The Englishman Joe Wright in 2014 began to film the story of Peter Pan, which is a prequel to the famous book of James Barry. He involved the writer Jason Fewks and such Hollywood stars as Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried and Rooney Mara. However, the viewer knows that a brilliant cast and interesting idea is only half the success.
“Peng: A Journey to Netlandia”: The Story
The slogan of the film says that each legend has its own beginning. Joe Wright decided to tell the audience about what happened before the events of the famous book.
On the steps of a London children's shelter, a woman leaves a basket with a baby in which she puts a farewell note. Twelve years pass by. Europe is in the grip of World War II. The boy grew up and everyone knows him as Peter Pan. Children disappear from the shelter in which he is brought up. Together with friends, Peter suspects the nun in whose care they are in theft of food. Together with friends, Peter sneaks into her room and finds there not only rations, but also documents for each child from the shelter, as well as gold. A woman has long been in collusion with Captain Blackbeard. She sells children, sending them to a faraway, fabulous country - Netland, which is outside of time and space. In it, children will become slaves of the Black Beard and will work in the mines. Peter has a dangerous journey and many amazing acquaintances, including with Hook and the Dinh Fairy.
Miller as Peter Pan
Peter Pan is one of the most popular characters for children's books in the 20th century. The story of a boy who never wanted to grow up was invented by Scottish writer James Barry. She was repeatedly filmed, filmed series, staged musicals and performances based on her motives.
In the film, Joe Wright, the role of Peter was played by the young Australian actor Levy Miller, who at that time was 13 years old. Before that, he already had to act in films and TV shows, but this project became the largest and brought fame. It's no secret that the prototype of Pan is Michael Davis. He was one of the sons of the Davis couple, with whom James Barry was friends. It is impossible not to note a certain external similarity between Levy Miller and Davis.
Garrett Hedlund as James Hook
In the story of D. Barry, the antagonist of the protagonist is James Hook. A cruel and inhuman character who has a sharp iron hook instead of his right hand. Wright’s film is a prequel, he talks about how Peter met the future sinister captain. The role of the young Hook was played in the film “Peng: Journey to Netlandia” (2015) by actor Garrett John Hedlund. The young American is more familiar to viewers in the epic historical drama “Troy” and the science fiction film “Tron: Legacy”. In 2017, another very successful film with his participation was released - “Madbound Farm”.
Hugh Jackman - Blackbeard
In the book, the character Blackbeard is missing. To introduce it into the plot of the first film about Peter Pan is the idea of scriptwriters and directors. The prototype was the legendary pirate Edward Teach, who hunted robberies in the Caribbean in 1713-1718. Golden Globe and Emmy laureate Hugh Jackman got the role of a robber in the film Peng: Journey to Netlandia (2015). Actors often have to change beyond recognition for the sake of a character, and make-up artists work for hours on their images. Jackman in the film can easily not be recognized. Blackbeard in his performance is a rather colorful character with an unusual and repulsive appearance. The role was offered to Javier Bardem, but he refused.
Rooney Mara, Amanda Seyfried and Cara Delevingne
Three Hollywood divas played fairy-tale characters. During a trip to Netland, Peter meets an Aboriginal tribe and meets with their leader’s daughter, Tiger Lily, played by American actress Rooney Mara, who was familiar to the audience from her brilliant acting in the films The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Carol.
British actress and top model Cara Delevingne played the mythological sea virgin, which saves Peter, who fell into the river, from crocodiles. In 2017, the viewer could see the actress in the film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Former model, and now famous Hollywood actress Amanda Seyfred appears on the screen in passing. She plays the role of mother of Peter Pan - Mary. The viewer hears her voice at the very beginning of the tape and sees several episodes with her participation in the future.
The film "Peng: Journey to Netlandia" (2015) - minor cast
Less well-known, but still interesting actors in the supporting roles. The angry and greedy mother Barnabas was played by the Englishwoman Katie Burke, the bishop - Nonso Anosi, the accomplice of Hook Mr. Media - Adil Akhtar, Nibsa - Lewis McDougall, Dobkins - Scottish actor Jack Loudin.
Critic reviews
The premiere date of the tape was postponed several times, as a result, the film was released in wide distribution in October 2015. He was a failure in terms of box office and barely recouped spent on the creation of $ 150 million. There is also the merit of film critics who smashed the picture of Joe Wright to smithereens. According to the Rotten Tomatoes website, its ranking is only 24% based on reviews from critics and 41% based on viewers reviews.
“Peng: Traveling to Netland,” according to Rolling Stone correspondent and critic, is a dull and boring movie. The idiocy of the plot tilts him to the port side, but worse is that everything else is rapidly pulling him to the bottom. The plot twists and joyless jokes do not even captivate children, to say nothing of adults, but ripples in their eyes ripple from the frantically moving on-screen extras in colorful costumes.
There were those who liked the film Peng: A Journey to Netlandia (2015). Actors, soundtrack, camera work, according to them, are at their best. Although the plot was completely invented by the scriptwriters and D. Barry is not related to the textbook, it is interesting and fascinating. Some critics noted the good game of Miller, who, being a beginner and staying in the company with more experienced actors, showed his talent for all ten points.