The new feature film Pan is out in UK cinemas on October 16, 2015 and we got to go and see it on Monday night at a special screening held at Warner Brother’s HQ in Central London. It was AMAZING! It’s not often I am gripped by a film of this genre but Pan is absolutely outstanding and Florence along with her friend Zhane thought so too. It’s certified PG so might not be an obvious choice for 5 and 6 year olds but I know my friend Carolynne from Mummy Endeavours had taken her twin boys (age6) to the premiere and they had loved it so I was willing to take the chance. I’m so glad I did!
Pan, which is directed by Joe Wright and stars Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Rooney Mara, Garrett Hedlund, Cara Delevingne and Levi Miller is, in my mind, a prequel to the Peter pan story we all know by J.M Barrie. In this darl tale we find out how Peter came to be a Lost boy, to live in Neverland and we also see that Captain Hook wasn’t always the baddie we know him as today. The story is so clever and told in such a wonderful way. it’s like being read a fairy tale in glorious technicolour and with every edge of the seat moment my eyes (and the girls) were glued to the screen.
We saw it in 3D which often doesn’t translate well to non illustrated and real life performances but in this it is a tantalising feast for the eyes which left me near to tears at it’s beauty in places, in others holding my breath and mostly just awe struck at how wonderfully the genre has been used. It’s a magnificent piece of art which I know makes me sound like a right flipping geek at the Tate trying to impress her mates but honestly, it’s truly a wonder to watch.
The story is so dark and grim in places and with such fierce and terrifying characters that I completely understand why it’s a PG but although Florence hid her face in my arms on a few occasions it also made her so happy that I really do think it’s suitable for her age group. I never thought that the hottie known as Hugh Jackman, one of hollywood’s finest ever foxy trotsys as far as I’m concerned, could be so vile and unattractive but… I guess it shows what a brilliant actor he is. And humble. In an interview he gave about Pan recently he said his son asked him why he made the mega bucks when all he did was play dress up and he conceded that he doesn’t really know why. I actually think his skill is pretty individual so he’s on the money for me and along with other wonderful performances, notably that of the young actor Levi Miller who plays 12 year old orphan Peter, the cast is superb! Kathy Burke as Mother Barnabus also proves she’s gone a long way from Waynetta Slob and although terrifying is also mesmirising.
I’ve heard that Pan has been, well, panned by the critics but I have to say I don’t agree. Who are these people calling themselves critics when they clearly can’t see a diamond even when it shines and glistens right in front of them! The story is left wide open so we’re hoping for a dequel to the prequel and beyond!
Watch this new featurette on the 3D used for PAN and you’ll be as smitten as we were!
Pan is out in UK cinemas from october 16th 2015.
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