the finest CG characters of the last few years, at times, Elliot really tugs on the heart strings. It's just a pity that he's off the radar for much of the second act.
Robert Redford sounds and looks like he just about managed to get out his trailer and deliver a few gravelly lines. While his role is minor, it's still pivotal, but he never really delivers. However, it's Bryce Dallas Howard who just dials her "performance" in from the moon. It's non existent to be honest.
The story itself, while being completely fantastical, drags it heels in places and has more gaping plot holes than the surface of the aforementioned moon. But then again, this is all about suspending belief, and thanks to Elliot, audiences will be catapulted into a world where they really believe a dragon exists in small town USA.
While Pete's Dragon is cliched and predictable and suffers some pacing issues (not helped by a woeful, warbling soundtrack) it does manage to pull a few emotional punches that will leave you smiling and teary eyed at the same time. Not without it's problems, but something that is definitely worth your time.
The movie follows the story of Pete, who finds himself orphaned after a car crash. Wandering through the deep dark woods all alone, Pete suddenly gets surrounded by some hungry wolves, only to be saved by a friendly dragon called Elliot.
Much of the movie falls on the shoulders of Pete, played by Oakes Fegley, and while this young actor shows plenty of promise, his performance is nothing spectacular, especially when his co-star is a scene stealing, computer generated masterpiece. Easily the best thing about the movie, Elliot the dragon is phenomenal. This furry, winged, fire breathing beast gives more of a performance than the entire cast combined. He simply is worth the price of admission alone. One of the finest CG characters of the last few years, at times, Elliot really tugs on the heart strings. It's just a pity that he's off the radar for much of the second act.
Robert Redford sounds and looks like he just about managed to get out his trailer and deliver a few gravelly lines. While his role is minor, it's still pivotal, but he never really delivers. However, it's Bryce Dallas Howard who just dials her "performance" in from the moon. It's non existent to be honest.
The story itself, while being completely fantastical, drags it heels in places and has more gaping plot holes than the surface of the aforementioned moon. But then again, this is all about suspending belief, and thanks to Elliot, audiences will be catapulted into a world where they really believe a dragon exists in small town USA.
While Pete's Dragon is cliched and predictable and suffers some pacing issues (not helped by a woeful, warbling soundtrack) it does manage to pull a few emotional punches that will leave you smiling and teary eyed at the same time. Not without it's problems, but something that is definitely worth your time.
