The Very First Lost Girl (Disney's Return to Neverland, 2002)

Wendy is all grown up, with children of her own, and as the blitzkrieg rages, she calms them with tales of Peter Pan. Wendy's stubborn 12-year-old daughter, Jane, has no patience for such nonsense until Captain Hook uses the girl as a pawn in capturing his arch-rival. Peter Pan. Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys come to her aid; however, even they cannot make Jane a believer in the magic of imagination. Unless she believes, she cannot fly, and there is no other way for her to return home. - Google

Story

     Released several years after the original Peter Pan, Return to Neverland takes place during World War II.   Wendy is now grown up and married with two children of her own, Jane and Danny.   When Wendy's husband Edward goes off to war, he puts Jane in charge of taking care of the family.   Jane takes her job very seriously and puts away "childish nonsense," such as stories of Peter Pan.   After Captain Hook sneaks through Jane's window and captures her, Peter Pan has to save her and try to get her back home.   This is actually one of the better sequels Disney has made.   It was captivating and true to the original animated film.

Visuals

     I was very impressed with these visuals!   Usually, Disney's sequels are less-than-spectacular in the animation department.   However, this film really tried its best to up the animation game.   There were some parts I didn't like, such as a tacky combination of CGI and hand-drawn animation.   However, I've never been a fan of Disney's CGI/hand-drawn hybrids (not counting Beauty and the Beast), so it may be just me.   ☺   I also didn't like Jane's character design, but that's also a personal opinon.

Music

     This film reprises songs from the original film, such as "The Second Star to the Right," while still adding in new songs.   My only problem is I hate when movies (especially musicals) have someone singing over the scene who is not a character.   I enjoyed the song "I'll Try," but I disliked that it was sung over the entire scene instead of Jane singing it herself.   Only two songs were sung by characters, "Here We Go Another Plan" and "You're One of Us Now."

Final Rating

     It's technically a three-star film, but since it was one of the best animated sequels I've seen, I gave it an extra Mickey.   It's worth a watch if you're a Peter Pan fan or if you're looking for hope in the sequel department.   Plus, Tinker Bell gets a LOT more screen time in this movie!   ☺

Bonus gif:

Continue Reading →

Just Think Of The Happiest Things (Disney's Peter Pan, 1953)

Based upon Sir James M. Barrie's 1904 play about the boy who refuses to grow up, the film begins in the London nursery of Wendy, John, and Michael Darling, where three children are visited by Peter Pan. With the help of his tiny friend, the fairy Tinkerbell, Peter takes the three children on a magical flight to Never Land. This enchanted island is home to Peter, Tink, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and her Native American nation, and the scheming Captain Hook who is as intent on defeating Peter Pan as he is from escaping the tick-tocking crocodile that once ate a hand of his that Peter Pan cut off--and loved the taste of so much. - IMDb

Story

     The story of Peter Pan is an eternal classic.   Since its first production in 1904, it has maintained immense popularity with both children and adults. The tale reflects real children in such a realistic, funny way that no other story I have read (or watched) has ever done. Children are often arrogant, proud, silly, mature, brave, foolish, loving, kind, and playful all in the same minute.   This is what the story holds true to.   The nature of children is a difficult thing to capture, but this story does it so well.   The movie, while changing a few things from the book, still kept all of the charm, wonder, and delight from both the book and the stage play.   Peter Pan had never truly flown until Disney brought his story to life.

Visuals

     From action to scenery, Peter Pan helped animation soar to new heights.   There were so many difficult things to animate in Peter Pan, such as flight, water, animals, fights, dances, and pixie dust.   The film exceeded all expectations in these regards.   The beautiful visuals made one feel completely immersed in the movie.   I felt that I was flying over London with the characters.

Music

     So many classic, wonderful songs came from this movie!   The most popular is "You Can Fly!" but a lot of other songs are very well known.   "A Pirate's Life," "Following The Leader," and "Your Mother and Mine" are some.   "What Makes The Red Man Red," a song sung by the Indian tribe, is super controversial (and decidedly racist).   It's often cut from the film whenever it's played on television.   (However, the song is so much fun to sing and perform that in other productions of Disney's Peter Pan, such as Broadway Junior's, a song to the same tune called "Hana Mana Ganda" replaces it.   In this edition, the Indians aren't real Indians and don't actually know any Indian words, so they sing Hana Mana Ganda instead.)

