Peter Pan
This week I chose Peter Pan....actually someone else chose it for me. Either way though, I had a blast reliving my childhood in watching this film. It's a classic that I hadn't seen in a while (I have no idea why though because it was AMAZING).
The movie starts out with the booming voice of the narrator. You remember narrators right? Well Mr. Narrator (who doesn't appear ever again and the rest the movie. Who knows why) brings us to this delightful house full of chaotic children who spend their time playing pirates and Peter Pan because I guess "cops and robbers" or "cowboys and Indians" weren't as popular in this time frame. The children's father, who evidently is the biggest Peter Pan skeptic ever, is a "practical man".
Perhaps now is a good time to address the fact that these children have a dog as a nanny. Who's genius idea was that?
You got to hand it to her though; that dog is pretty efficient and much more coordinated than I am.
I am just going to say right off the bat that the entire movie focuses around youth and it's contrast with adulthood. There's nothing wrong with growing older; however, most, when entering adulthood, tend to forget their childhood innocence which puts them out at a disadvantage in life. They get strung up in "practicality" and innocence and fun become fiction. That being said, George Darling becomes the perfect symbol for adulthood accompanied with lost childhood. What is particularly interesting is the contrast with his children. The majority of the children's features seem to be from their mother and none take after their father, neither characteristically nor physically.
They do all look like their mother, however.
If you read my previous post, you know that I like colors! In this film, George Darling wears a sensible black-and-white ensemble and Mrs. Darling (along with Wendy and Michael) are wearing more youthful pastels. This demonstrates their innocence and childlike qualities or simple open-mindedness.
Back to the plot: George gets completely fed up with all of the Peter Pan "poppycock"(isn't that a fun word?) and tells Wendy that she must move out of the nursery as she is growing older.
Gasp! What?! Move out of the nursery? You can't be serious? I'm only like eleven years old!
The moving of the rooms is obviously symbolic for Wendy having to grow up. It's pretty self-explanatory. While Mr. Darling is doing unspeakably evil things, like giving his daughter her own room, he also decides that his children shouldn't have a dog as a nanny. This guy just keeps getting crueler and crueler. Taking the "nanny" away is also quite symbolic. It shows that the children are big enough to handle themselves. They are assuming responsibility and growing up.
After the Darlings leave (Mr. Darling in an amusing sarcastic fit), we see Peter Pan for the first time:
Don't be afraid if this guy crawls into your bedroom window. It's just the weird flying boy who kidnaps your children and takes them to battle pirates. Honestly though, this is the most painfully creepy picture I have ever seen.
We have finally met the title character and his trusty pixie sidekick. In my personal opinion, Tinker Bell represents teenage girls (Peter is children, the Lost Boys are neglected children, Hook and George are adults, etc). She is self-conscious, easily swayed toward boys, jealous, vicious at times, and sometimes taken advantage of. I'll get to this some more later on.
Haven't we all had those moments, ladies? Although I wish my figure was a little MORE like Tinker Bell's during those "moments".
We find out that Wendy has Peter's shadow. Who would've guessed? Peter is gallivanting around in a juvenile attitude while Wendy is taking her maternal initiative and sewing Peter's shadow back to his foot. Man, I hate it when I have to sew my shadow back on.
Long story short: Wendy really wants to kiss Peter...a lot. She should probably sit down with her mother and have a nice little chat about self-respect and social graces. Tinker Bell decides that she does not like this new girl jumping her man, thus starting a conflict that will flourish throughout the entire movie.
Anyway, the children decide to fly to Neverland because why not. And then there's John:
Let me just grab my umbrella and top hat. John is the most British child ever, I swear.
If you notice, however, John is the most mature of the group. He's got that diction down. Heck, in a few years he might be throwing out phrases like "absolute poppycock", just like his father. John also is the only child not in color. He instead mimics his father's black-and-white motif to symbolize his maturity.
So there is this delightful little song about thinking happy thoughts and flight and all of that jazz.
. 
Grumpy Cat won't be flying today.
