Going into Pete’s Dragon (2016), I intentionally kept my expectations neutral. Discovering it was a remake of the 1977 film shortly before watching only piqued my interest further, despite my unfamiliarity with the original live-action musical. The advancements in CGI promised a believable dragon, and thankfully, this film delivers a truly stunning and realistic Elliot.
However, Pete’s Dragon is much more than just impressive visuals. It’s a film brimming with an engaging narrative, endearing characters, and a profound sense of heart. The story begins with young Pete (Oakes Fegley) tragically losing his parents in a car accident during a family road trip. Stranded alone in the vast wilderness, Pete’s life takes an extraordinary turn when he encounters a remarkable creature. Remarkably quickly, we are introduced to Elliot, the dragon of the title, named by Pete himself. Unlike the fearsome dragons of myth like Smaug from The Hobbit or those in Game of Thrones, Elliot is a gentle giant – a furry, green dragon capable of flight and fire-breathing, yet utterly huggable. Just like Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon, Elliot instantly captured my affection.
The development of Pete and Elliot’s friendship unfolds in a unique way compared to How To Train Your Dragon. After their initial encounter, where young Pete bravely climbs onto Elliot’s massive paw, the film fast-forwards six years to reveal a deep and established bond. Their life in the woods, depicted through scenes of playful companionship, evokes memories of Disney’s The Jungle Book (2016), with Pete embodying a Mowgli-esque existence. However, Pete’s Dragon forges its own distinct path, with no talking animals, including Elliot. Similar to The Jungle Book, it requires a slight suspension of disbelief to accept a child surviving alone in the wilderness, raised by a mythical creature.
Elliot has become a local legend, whispered about in hushed tones, much like the Loch Ness Monster. Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford), a seasoned wood carver, is the primary storyteller of the dragon’s tale, often met with skepticism from his pragmatic forest ranger daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard). The catalyst for the central conflict arises when Grace discovers Pete in the forest and brings him back to civilization. Grace quickly forms a connection with Pete, recognizing his shared wonder for the woods she cherishes. Her stepdaughter, Natalie (Oona Laurence), also bonds with Pete, offering him his first real friendship with a child his own age. While Pete adapts to human society with surprising ease, his longing for Elliot is palpable. Elliot, in turn, deeply misses Pete, and a particularly poignant scene shows the dragon observing Pete interacting with Grace’s family through a window, tugging at the heartstrings.
Set in the 1980s, Pete’s Dragon naturally evokes the spirit of Spielberg’s classic family films. Interestingly, Spielberg’s The BFG, released around the same time, left me feeling rather uninspired. However, director David Lowery masterfully captured both my imagination and emotions with Pete’s Dragon. While I am generally susceptible to movie tears, this film evoked an unusually strong emotional response, with several scenes prompting genuine sobs. Despite a somewhat predictable narrative, I was completely immersed in the movie’s world and invested in the characters’ journey. This is particularly impressive considering Lowery’s previous work was primarily in independent cinema, including the R-rated crime drama Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.
Oakes Fegley delivers a captivating performance as Pete, and the on-screen chemistry between him and the CGI Elliot is remarkably believable. Robert Redford brings gravitas to his role, and delivers a memorable, impactful scene towards the film’s conclusion, effectively maximizing his screen time. Bryce Dallas Howard provides a much more compelling performance here compared to her role in another creature-feature summer blockbuster, Jurassic World. The closest character to an antagonist is Karl Urban‘s lumberjack Gavin. Initially, Gavin seems almost cartoonishly villainous, viewing Elliot as a threat. However, his motivations evolve into a possessive desire to capture the dragon. Urban, always a charismatic actor, is compelling even in this role, and Gavin ultimately undergoes a redemption arc. Wes Bentley, as Gavin’s brother and Grace’s fiancé, unfortunately has a less developed role.
The film’s New Zealand setting provides a breathtaking backdrop. Despite the heavy reliance on CGI for Elliot, the visual effects are seamlessly integrated, creating a natural and organic feel throughout the film, with a harmonious blend of the CGI dragon and live-action human characters. Daniel Hart’s musical score effectively amplifies the movie’s emotional depth, although it doesn’t quite reach the iconic memorability of John Powell’s score for How To Train Your Dragon.
In conclusion, Pete’s Dragon (2016) is a thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience. As Pete and Elliot soar through the skies, the film truly takes flight, carrying the audience’s hearts along with them. It stands out as one of the most heartwarming and memorable family films in recent years, and certainly a movie that warrants repeat viewings.