Final Rating

     Overlooking the scene with the Indians (which isn't included in most showings), this film is a solid 5-star Disney classic.   It managed to bring something fresh and original to the classic story and popularized Peter Pan in a way nothing else could.   The changes made still fit in with the story without ruining the plot.   Everyone should watch or read Peter Pan at least once in their lifetime.   It will connect you to your inner child in a way nothing else has.

Bonus Gif:

Continue Reading →

Ranking Musicals: 1950s

Source

I love the 1950s. Whenever I think about the 50s, I see picturesque homes and my favorite classic films. Everything may not have been all sunshine and roses, but there seems to be a kind of quaint charm to this decade that I enjoy. That charm certainly crossed its way into the world of theater. Here is my ranking of eight of the shows the 1950s gave us, each of them a classic loved by many. Because the musicals of this decade are so well-written, I have ranked them as least favorite to favorite.

8. West Side Story (1957)

  It's been a few years since I watched the film version of West Side Story that came out a few years after the musical. I wasn't a tragic love story fan at the time, never really going for the Romeo and Juliet deal, but I liked this one okay. It is essentially the story of two gangs, one full of white teens, the other Puerto Rican immigrants. Tony, one of the white youths, falls head over heals for Maria, the sister of the opposing gang leader. This romance becomes very complex and pretty tragic for several of the characters involved. The story is an important social narrative to America today as well as it was in the 1950s. 

7. The Music Man (1957)

  The Music Man is one of the first musicals I remember seeing back in the day when I didn't understand what a musical was. It isn't my favorite show, but it does have some pretty catchy songs, and it was made into a film twice (the above video is from the 60s incarnation).  Music Man is the story of a salesman who cons towns into purchasing musical instruments and uniforms under the impression that he will start a boy's band, teaching the youths who join how to play their instruments. After the instruments have been purchased, he skips town to fool another group of people that he will teach their children to play instruments. When he stops in a town called River City, Iowa, he has no idea how his plans will change.

6. Cinderella (1957)

  This one is a bit tough to pinpoint. Originally, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella was written for television. In fact, it was one of the earliest live productions of a musical, and it starred the young Julie Andrews. I include it here because it was an original production and it did eventually make its way to the stage in 2013. Looking back, I realize that some of the book was changed, but the timeless music remains. It is the classic tale of one of the most famous princesses in literature.  

5. Once Upon a Mattress (1959)

  I only discovered Once Upon a Mattress in the last few years, but I immediately fell in love. This show is a rollicking, hilarious retelling of "The Princess and the Pea." Prince Dauntless wants to get married, but his mother doesn't want him to, so she assigns impossible tests for every suitor until there is only one eligible princess left: Princess Fred, the irreverent princess of a swamp kingdom, the worst of them all. This one is a lot of fun.

4. My Fair Lady (1956)

 My Fair Lady is another classic, a true piece of musical theater. The original cast starred Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle, a sort of crass, cockney girl that Professor Henry Higgins decides to use for an experiment, hoping to turn her into a lovely and cultured young woman. Things go awry as they often do, but along the way to Eliza becoming a lady, we are introduced to such brilliant numbers as "Just You Wait," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "Show Me." This is a very memorable show. The above clip is from the film made starring Audrey Hepburn (unfortunately her singing was dubbed over). 

3. The King and I (1950)

  It's been a few years since I watched the film made based on this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. When I was younger, I watched and enjoyed this.  The King and I is a unique story telling the tale of a British school teacher who is called to be the tutor of the king of Siam's children... well, those who are in his favor, at least. This show presents another culture with a bit of history, and I love it. It certainly isn't the happiest show ever created, but it is charming and beautiful in its own way.

2. Peter Pan (1954)

  I was tempted to place this vibrant musical in the first slot but finally decided to place it here. I discovered Peter Pan (the musical) in 2010 when I saw a youth theater perform it. Since then, it has become one of my favorites, and I've seen more than one adaption of it, including another performance this past weekend with the same theater company who did it five years ago. The show is filled with high-flying (literally) fun, hilarious pirates, and some difficult dances. I recommend the 1995 Cathy Rigby filming which the clip above is featured from. Great show.

The Sound of Music (1959)

  One of the most classic musicals anyone can remember, some might think The Sound of Music is overrated, but I love this story of an Austrian postulant, who goes from trying to become a nun to being governess of seven children. The fact that the children are ruled by a strict father and the story takes place during some of the darkest years for Europe with World War Two looming only adds extra conflict. When I think of classic musicals, this one immediately pops to mind, and that's for a reason. I have always loved The Sound of Music, and I always will. Clip is from the film version starring Julie Andrews. 