Tinker Bell's jealousy comes out again as she insults Wendy, who promptly retaliates with a genuine compliment. This shows the difference between the teen mentality and the girl mentality. When a young girl sees someone pretty, they are unashamed to say it and usually disregard other factors. The teenagers, however, do not care about how pretty a rival female is. They will, instead, fight them with every fiber of their being (especially if she just tried to make out with your man). Tinker Bell is also taken advantage of quite a bit. She is only wanted for the pixie dust and is very under-appreciated. Tink does have all the metaphorical necessities of childhood though, such as flight, Neverland, and such, so she demonstrates the bridge between childhood and adulthood.
Notice that on their way to Neverland, they pass Big Ben (a clock). Clocks have to do with time and therefore age. Hint hint wink wink.
Off to Neverland where we meet our villain, Captain Hook. Hook is a very comical villain. It reinforces the childhood themes. Silly villains are often a characteristic of children's stories which is highly appropriate for this film. Also, who does Hook look like?
Both of which are comedic and somewhat antagonistic. They also both stand for adulthood. Coincidence? I think not! Hook's goal is to kill Peter Pan, who is a symbol of childhood. Hook, in theory, is on a mission to end childhood in which he relates to George here, who is trying to force Wendy to grow up.
Anybody else notice that the map shows Cannibal Cove? How did they forget to mention that there are flippin' CANNIBALS on this island?! And this is where all of these children are supposed to spend their immortal lives? How about no.
In other news, Captain Hook just flat-out shoots a guy for being slightly out of key. Maybe he could stand to join Wendy and Mrs. Darling for that chat on social graces.
One of the most iconic elements of the film, Hook is always being stalked by this crocodile. The crocodile swallowed a clock and now ticks constantly because of it. Think hard, what is one of the biggest fears of adulthood? Growing old and death. The ticking crocodile could certainly be a metaphor for Hook's fear of old age and and it's inevitability. It is interesting though, given that theory, that adults and children share a fear.
Have you ever wondered what Hook's name was before he had a hook for a hand? There is no purpose in that question; I'm just curious.
Peter Pan and Hook duke it out. Guess who wins? Peter=1. Hook=0. Tough break. Meanwhile Tinker Bell summons the Lost Boys. These boys are the bad type of childhood, the children who are raised incorrectly and act like animals, who have been neglected and don't know the importance of family, and who will always remain juvenile. Anywho, Tinker Bell up and tells them to go shoot Wendy and they're all like, "Sounds legit." So off they go to shoot Wendy. The boys are caught by a disapproving Peter and all feign for attention like neglected children do. Peter gets ticked at Tinker Bell who gladly admits to the crime and doesn't take any of his crap.
Tinker Bell gets banished for a week but she doesn't look so concerned about it in that picture.
Next they decide to play "Follow the Leader" which isn't really a game. It's just an opportunity for you to boss all of your friends around. This "game" is accompanied by a song that will never ever ever get out of your head. So have fun with that.
See, John? Even the monkeys are making fun of your top hat.
They decide to come up with a strategy to attack the Indians. Since Michael is somewhat of a runt and easily distracted (I relate), he is excluded from this highly secretive discussion. While this is happening, he discovers an inevitable ambush which he tries to warn the others of but because of his status, the jerks don't listen and then they are all captured, including the teddy bear.
The movie then proceeds into one of the most politically incorrect scenes of all Disney. These aren't the graceful Pocahontas natives; these are aggressive "savages".
Meanwhile, Peter Pan takes Wendy to that mermaid lagoon she was dreaming about. Turns out, these mermaids are really flirtatious. They also bully Wendy quite a bit.
After that fiasco, the duo heads to go rescue Tiger Lily from Captain Hook. Hook's got Tiger Lily tied to an anchor in the cave while the crocodile closely watches. Props to Tiger Lily, though. Talk about calm and collected.
There is this huge scene in which we find out that Peter does very good impressions. Seriously, he could have quite a career ahead of him. Also, Tiger Lily is saved and Captain Hook almost gets eaten by the crocodile. Hook goes home after the near death experience and by the look of things is having a tough time coping.
An accurate depiction of me during finals week.
What happens next is the most underestimated line in all of Disney: "Brings back the good old days when we was leadin' a normal, healthy life, scuttling ships, cutting throats." Oh, Mr. Smee. I'm fairly certain he is also drunk in this scene. Captain Hook eventually comes to his senses and develops a diabolical plan (because you can't be a decent villain without one).
