Pete’s Dragon

2016  PG  FANTASY  1h 42min

CAST— Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, Oona Laurence, Robert Redford

MUSIC— Daniel Hart  DIRECTOR— David Lowery

     For those in the mood for a rehash of Disney sing-song foolery, their hopes may be shattered. This is a remake that forsakes slapstick for sentiment, but it’s not all bad. After the death of his parents at an early age, young Pete spends the subsequent years in the care of (and caring for), of all things, a dragon. Legends have been told for generations about a fearsome, mythical beast living deep in the forest, but legends are just that. Truth be told the dragon (whom Pete has named Elliott) is a gentle giant, a loving creature who can melt your heart with a wistful gaze (or with his fierce fire-breath, but that’s a different story). Pete is discovered by a caring Forest Ranger (Bryce Dallas Howard), who takes him into her home, hoping to uncover his origins. And though his origins be tragic Howard is confident that Pete can embrace a warm future. And then there’s the side story about the obligatory jerks who wanna capture Elliott for monetary gain, which all leads to pretty much as happy an ending that one could hope for for a movie about a furry green dragon who can become invisible. The only thing missing is a big mop of pink cartoon hair (not really). Sometimes sappy but otherwise fairly well done.

OUR RATING— ** ½

ORIGINAL— Pete’s Dragon (1977)