PETE’S DRAGON (2016) Review
Directed by David Lowery
A live-action remake of the 1977 musical film of the same title, Pete’s Dragon is a story we tell our children, has a heart and a lesson. It’s a classic Disney property which aims to entertain and also adds values to its story that the whole family would enjoy and love.
After a tragic car accident with his family, Pete is left all alone in the forest, or is he? With wild animals lurking around, Pete has found himself a friend, which happens to be a green fire-breathing dragon which he named Elliot. For years, the two became friends or more like a family, having no one but each other in their everyday living. Until one day Grace Meacham (Bryce Dallas Howard) wanders where Pete and Elliot (what he named his dragon) was at the moment, started a new journey for Pete and his dragon.
It’s a classic story of humans meet something big and different and they automatically react as if it’s a prize for them. But there are also good people who wanted to protect it, wanted it to live peacefully, far from the dangers of other humans. Pete’s Dragon excels because of the heart of its story, Pete. The innocence of the character and his pure heart envelops the film in a sweet and moving journey of friendship and family.
Even though the main characters are big (dragon), the film feels like a little town story. One that travels through gossips and words of the old people where we find it hard to believe but is still amazed by the events in the story had gone. It’s one of those rewarding movie experience where you get to witness something big, a fantasy but still feels close to the heart.
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
“Pete’s Dragon” opens September 7, 2016 in Philippine cinemas from Walt Disney Studios. Rated PG by the MTRCB.