Recognize any of these classics? What's your favorite musical from the 1950s?

Continue Reading →

Finding Neverland: J.M. Barrie on Broadway

Source

   Peter Pan is one of my favorite things. If you ask people who know me, they will tell you that this love is real. One of my friends drew Peter Pan for me as a Christmas gift a couple of Christmases ago. What is it about Peter Pan that I love so much?  Perhaps it is his smug smile or his endearing sense of adventure, or maybe it is the depth in J.M. Barrie's original novel. I couldn't tell you. One day I would like to talk all about Peter Pan. In fact, I'm sure I will in the future, but for today I want to talk about Finding Neverland. 

 When I started my series on musical theater through the decades, I hadn't listened to Finding Neverland yet. I don't remember my reasoning since I love the source material so much, but it might have had something to do with being busy with school and wanting time to really enjoy the soundtrack. I did listen to it eventually, but it was too late for me to talk about it in the decade it belonged to. Finding Neverland just made its Broadway appearance last March.

  This story goes beyond the Great White Way, though. Some of you might know that a film version under the same title starring Johnny Depp was released in 2004.

Source

  You, like me, may have thought that this was another adaptation of Peter Pan. When I was young and first borrowed the DVD from the library, I was excited to get another glimpse into the fantasy world of Neverland I was so enthralled with. Boy, was I wrong. The story wasn't about Neverland, and it wasn't even about Peter Pan, not really. In the end, that didn't matter because I fell in love with it anyway.

Source

  Finding Neverland is the story of Scottish writer J.M. Barrie. In a low point in his career, he meets a family who inspire him to pen his most famous work, Peter Pan. It is a super touching story about grief and love and believing in something greater than yourself. 

Source

  Another fun fact: Peter Pan and the Darling boys were based off of children from this family, even down to their names. In the film and the musical, Barrie helps the young Peter come to terms with some tragedies in his life. I think one of my favorite moments is when Peter gets to come to the opening of Barrie's play (a play everyone thinks will fail) and he is absolutely astounded by it. 

Source

  The musical takes the source material and builds its gentle music into a symphony, getting you excited with numbers like "Believe" and "Stronger" and making you melancholy with touching songs such as "Sylvia's Lullaby" and "The Finale." 

  I've listened to all of the music, and I would love to see this show live. It has such a good mix of joyful childhood and the sadness of life. Here is the catchy song "Believe." 

  And before you think you can escape without at least two videos, here is one of my personal favorites that has been filmed. In the number "Stronger," Barrie must overcome his personal struggles to create Peter Pan with the help of a familiar future villain. I absolutely love the staging. Enjoy!

  Are you a fan of Finding Neverland, film or show? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Continue Reading →

For the Love of Pan

 

A while ago, I was watching Once Upon a Time for something to focus on while I worked on art commissions. Drawing can be an absorbing thing, but it can also be tedious for me if I have nothing for my brain to chew on, at least peripherally. I’d seen the first season and a half when the show first came out, but I’d fallen away from it when it lost most of my interest. However, I picked back up – and when season three hit, I was floored. I had to stop drawing while I watched so I could pay attention to the one character on the show (besides Rumple) that had caught my interest – Pan. Here was a magnificent and sinister twist on a timeless story. Plus, Pan was portrayed by then-seventeen-year-old Robbie Kay, who held his own against veteran actors like Robert Carlyle. In fact, I still hold that they’re the two best actors to ever grace the show. It happened very quickly – I had a character crush in about 0.6 seconds. (Not a cougar thing, I promise. The kid was seventeen.) Pan stole the show for the entire half-season he was in it, and when he left the show felt so lackluster that I quit watching it – again. Pan was the best villain Once Upon a Time ever had – and here’s why.

 

• The build-up. Hearing about Pan and Neverland from others – like Hook and Rumple – was brilliant. It was like hearing rumors about something and wondering if they’re really as bad as everyone says. It gave us a beautiful platform for Pan before he was actually introduced – and he lived up to the expectations.

 

• ‘He may look like a boy, but he’s a bloody demon.’ Pan is a childhood playmate. He’s a happy dream. He’s the face of an angel – with the heart of a selfish and sinister villain. Having someone who looks like a boy toy with and terrorize older characters on the show added to the eeriness of it all.

 

• There are times when we actually sympathize with Pan – even though we know that pretty much everything he’s done has been for purely selfish reasons. Why do we sympathize? WE DON’T BLOODY KNOW, we just do.

