Peter Pan (DVD, 2007, Platinum Edition, 2-Disc Set)

I've seen Disney's Peter Pan in the movies (late 50s re-release), on video, laserdisc and its first DVD incarnation. Technically, Disney has topped itself by restoring the feature to a clarity and richness of colors I've never seen before. They've also made this release two discs but kept it at a suggested price of about $20. The story mixes adventure, suspense, action, and a great deal of humor, some of it very subtle. When we first see Peter Pan on Wendy's roof, his face is in darkness. When Tinkerbell's light reveals the bottom half of his face, the top half, still shadowed, looks like the mask of a rascally burgler. Later, when Wendy sings "Your Mother and Mine," the camera captures the rapt faces of the boys as they listen. The teddy bear's head is tilted to one side as if it too is captivated by the music. Even the pirates are starting to sob as they evesdrop, andCaptain Hook's stooge, Smeed, is bawling as he lifts his shirt to reveal a "Mother" tatoo. It's this great mixture of comic timing and charm that make the movie work. Another reviewer said the movie is sexist because Tinkerbell and the mermaids try to hurt Wendy. But it's jealousy caused by Wendy's attention to Peter Pan. Wendy is never in actual danger. Actually, she's assertive. She makes the first move to kiss Peter, then walks away in a huff, refusing to gather firewood as ordered by an Indian "Squaw" when Tiger Lilly gives Peter a smooch that makes him as red as the "Red Man." (Trivia note: The voice of the bullying Indian woman is that of June Foray, better known for her vocal contributions on "Rocky and Bullwinkle."). The charge of racism can't be avoided in the case of the Indian characterizations. (Indians don't even appear in the Peter Pan sequel, "Return to Neverland," made in our PC age.) The movie uses stereotypes, but in context, it was made at a time when our country was more ignorant or innocent. However, the Indians aren't evil like Captain Hook and his men. Hook, one of the great Disney villains, is alternately arrogant and cowardly, wily and gullible, and desperately afraid of the voracious crocodile, who swallows Hook a number of times in the film but can't keep a bad pirate down. Hook isn't above trying to stab Peter Pan in the back (more than once). Hook won't spare children, or his own men, casually firing a shot over his shoulder to silence an accordian playing tar. And notice how the loyal, ever-suffering Smeed loads up his belongings and a bag of gold to sneak away by rowboat when Peter Pan and the kids are clearly winning the day. In the end, Peter Pan isn't about Pirates, Indians or Mermaids. It's about the magic of childhood and believing in fairies, kids flying, staying young and having fun with your friends. Even Wendy's dour father warms at the sight of the flying ship and hugs his wife and daughter as he says, "I remember seeing a ship like that. A long time ago, when I was a boy." (Question: Since pixie dust lets you fly when you think happy thoughts, why was the pirate ship able to fly? It's inanimate! (Oh well, I never questioned why Mickey Mouse could talk.) After you've seen the movie, go to disc 2 for a fascinating special about the making and evolution of Peter Pan. The project took years to develop and sketches show how the depictions of characters changed. There's also a segment with Walt Disney himself, the man who brought his boyish sense of wonder to millions of youngsters. Peter Pan was, and remains, a Disney classic.