Pete's Dragon
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VHS Movie Reviews of Pete's Dragon
Movie Review: One of the Best in Disneydom
Summary: 5 Stars
Woefully underrated, 'Pete's Dragon' surpasses many other Disney classics because the plotline and characters are completely original, and every single song (10 in all) is terrific. I can still sing them all. (Compare them with some of the inane ballads in 'Pocahontas' and 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.')
The story follows the escape of an orphan, Pete, from his abusive adoptive "family," aided by the dragon who has arrived, seemingly from nowhere, to rescue him. Elliot is childlike, cheery, and bumbling (or so it seems); however, the sheer physical size and flaming breath that make him a formidable protector also make him a social handicap when Pete tries to blend in in the coastal town of Passamaquoddy. (The invisible dragon stumbles through wet cement, obliviously takes down fences and other structures with his tail, etc., making Pete the bane of the town.)
If you or your child has extremely delicate sensibilities, you may want to preview this movie or bypass it altogether. Lampie is a drunk. In the same tradition as Lemony Snicket, Harry Potter, and the Roald Dahl books, 'Pete's Dragon' features cruel, uncaring parent figures and other adults with intent to harm. Even the schoolteacher seems to hate kids. I'm not sure if it was legal in the early 1900s to purchase an orphan, but that's the premise here. Two of the songs include graphic descriptions of physical violence--the Gogan family sing about beating Pete when they reclaim custody, and the evil Doctor Terminus and his sidekick sing about cutting up Elliot to make potions out of his parts--that could upset some very protective parents. The songs are NOT gratuitous, though, and serve to underscore the danger these characters are in.
Their cruelty IS offset by the two caring, capable adults, Lampie and Nora. (My favorite scene is Nora putting herself between Pete and the Gogans, who have come to town in pursuit of their purchase, the "bill of sale" in hand.)
The cast is flawless, and the movie is consistently engaging from beginning to end. Morals and themes include standing up for others, accepting others' differences, making room for newcomers, and having faith in discouraging circumstances.
Movie Review: Great movie for all ages!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is such a wonderful movie. I have a 2 and a 4 year old. They watch this over and over. We love the songs---and it's a wholesome movie. Highly recommended!!!! Great present too.Movie Review: Great Classic Movie!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Even though this was made so many years ago, my kids (1 and 3) love seeing Pete interact with Elliot throughout the movie. The songs are wonderful as well and they often sing along! I will admit, the people at the very beginning of the movie are scary looking, which I choose to skip until they get a little older.Movie Review: wonderful family movie!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
this movie was a great movie!!! my children and i have watched it already a few times :) It got to my house in a timely fashion also.Movie Review: um.... Roast him gently so the flames won't hurt?
Summary: 3 Stars
As a child I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and watched it so many times that the tape wore out. Watching it now I realize that although it is a good movie it is a bit too long for a children's movie. I also won't purchase it as some of the songs are just a but much... as a previous reviewer pointed out the lyrics to one of the opening songs just don't fly in my house. "Gonna snag him, gag him, drag him through town. Put his head in the river, let the pup drown, Trap him, strap him, wrap him in a sack. Yeah! Tie him screaming to a railroad track. Gonna paw him, claw him, saw him in half, When he cries out for mercy we'll just laugh, Beat him, heat him, eat him for dessert. Yeah! Roast him gently so the flames won't hurt." And having to explain intoxication to a small child just isn't my cup of tea. It is a fun movie otherwise, and I'll probably borrow it again when the kids are older and and just fast forward through that particular song. Because of this I can only rate it 3 stars, and not the 4 I would otherwise give it.