 

• The family ties. They lent a strand of familiarity to him, which also increased his ‘villain’ factor – after all, he’s Rumple’s father, Neal’s grandfather, Henry’s great-grandfather, Belle’s practical father-in-law – and he looks like a kid. I thoroughly enjoyed the twisted complications – it’s true when they say in-laws can be a real mess.

• He’s clever. He’s so clever that most of the time, we have no idea what he’s up to. He was ready for this back when Henry was an infant. He manipulates and schemes and he’s good at it.

 

• He’s strangely likable. He’s infuriating, annoying, bad – but his twisted sense of ‘fairness,’ as well as his cocky, arrogant humor and cavalier attitude made him impossible for me to hate, or even dislike.

• He views everything as a very serious (very deadly) game. You never know whether he’s going to let you off the hook or if he’s going to take this move seriously.

• The ayyyebrows. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Let me show you. It’s important.

 

 

 

• I’m super excited for the Heroes reboot, in which Robbie Kay will star as an undetermined character, but I can’t help wishing Pan could come back to Storybrooke. He brought quality and excitement to the show after it had begun to dull, and if he ever comes back you can bet everything you own that I’ll be watching it again.

What about you? Who's your favorite Once Upon a Time villain? Did you love Pan, or did you hate him (or both)?

Continue Reading →

Peter Pan Live! (A Review)

"I have a place where dreams are born, and time is never planned. It's not on any chart, you must find it with your heart…"

Be prepared to encounter spoilers herein. ;)

As I told Sky, I'm really honored to be allowed to write a post for you… especially one like this! It contains some of the things that make up who I am, and are most dear to me… a hometown connection, theatre, stories, and nostalgia.

I've always loved Peter Pan… I don't remember much about the book, the Disney film, Neverland, or some of the others. I do vividly remember the Jeremy Sumpter version, (the much beloved Robin Williams movie) Hook, and the one that comes full circle this weekend… the stage play. I've never seen it in person, but I can recall countless times of curling up with my sister in front of the living room television, watching the Mary Martin version on VHS. (our parents had taped it off of tv. Just as memorable to me, are the commercials on that tape! Such as Campbell's soup, McDonald's, and Peter Pan Peanut Butter!) I remember all of the times, that I would sing along… or sing the songs later on my own.

All of us, or most at any rate, remember when NBC made the Sound of Music Live! last year. Isn't it interesting that the first two they pick for live stage broadcasts are two of my most cherished childhood favorites?! First that, now Peter Pan has been shown live once more (Thursday), about the time the stage play is turning 60!

When I first heard it was to be made, I was… unsure as to how to feel. The excitement was there… but I was also worried. What would it's impact be, on the memory of the one I grew up with? Would they do it justice? Would I like it, while others hated it… like with Sound of Music? Well, we need wonder no more. I'll try to keep it as brief as possible… however, I make no promise. :P

"For sure?" "For sure!"

My overall impression:

Well, because of needing sleep and dealing with health issues, I watched it over two nights (thank you, DVR!). And hopefully this will tell you something… I'm sitting here crying, sing-songing "I'm crying" to the tune of "I'm flying", and will occasionally burst out "Can I be Peter Pan when I grow up? What fun that would be!" :P

Getting picky:

Well, if my biggest "complaint" with it, is that I can see the wires holding them up when they fly, then we're in pretty good shape! That doesn't even bug me so much, because having done live theatre, and that's what this is, things like that happen. You can't expect it to change, just because we're seeing it on tv, rather than in person. Theatre is theatre… tricks of the trade, are tricks of the trade. End of story. Now, moving on…

Characters/actors:

Hearing about this as each role was cast was pretty interesting. We have a few big names (Christopher Walken, Minnie Driver), cast members from Newsies on broadway and from the Muny stage… and Brian Williams' daughter in the lead! Craziness, right? Now that I've seen it: Wow… everyone was so great! But within that, I did have some definite opinions, when comparing it to the version I knew as a little girl. And here they are…