On the other side of Neverland, Peter Pan has returned Tiger Lily and made everyone "heap glad."
They then smoke a peace pipe. I would like to take this opportunity to say, don't smoke at age eleven or whatever the heck Peter is. Not cool. Then there is this song that is really good but will make you feel guilty for liking it. Everyone parties! Dancing! Drum circles! But poor Wendy Darling is sent to get firewood probably because she is a woman or something. Then, lo and behold, Tiger Lily takes that kiss from Peter that Wendy so desperately wanted....and he liked it! Wendy is about done at this point. Love is cruel. Robbie Heart put it best:
If you get nothing else from this post, understand that Love Stinks (yeah yeah).
Back to Captain Hook. Hook is playing the piano amazingly for a dude who's short 4 appendages. Another point about Tinker Bell representing teenagers: in this scene, we see her seek refuge in an older man who is only using her because she is vulnerable and has something he wants. Once again, feel free to do with that information what you wish. Tink sells out and it turns out that Peter Pan lives in Hangman's Tree.
You would think that a tree like this would be just a tad bit suspicious.
Inside said tree, Wendy has grown into a young lady. She assumes motherly roles and tells the children to "be practical" which is the term used to describe George Darling in the beginning. She has effectively begun to enter adulthood. She tries hard to get the boys to calm down and succeeds. You have to pity her though, it's like frat house Jr. in there. Wendy sings this cotton-candy-sweet song to the boys and John takes the feather from his top hat. The reluctant Peter, however, leaves an entire headdress on. At this point those feathers symbolizes immaturity. John has released his and Peter has not.
Turns out, we are all Michael.
This part of the movie is like the rebuttal. Youth is important and imaginative, whimsical fun is important. Remembering those are all important but maturity is necessary. There is a balance that must occur for success in life.
The Lost Boys and the Darlings leave the tree to be kidnapped by pirates while Peter plays a melody on his pan flute. It's staccato, spontaneous, and jovial, just like him.
The children are taken to the pirate ship where they are promised things like free tattoos for signing on to become a pirate. So far the movie has advertised alcohol, smoking, and now tattoos (and who knows what's in that "pixie dust"), all while encouraging childhood innocence. This scene depicts how evil characters are always targeting children. This is because children, as a group, are much more valuable and strong than many think. Hilter had a very active youth program that helped further the Nazi party.
Hook's genius plan, it turns out, is to give Pan a box that says "Do not open until six o'clock."
Seems legit.
Tinker Bell comes back and saves the day even though this jerk tried to banish her forever! Congrats to Tink on being the bigger man here. Pan heads off to save his other woman who is currently walking a plank. Oh the suspense. She jumps....and there's no splash. The entire crew is baffled.
No one can figure out why there wasn't a splash until Peter Pan makes it painfully clear. The ship plummets into a fight. Smee does the only sensible thing and starts fleeing while Hook and Peter battle. Peter agrees to fight Hook without flying which is stupid because Peter is going up against a sword with a dagger, but hey it's not my life that's at stake. Peter pulls it off though and Hook begs for what he can't give: mercy. Somebody needs to teach Hook the golden rule. They call Hook a codfish (out of all the insults...really?) and send him on his merry way where the crocodile tries to strike, as he always strikes in moments of vulnerability.
They start on their way home...in a flying pirate ship of course. How else? These children come home after having been fired at with cannons, shot out of the sky with slingshots, attacked by homicidal mermaids, almost burned at the stake, encountering psychotic pirates, while avoiding ticking crocodiles and rumored cannibals. Sounds far more interesting than MY evening. Wendy admits to her father that she is ready to grow up. It must have been the multiple near-death experiences. They watch the ship fly out the window and George's eyes grow. He's seen the ship before. Now that, my friends, is an ending.
I missed this movie so much. It is so diverse and entertaining and plot driven. There is intensity in every scene and it carries very emotional themes. I got chills at the ending. It's impossible to get bored watching it. And one more for the road:
I have read somewhere that the need for magic dust for the ability to fly was not in the original story, in the original story Peter Pan told Wendy and her brothers just to think happy thoughts, but the magic dust was added to the story after complaints that kids were mimicking the "think happy thoughts and you'll be able to fly" and ended up with injuries that required hospital stays.
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