Peter & Wendy

Critics and public alike almost immediately started raving when ITV released the latest envisioning of the timeless classic that is the Peter Pan story on Boxing Day. It has been praised for its writing, acting performances and the heartbreaking, show-stopping moments it features (particularly the ending). However, whilst I admire the ambition and appreciate the essence of Peter Pan, I do feel Peter & Wendy to be lacking in numerous key areas, and at times it left me feeling cold; and I absolutely love Peter Pan!

I can see what they tried to do - interplay the classic story within a heart-wrenching tale of modern day times. I fully appreciate the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital links. I feel it is only completely right and proper that such a remarkable institution is recognized well and truly, and actually the feeding of the hospital elements through the story themselves work very well (though the strange set mash ups between the likes of the Jolly Roger and a hospital ward are slightly odd to look at). However, the writing and cinematography that links these two major settings is very disjointed and disorientating in trying to be fast and free-flowing. The result is that more often than not as a viewer you don't have time to settle into the story at all and both the core, and charming elements of both the new family hospital drama, and more importantly of the Pan story are almost lost. Indeed, any Pan fan will recognize key moments of the tale, but that is all they are; moments disjointed with no real feeling, simply going through the motions as it were of the beloved story - the sublime Barrie narrative that should not be tested or fettled with too much is pretty much lost.

It is a noble effort to try and revamp Peter Pan, and as I say as a one off it just scrapes through, but that I am afraid in terms of overall story is about it.

Then there is the cast. It is often the case in new Pan adaptations that the actor behind Peter Pan himself is either overlooked and/or slated, and sadly this is no exception. Again in trying to be different - the ITV version had Peter Pan appear to be this, "edgy", chav-esque teenage northern  kid. No, just no. Only the most powerful of actors and performances would be able to even attempt to carry that off, and that is so not what we got in Zak Sutcliffe. Cold, expressionless, almost oblivious to anyone around him, and apparently only being able to portray obtuse arrogance or typically clichéd teenage nonchalance as an emotion. For me completely disappointing, bordering on infuriatingly hopeless as Pan.

Not all the cast were all bad for me though, and even some new young gems were found. The new interpretation of Tiger Lily was a bit lifeless, though the Lost Boys were a delight, as was Hazel Doupe who played the dual roles of Wendy and Lucy very well, if slightly stylized.

Yet for me there were two clear stand outs in an often otherwise good to mediocre cast list. Surprisingly Paloma Faith as Tinker Bell just worked so well. It sounds wrong, but the feisty singer captured Tink's unique attitude to a tee. 

There was also the ever-superb Stanley Tucci, a surprise but very welcome injection of quality into Peter & Wendy. As Mr. Darling and a Great Ormond Street surgeon he is great, but his third role of Captain Hook is sublime. Perfectly pitched, perfectly engaged and clearly performed by an actor who completely understands Jim Hook - every second of Tucci in the wig and wearing the hook is a delight to watch. If anything is to last about Peter & Wendy it is Stanley Tucci as Hook, who I feel deserves to go down as one of the all-time great classic interpretations of the legendary antagonist.

So yes, a valiant and worthy effort ITV, but next time try not to mess around too much with an already winning formula. I know its tempting, but please...its Peter Pan. 

Peter & Wendy was just good enough to hold my attention, and oddly it was the villain that saved the day, but I shall not be melting with tears at how lovely it all was. For me, if you're still searching for that perfect Neverland experience - then keep heading on to the second star on the right, straight on until morning...