I just got home from seeing a sneak preview of Disney’s new Pete’s Dragon. I barely heard the radio playing in the car on the drive home because I was still thinking about the movie. It’s just spectacular.
I cried in the theater and didn’t even try not to. It was worth me looking ridiculous in my 3D glasses wiping away tears.
So How Is The Dragon?
When I first saw the pictures months ago of Eliot I wasn’t really sure what I thought about him being covered in fur. I mean he’s a dragon, so scales right? What they did was turn him into everything that you love about a cat, dog and dragon put together. He was beautiful and innocent with the loyalty and playfulness of a dog and the curiosity and agility of a cat. Add the fact that he can fly and cuddles at night while you sleep and I think I could probably live with him in the woods too. He’s like a big, fluffy teddy bear with tons of personality and the ability to breathe fire. I will be watching for sales on stuffed dragons- I want one of my own.
How Was The Movie?
The movie was set in the 1970s which was fantastic and they weren’t obnoxious about it. Besides the music on the radio and the body types of the cars you almost felt like everything was timeless- especially because so many of the clothes and hair styles are popular now. Without the cell phones, internet usage and distraction of technology the movie felt simpler- a reminder of a time where things like friendship, family and taking care of nature were important to us.
Filmed in the Pacific Northwest the scenery is almost a character in itself. The beautiful views allow the magnificent dragon to appear even more natural. Of course something could have been living in the woods for 30 years and no one see it- look at how vast the landscape is! They capture the mystery of the forest and make it truly breathtaking.
For the first time in a long time I can say this about a movie- it wasn’t too long. I feel like every movie I have seen in the last five years has been at least 20 minutes too long (even The Jungle Book which I LOVED had about 15 minutes of fluff plus that ridiculous Christopher Walken song). Pete’s Dragon was the perfect length. They jumped right into the story and moved it along. They didn’t dwell on anything that wasn’t necessary. At just over 100 minutes I didn’t even have time to get uncomfortable or be pulled out of the mood the movie created.
Who Should See The Movie?
The movie is PG only because (in my opinion) of some of the more complex emotions of the film that would be lost on a younger audience. Pete’s internal battle of being torn between the human world and his dragon friend is a huge part of what makes the film so beautiful. The ongoing dilemma all adults face of progress and preservation is dominant. The reality we all face of when to overtake nature and when to just let it be. And the idea of true friendship and when it’s time to let go and move on. I would have no problem taking my six year old nephew to see it and, when it comes out on DVD, watching it with my four year old niece (who I think would just be too much of a wiggle worm in the theater).
Anyone who loved the old movie will have no problem watching the new one. We had a VHS tape of it growing up that we had recorded off the Disney Channel on our television and I watched it until the tape was ruined. I still remember every song. This movie in no way mars my memories and makes me love it even more.
