I find myself in an interesting predicament regarding the remake of Pete's Dragon. Because unlike most other remakes that we have looked at during this event, Pete's Dragon is night and day from the original. The original is rather and loud and bombastic with a few quiet moments whereas the 2016 film is a quiet and somber film that is reflective of the situation that our main character finds himself in.
This can be seen in the design of both dragons.
The original Eliott looks a bit doofy in a playful sense but he's not bad. Whereas the new Eliott is adorable in his own way as he's more stoic and well furry. Director, David Lowery did this because he based the design of Elliot on his cats as he imagined having his cats be the size of a dragon would be really fun.
This also speaks to something else that Lowery did with this remake that truly lets the movie stand on its own.
Lowery wanted to avoid winks and nods to the original film, not because that film isn’t great, but because he wanted this version to exist in its own realm.
This is something that I appreciate and think helps the movie in many ways as it allows the movie to be more unique.
The Plot
Honestly, the plot in this remake doesn't matter that much as it's more about the journey of the characters. The film opens with a tragic car crash in 1976 that leaves Pete stranded and kills his two parents. An intense way to open the movie and it never leaves your mind as you are watching the movie.
The movie jumps forward to the early 80s and we see that Pete has been living in the forest where the car crash happened and fending for himself with only Eliott by his side. This is where the rest of the cast comes in as a lumberjack crew are chopping down trees near where Pete and Elliot live. Even though Park Ranger, Grace is too keen on this idea. And the daughter of the lumberjacks, who is more ethical spots Pete and from there, people work to reintegrate Pete back into society and he does make a friendship.
However, the head lumberjack spots Elliot and wants to use him to make money. Though the kids free Elliot, and Pete finds a new family. This movie is simple and beautiful. Let's move onto the cast.
Characters
Main Characters
Pete played by Oake Fegely
There's a tragic tinge to the remake's version of Pete. You know that people want to help him and they mean well but Pete doesn't know how to trust people as his parents were killed when he was only five. And he didn't know how old he was after all that time because he thought he was still five, five years after his parents passed away. Sure, he Elliott by his side but Pete never had any type of human interaction after his parents died. The original may have had an awful family but he still had human interaction. This version was homeless for the first five years of his life and that leads the question of what's worse, no family or a family that hates you? Yes, Pete wasn't a true family member in the original but it was something.
Elliott
This version of Elliott is less playful and more protective as seen when he scares off a bear that looked like it might attack Pete. Elliott in the original was a lovable goofball whereas here, he's stoic and would do anything to make sure Pete is safe. You can see him lose his will when the lumberjacks take him away from Pete and the other characters realize that he needs Pete.
Grace played by Bryce Dallas Howard
Before this movie, I had only seen Bryce Dallas Howard in Jurassic World and well, this is the better movie starring Howard with a giant creature. Howard like a lot of the cast delivers a quiet performance that is understanding what Pete is going through without going into the territory of trying to be a mother to Pete. She wants to help Pete and knows that he needs human interaction but she understands that she can't replace his parents.
Supporting Characters
Jack Magary played by Wes Bentley
Jack isn't a bad character and does do a lot to help and also Grace but he's one of the few characters that doesn't leave a lasting impression.
Mr. Meacham played by Robert Redford
It's Robert Redford, do I need to say anything else? This man is a legend and this movie shows damn well why he's a legend. Redford is so good in this movie as he is the heart of the movie. The best comparison here for him would be to Mickey Rooney's character in the original but while people laughed at him. That's not the case, sure they think it's funny but in a cute way and the kids eat up his stories of the dragon. He's more of the friendly grandfather that you feel like you can trust.
Natalie Magary played by Oona Laurence
Natalie is not just the annoying kid character that she could've been if this film were handled by someone else but instead she truly comes to care for Pete in a nonplatonic way, thankfully. And becomes the first friend that Pete makes that isn't a dragon. This is so important as she gets Pete to break out of his shell with a cute moment as measuring his height to figure out that he's ten.
Antagonist
Gavin Magary played by Karl Urban
Gavin isn't a bad guy per se, he's just misguided. You can see that when you compare him to his brother, Jack who is willing to help and do whatever it takes to make sure Pete and daughter are safe. Gavin, on the other hand, wants to do anything to make money and that is seen by how he takes Elliott and wants to use him to make money.
Is This A Good Remake?
Watch this movie! I cannot emphasize that enough, this movie deserves more love than it got when it was in theaters. This movie is so good while having that tragic tinge that I mentioned but that really works in the film's favor as it has also a hint of optimism. It might be fair to compare this movie to the original as they are so different but this is a case where the remake is so much better than what the original was going for. This is the best remake that Disney has released through this current glut of live-action remakes. Again as I said, watch this movie and you will not be disappointed. Join me next time as we look at my other favorite Disney remake...
Cinderella
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