Pete's Dragon - Parental Guide | Is This Movie Suitable

Pete’s Dragon – When family tragedy strikes, 5-year-old Pete finds himself alone and lost deep in the woods, far from home. Surrounded by dangers, Pete discovers a new friend in the shape of a large dragon whom he names Elliot. Years later, Pete is discovered by the local townspeople and while he is reluctant to leave his home, he feels the pull of a family environment but with Elliot following him, not understanding why he has left, the secrecy surrounding the dragon’s existence is put at risk…

Pete’s Dragon (2016) – Director: David Lowery

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Rating: PG

Running Length: 102 mins

Starring: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard, Karl Urban

Genre: Action / Adventure, Fantasy

REVIEW: ‘PETE’S DRAGON’

Continuing to remake all of their classics, Disney’s reboot of ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (the 1977 part live-action, part animated musical) was an unusual choice when perhaps more popular ‘princess’ or animal-based movies may have been the expected route for the initial crop of stories to re-tell. And while the original had an upbeat feel to it, this time around it is a decidedly more sombre affair. With Pete’s adventure beginning with the deaths of his loving parents and his quickly getting lost in the woods, the tone is set for a children’s drama which has surprisingly little light relief. Of course, that doesn’t make it a bad movie, it is perfectly enjoyable, however the story is different (and therefore likely disappointing for fans of the original) and, truth be told, a little bland.

Whilst ‘Pete’s Dragon’ doesn’t do anything particularly unexpected and has rather stock characters, it benefits from great performances who hold the attention and make up the believable townsfolk that suddenly find a feral child and his dragon in their midst. Robert Redford’s twinkle-eyed grandfather brings the gravitas, surrogate mother figure Grace (Howard) exudes warmth and concern, whereas Gavin’s (Urban) disbelief, fear, struggle for control, and ultimate attempt to profit adds in the antagonism. On the younger side, Natalie (played by Oona Laurence) is friendly without being oddly so in her connection with Pete (Oakes Fegley). Fegley carries the film well and, most importantly, he is likeable. He does struggle to hold attention when the adult characters are on-screen but more due to their experience winning out.

Named ‘Elliot’ by Pete, the dragon is comparable to a dog in behaviour. It bounds around the forest spring-boarding off trees and gallivanting around with friendly abandon. But once Pete is returned (unwillingly) to human civilisation, Elliot goes on an emotion journey which is impressively done for an animated non-human character. From loss, to longing, through anger and rejection. Certainly the Pete / dragon relationship is strong and, although predictable, is genuine enough to make it work.

While this version of ‘Pete’s Dragon’ may not be the film that was expected, it is entertaining and watchable and with predictable characters that follow tried and tested formulae, the audience knows exactly what it’s getting.

CONTENT: IS ‘PETE’S DRAGON’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

The movie opens with a family driving, saying that they are far from home. The car suddenly crashes and ends up in some woods. The young child survives and can be heard crying. No bodies are seen but it is strongly implied that both of the child’s parents have been killed in the accident. The child is soon surrounded by snarling wolves and the child is afraid and in danger for around 30 seconds until another animal turns up and scares the wolves away.

After Elliot (the friendly dragon) has been introduced, a man tells a story to some kids about how he once killed one. He holds a knife, with the tip of the blade resting on a table and says that during the fight, he stabbed it and ‘drove (the knife) home’.

While running around and having fun with Elliot, Pete runs at full speed towards a cliff and, without any hesitation, jumps off the edge. Elliot flies down and catches Pete, carrying him up into the air. We mention this due to potentially being imitable. Later in the movie, Pete is seen to stick his head and shoulders out of a moving vehicle.

A young girl follows Pete when she catches sight of him in the woods. She quickly gets lost and is alone; as she snuck away from the adults she was with, no-one knows where she is. This does not take a sinister turn but parents may be concerned about children being tempted to follow someone or something into an isolated area.

Elliot is heard making noises in the woods by several men, one of them cocks his rifle and says to the others, ‘Let’s go hunting’. They follow the sounds into the woods and intend to kill Elliot (without realising what he is) but as Elliot can become invisible at will, they are unable to catch him.

In quite an upsetting scene that lasts for a few minutes, Elliot is discovered and is shot with numerous tranquilisers. He becomes angry and distressed, attempting to escape and his ‘friends’ get very upset, begging his attackers to stop and scream at Elliot to get away.

Three major characters fall from a high bridge and disappear through a cloud of mist. Around 30 tense seconds go by where loved ones become upset and anxiously wait to find out if they have survived.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘PETE’S DRAGON’ FOR KIDS?

Disney’s ‘Pete’s Dragon’ is most certainly for kids and with its wondrous fantastical elements is bound to have plenty of enjoyable scenes to engross kids, however its subdued tone and relatively slow pace may ultimately make it too dull for a lot of younger children to focus on all the way through. Because of this, we feel this movie is most appropriate for ages 6 and up although some parental reassurance may be needed for some of the more upsetting scenes.

Violence: 1/5 (little violence is shown on-screen although kids may be upset that a character wishes to hunt and kill Elliot)
Emotional Distress: 1/5 (Pete’s upset at the loss of his parents at such a young age is emotional but short-lived. The scene where Elliot is captured is quite prolonged and distressing)
Fear Factor: 1/5 (Pete being surrounded by aggressive wolves at the beginning of the movie is quite scary)
Sexual Content: 0/5
Bad Language: 0/5
Dialogue: 1/5
Other Notes: Deals with themes of parental loss, a feral child, profiteering, hunting for enjoyment, belief in the fantastical, adoption, friendship and protecting the vulnerable.

Words by Laura Record

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