Disney’s recent trend of reimagining its classic films has been met with both excitement and skepticism. However, with releases like The Jungle Book and Cinderella, and now Pete’s Dragon, it’s clear that Disney isn’t just relying on nostalgia. They’re crafting films that not only honor the spirit of the originals but often surpass them in depth and storytelling. Pete’s Dragon, in particular, stands out as a soulful and enchanting movie experience, moving beyond the clichés of remakes and establishing itself as a unique and heartwarming tale.
Earlier attempts at updating Disney classics sometimes veered into cynicism, offering subversive takes on beloved stories. But the new wave, exemplified by Kenneth Branagh’s earnest Cinderella and Jon Favreau’s immersive Jungle Book, has embraced a more sincere approach. These films aren’t just remakes; they’re enhancements, offering richer narratives and more profound emotional resonance. And then there’s Pete’s Dragon.
For those who grew up with the 1977 Pete’s Dragon, it holds a certain nostalgic charm. Yet, revisiting it with a modern eye reveals some glaring issues. The original film, while beloved by many of a certain generation, suffers from a somewhat jarring tonal inconsistency. The overtly cartoonish elements clash with surprisingly dark themes, including child endangerment and unsettlingly gleeful villainy. The songs, often cited as a key element of Disney musicals, are largely forgettable, with some even bordering on the bizarre. In retrospect, the original Pete’s Dragon, while a product of its time, hasn’t aged gracefully for all audiences.
The 2016 Pete’s Dragon smartly departs from much of its source material, carving its own path as a story of friendship, loss, and wonder. Unlike Cinderella, which embraced its fairytale roots, or The Jungle Book, which leaned into adventure, Pete’s Dragon adopts a more introspective and emotional tone. It evokes films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The Iron Giant, prioritizing atmosphere and character development over relentless action sequences. This reimagining isn’t about simply updating special effects; it’s about deepening the emotional core of the story.
One notable change is the absence of a traditional, overtly villainous presence. The Gogans, the menacing family from the original, are gone. The character reminiscent of the medicine-show quack remains, but his portrayal is nuanced, leaning more towards opportunism than outright malice. This shift allows the film to focus on more subtle forms of conflict and threat, emphasizing the vulnerability of Pete and Elliot’s hidden world.
In fact, the core similarities between the two films are quite basic: an orphaned boy, a dragon companion capable of invisibility, and a compassionate woman who becomes involved in the boy’s life. Beyond these elements, the 2016 version forges its own identity.
The setting shifts from a New England fishing village to the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest in the 1980s. Grace Meacham, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, is a forest ranger, grounding the fantastical elements in a realistic and visually stunning environment. Howard, familiar with cinematic encounters with large, elusive creatures from roles in Jurassic World and The Village, brings a sense of grounded wonder to her role. The setting itself becomes a character, emphasizing the themes of nature, mystery, and the unseen.
Robert Redford plays Grace’s father, a whimsical storyteller who claims to have encountered the Millhaven dragon. His character serves as a conduit for the film’s central themes of belief and perception. He imparts wisdom with lines like, “Just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there,” prompting reflection on the unseen wonders that might surround us.
Grace initially counters with skepticism, representing a pragmatic viewpoint. However, her father’s gentle persistence and the unfolding events encourage her, and the audience, to consider the possibility of magic in the mundane. His words, “If you go through life only looking at what’s right in front of you, you miss out on a whole lot,” encapsulate the film’s invitation to embrace wonder and look beyond the surface.
Writer-director David Lowery and co-writer Toby Halbrook infuse Pete’s Dragon with a pervasive sense of enchantment. Grace’s father’s tales, while seemingly fantastical, stem from a genuine experience of something extraordinary, something he calls “magic.” This magic, he explains, fundamentally alters his perception of the world, enriching his appreciation for the natural world and the people around him. This echoes Tolkien’s exploration of fairy stories, where mythic imagery unveils the inherent wonder within the ordinary.
The film bravely opens with the poignant loss of young Pete’s parents – a rare and impactful moment in a Disney live-action film. The car crash, while discreetly presented, establishes a tone of emotional depth from the outset. The scene is handled with sensitivity, utilizing slow-motion to convey the fragmented and dreamlike nature of childhood memory in the face of trauma.
Breaking from conventional pacing, the filmmakers reveal Elliot, the dragon, early in the film. This contrasts sharply with the suspense-building approach often employed in monster movies, and even with the original Pete’s Dragon, which kept Elliot largely unseen in the opening act. The 2016 Elliot is immediately present, an unexpectedly cuddly and furry creature, resembling a blend of feline and canine traits. This design choice emphasizes his gentle and nurturing nature, moving away from the more traditional, reptilian dragon imagery. While the original Elliot had a touch of fluffiness, the remake fully embraces a more mammalian and approachable aesthetic.
Interestingly, both versions of Pete’s Dragon sidestep the question of Elliot’s diet. Despite the presence of forest wildlife, including deer and rabbits, the film avoids any explicit depiction of predation or a “circle of life” theme. This omission keeps the focus squarely on the bond between Pete and Elliot, rather than delving into ecological realism.
When Pete (played by Oakes Fegley) is reintroduced to civilization after six years in the forest, the film convincingly portrays his disorientation. He’s not entirely feral, but he is undeniably a child of the wild. His re-entry into human society is facilitated by Natalie (Oona Laurence), the daughter of Grace’s fiancé, Jack (Wes Bentley). Natalie’s innocent curiosity and acceptance are key to Pete’s gradual assimilation.
Natalie’s simple questions, like “Is Elliot your imaginary friend?”, highlight Pete’s unfamiliarity with social constructs and abstract concepts. His earnest response, “So’s Elliot,” after Natalie insists on her own reality, is both charming and poignant. It underscores the film’s gentle challenge to conventional notions of reality and imagination, suggesting that perhaps the line between the two is more fluid than we often assume. This thoughtful approach to storytelling sets Pete’s Dragon apart from more simplistic children’s films.
While a subtle environmental undercurrent exists, concerning the impact of logging, it’s not heavy-handed. The antagonist in this aspect isn’t Jack, the lumber mill owner, but his less principled brother, Gavin (Karl Urban). Gavin’s hunter instincts and desire for the extraordinary represent a more tangible threat to Elliot’s safety and the forest’s delicate balance.
Ultimately, Pete’s Dragon excels in its exploration of emotions and relationships. The film dedicates time to developing the bonds between Pete and Elliot, Pete and Grace, and Pete and Natalie. It’s a family film that allows for quiet moments, for characters to simply exist and connect within their environment. This pacing and focus on character development gives the film a refreshing depth and sincerity.
Pete’s Dragon feels like a welcome throwback, reminiscent of the heartfelt family films of the 1970s, but elevated by modern filmmaking techniques and a richer narrative sensibility. It’s a film that evokes a sense of wonder and reminds us of the magic that can be found in the most unexpected places. It’s the kind of movie that resonates long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on belief, friendship, and the importance of seeing beyond the obvious. For those who cherish heartfelt storytelling and a touch of movie magic, Pete’s Dragon is a truly exceptional cinematic experience.
