Pete's Dragon (2016)
4 Stars out of 5
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPOamb6d_20
I totally forgot about the Reboot of Pete's Dragon. It was on my radar when the trailer originally dropped and then it was off my radar. It wasn't until last week that the movie just popped into my head for whatever reason. So, I put my hold for the movie at my Library and it arrived yesterday. Just watched it. But before I get to my thoughts on the flick, I have to say that I'm a big fan of the original 1977 version. Yup, cartoon and musical and all. I grew up watching that flick and as sappy and saccharine as it was, I still loved it. So, naturally I was very curious about what exactly what we were going to get here. How much of the reboot would take from the original? How much would they deviate and tell a different story? I will say this, when I got my hands on the DVD and saw the cover art, I was somewhat disappointed in what Elliot looked like. I was expecting, practically hoping he would be more sinister in appearance like a typical dragon, which itself would lend credence to the Towns people being terrified and acting irrationally or based on what I just said...rationally.
With that said, as the movie played on, his design did make more sense for the movie and story they were actually telling. Elliot grew on me. As for the movie itself, I was surprised at how much I liked it. I saw a lot of different influences from Tarzan / The Jungle Book and E.T. carving out a big debt of gratitude here. It's a good movie to sit down with the family and watch together. I can definitely recommend this as a Rent. I'd watch this again if I caught it on TV channel surfing. 4 Stars out of 5. I like it. But it's still nowhere near close to the 1977 Version IMO. I do however liked the ending they cooked up for the Reboot. I never liked the ending of the Original where Pete and Elliot say their goodbyes and go their separate ways. It's changed for the Reboot and for the better because of it.