David Lowery’s live-action remake of the classic fairytale “Peter Pan and Wendy” premiered on Disney+ on April 28, 2023, featuring Jude Law, Yara Shahidi, and Ever Anderson as the cast. According to Billboard (https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9565421/peter-pan-and-wendy-how-to-watch-disney-plus/), the movie follows the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never wanted to grow up, and Wendy, the girl who he takes on a magical adventure to Neverland.
Unlike Disney’s animated original from 1953, Lowery’s version makes several changes that improved the story’s representation, according to USA Today (https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/04/29/peter-pan-wendy-movie-changes-disney-vs-live-action/7325078001/). The film features diverse Lost Boys and Native American representation that is more authentic than before. Additionally, Collider (https://collider.com/peter-pan-wendy-ending-explained/) explained that the ending of the movie is different from the original tale.
Despite the positive changes, audience reactions to “Peter Pan and Wendy” on Rotten Tomatoes were mixed, according to Screen Rant (https://screenrant.com/peter-pan-wendy-hates-critics-love-reviews/). However, Peter Pan & Wendy could be seen as a self-critique, pleasing parents more than kids, according to SuperHeroHype (https://www.superherohype.com/movies/512641-peter-pan-wendy-review-the-green-knight-rises).
In this new installment of the famous fairytale, a new girl is introduced to Neverland, according to The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/movies/peter-pan-wendy-review.html). Wendy is the one who shows determination and bravery, while Peter is represented as a lost boy in search of his true identity. Polygon (https://www.polygon.com/22556328/peter-pan-wendy-review-disney-plus-david-lowery) also noted that the film’s sophistication and darker themes may appeal more to adults than children.
Overall, Lowery’s retelling of “Peter Pan and Wendy” brought some much-needed improvements to the original storyline while receiving mixed reviews from audiences. With its fresh take on the classic fairytale, the film brings a new girl to Neverland, features authentic representation, and gives viewers a chance to see the story arc in a new way.
