‘Pan’ Flies into Blu-Ray

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

We all know the story of Peter Pan. Or do we? Pan is a re-imagined version of the little boy who wouldn’t grow up. Actually, it’s the beginning of his story.

Little baby Peter was left on the doorstep of a London orphanage. This story takes up twelve years later with Peter (Levi Miller) who is a nice little guy but is often up to some mischief. He has good intentions, but after all, who could be good all the time when surrounded by evil nuns? Then one by one the boys begin to vanish in the middle of the night. It’s the middle of World War II so it’s not a stretch to think they have been taken to safety. But when Peter is snatched, he discovers what is going on.

Peter and the other boys are whisked away by pirates on a flying ship. It manages to evade the fighter planes in the sky over London, and then flies up past the second star to the right. Yep. You guessed it. It lands in Neverland, a magical world filled with fairies, mermaids, and all the wonders with which we are familiar. But that’s not quite all the story.

Peter and the others must work in the mines. They were brought there to work for the ruthless pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman). They are mining for fairy dust. Peter is in for an awakening, as are viewers. This is not exactly the Neverland we know. First of all, Peter’s new friend is James Hook (Garrett Hedlund) who will eventually become Captain Hook. But for now he is really a good guy. Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara) is a trusted warrior who helps the fight against Blackbeard. Ultimately, viewers see the beginning of the boy we now know as the hero of Neverland – Peter Pan.

This is a magical story that adds another layer to viewers’ knowledge of Neverland. Is it all in Peter’s imagination? After all, he is definitely an imaginative little boy. It is a fantasy that fans of the little hero will embrace.

Besides the Blu-ray disc, the combo pack also includes DVD disc, Ultraviolet code, and several bonus features. For instance, a feature looks at the origins of the Peter Pan story from the time the boy first appeared in any story. Author J. M. Barrie first included Peter in a story called “The Little White Bird.” Then the orphan had his own story in the play “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.” From there this major literary character grew and grew and most of us simply know him from the Disney animated film.

Another bonus looks at the casting of Levi Miller who admits he was thrilled beyond belief to get the part of Peter. This was his first major role. A bonus feature focuses on ‘The Scoundrels of Neverland’ and all the characters who make up the nefarious side of the story. And the final bonus feature takes viewers on a tour of the locations in the film.

Pan is also available in a single-disc DVD that includes the bonus about casting Levi Miller. There is also a combo pack with a 3D disc.

Pan is rated PG for fantasy action violence, language, and some thematic elements.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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