1. The Lost Boys… seemed a little old to me, but seeing as they were similar in age to Peter, I almost didn't mind. (though, when John and Michael are the youngest and not their peers, it's kind of off a little. Haha) But they had great personalities, and I honestly grew to care for each of them, even though you don't know their names (except for Slightly!)
2. Tiger Lily, her tribe, the pirates, and all the rest were fantastic as well. I especially liked the Darling parents. Might I quickly add here, that at first I was sad that Christian Borle's part wasn't larger… but now that I've seen the whole thing, I don't know where else I would have put him. He made a really memorable Father and Smee… though isn't the actor who plays father, traditionally the one who plays Hook? Ah well, he was awesome!
3. Wendy Moira Angela Darling… Muny alumni, Taylor Louderman, was amazing as the wide-eyed girl who was coming to terms with growing up. She shone the most: in her solo when Peter was showing her the dangers of Neverland, tucking in the Lost Boys... and most of all, when trying to cheer up any of them (Peter, especially). You could totally see that she felt "mother-ish" toward all (but one!) of the boys... a hint of the mum she'd someday be. ;) I'm thinking that it's nice to be able to "claim" her as one of our own! (growing up close to certain places, people feel a sort of kinship connection to others from your own area. I'm sure you can think of some from yours...)
4. Hook… Christopher Walken was superb, really. (you wouldn't expect him to keep up with the rest that well at his age, but WOW!) That said, I think I prefer the old Hook… not sure why, can't put my finger on it. But there it is. (I think it was Cyril Ritchard)
5. The reason we're all here… Peter Pan.

Allison Williams was fabulous! I still can't believe I'm saying this, after spending so long growing up with Mary Martin… but I like the new Peter better!! Although Mary is a slight bit cockier (which the character is known to be), Allison is decidedly more boyish in her mannerisms and expressions. If not for any other reason, I would watch it a million times just to see her in the role. (Makes me wish I could do Shrek the musical over again… I'd play Hansel a little differently this time, given the chance)

Songs, new and old:

To be honest, I didn't see much different song-wise. I mean, obviously a few things were added (like a new song for Wendy, and more singing time for their mother, for example), but it seemed pretty much "I know that one!!" the entire show. Note… I did sing along with the movie… just not loudly (so I could hear the actors). The one I was most curious about, after reading things online, was the replacement for the song with the Indians ("Ugg-a-Wugg"). Although I kinda missed the old way, I seriously didn't notice much difference in terms of words. In my mind, they cut a few lines, and changed the title… but other than where they were when it was sung, I didn't see much changed. So, I needn't have been anxious, it worked out just fine! Oh, and Peter's new song before the children were to leave (we all know they were really just gonna be taken captive, but whatevs)? That was… that was SO sad, and it was sung so convincingly and movingly that I was near tears for the poor kid. *sniff*

Sets:

I can't decide which I like better. I think that I prefer the Darling home in the old one, and everything else in the new. That said, I miss the little house that they built around Wendy in the old one… that bit was cute. And I do like the Lost Boys' hideout (and the nursery's window) in the new one. It's complicated, alright?!

Other thoughts:

Nana as a real dog, rather than whatever they did before? I approve! Two shadows for Peter in "I've Gotta Crow"? Interesting… missed the shadow play thingummy he did in the old one. Michael using the word "awesome" as they flew? Not the best choice, when coming from a kid raised in Victorian London, but I'll allow it. :P  A purpley-blue-pink crocodile? Okay, that was different… and went well with the scenery, which was all bright and cheery in hues. And Jane, at the end, was so adorable and seeing her and Peter fly off… *sniff* That's when I started bawling, I think.

Grade from me: A+

Would I watch it again, and even buy it? Yes, a million times, yes! That said, I'll still watch the old version, for memories' sake… I don't have the heart to let it go. I suppose it's the same as still watching BBC's Narnia, while loving the Walden Media versions. You can have a place in your heart for both… they mean different things, and are from different phases of your life.

Should you, or shouldn't you:

Should you preorder the DVD right now? In my opinion, yes! And while you wait for it to be available on the 16th, you'll be happy to know you don't have to wait that long. If you missed it the first time, or want to see it all again, it's re-airing on the 13th… so mark your calendars!

Before I leave…

Right now, I'm a massive puddle of contentment, and frankly, surprised I was able to coherently form this much into a review. Be on the lookout for edits, once I've had a chance to rewatch the old version. I might feel the need to add a thought or two. So, keep checking back. ;)

"When I went home… I found that sad to say… you must expect to be forgotten, once you've gone away!"

Oh, Peter… we will never forget you!!! Not Wendy, not the boys, not me, or any other child who grew up hearing of you!

"And so, I couldn't stay… that lonely night… when I went home."

"Peter, be very brave… come back with us."

Yes, come back… again and again… we'll be waiting. I'll… I'll be waiting. As you yourself have said… "If growing up means it would be, beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll NEVER grow up…" :D Anyway…

"And that's my home. Where dreams are born, and time is never planned… just think of lovely things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever… in Never… Neverland!"

Continue Reading →