Starring: Levi Miller, Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara 

Year: 2015

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Run time: 1 hr and 51 mins

In Theaters: Thursday, 8th October 2015 (Philippines)

Distributed by: Warner Bros

Pan Starring Levi Miller as Peter Pan is a prequel to J.M Barrie’s classic story that tells the origin of how Peter Pan came to Neverland and met Captain Hook.

Peter Pan is left with a note and pan-pipes pendant from his mother at the orphanage in London then few years later the city is bombed during WWII. A baby is now a curious and mischievous boy who is not afraid to question the authority. He tries to investigate why the other boys are disappearing then it is revealed that the nun in charge is selling the kids to pirates. One night, he and his fellow orphans are kidnapped by these pirates in a flying ship.

The narrator tells us in the opening scene that this isn’t the story you’ve heard before. Probably, because if you’re expecting that Captain Hook (Garrett Hedlund) is behind this attack, you’d be wrong. It’s the other pirate, Black Beard ( Hugh Jackman).

Peter and the other boys are dragged off to Neverland to work mines looking for a Fairy dust or “pixum” as it helps BlackBeard to rejuvenate and keep his youthful look.

In his first day, Peter Pan already got in trouble and as a troublemaker he was executed and needs to walk the plank into a bed of rocks. Everyone is shocked when he takes flight before hitting the ground.

Blackbeard remembered the prophecy that a half fairy, half human boy who could fly would come and overthrow him and win a rebellion for the natives of Neverland. Peter Pan is the “chosen one” and he was put into jail by Blackbeard. And surprisingly, Captain Hook is also in prison. They escape and along the way they are captured by the natives, including the Princess Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara). His adventure begins as he discovers the secrets of his life and true destiny as the chosen one.

Pan- written by Jason Fuchs and directed by Joe Wright falls short as they focused on preparing the audience to a sequel. The visual is great and stunning, thanks to CGI, it makes Neverland a place full of wonder that will definitely fascinate the kids. The special expects and the costumes just show that this is a big-budget enterprise. But it’s all too much and just overpowers the story itself.

What I hate about this kind of movie is the motives of the producers to make a franchise; sacrificing the plot, because of their ambitions of settling things up for a second film.

Good thing, the casts are great.  Levi Miller did a superb performance. His charm and charisma is perfect for the role. Hugh Jackman as a villain is new for me. While Garret Hedlund and Rooney Mara are great in their roles.  I love how Mara played the role of Tiger Lily, as a warrior princess. But wait where Tinker Bell is? Maybe, we’ll get to know more of her on the second film.

I just had so much fun with this movie. It’s light, fun and full of joy. Sure, it has flaws, but the film itself is just so entertaining and has a potential. If you want to escape to Neverland this movie is for you.

Verdict: 6/10

Special Thanks to Mellow947, DJs @Cazedmunds947 and  @indi947 for the invites.