Other moments similar to that land better, though. When talking with Tinker Bell, Peter’s upset as he’s asking for help and all Tink gave him was some “fairy dust to sell.” That is a creative and amusing way of bringing that fantastical element of the original story into this show’s gritty realism. Heck, even the whole flying angle works later on. After initiating Peter, the Lost Boys decide to leave that particular area, with their leader saying something along the lines of, “Alright Lost Boys, let’s fly.” (That might be a bit paraphrased, but the line is close to that). It’s a much more effective use of the well-known mode of traveling Peter Pan uses than the moment with Tiger Lily.
R.L. Allman (aka Ronnie Allman) directs with a whimsical style that does not betray the setting’s gritty urban environment, nor the serious issues brought up in the plot. It’s a delicate balancing act, as going too serious would make the project morose, sullen, and hard to invest in. But, moving too far into the chimerical nature of Barrie’s original would mean that the tone and production art would be at total odds with one another. Allman finds the right balance, mainly through the creative use of animation and the beautiful cinematography courtesy of Evan Weidenkeller. Paint from a spray can, the exhaust from Pan’s Shadow (his motorcycle), and other elements throughout are animated to bring that extra bit of life and fantasy to the proceedings. It works perfectly.
“…directs with a whimsical style that does not betray the setting’s gritty urban environment…”
Speaking of perfect, Allman has assembled a fun, energetic cast, all of whom are likable and really make you feel for their characters. Well, save for Tripp and Flores, who prove fun to hate as the villains.
The first episode of R.L. Allman’s Peter Pan is an absolute slamdunk. It’s very well directed, has engaging characters, an intriguing plot, and is a bold, creative reimagining that pays tribute to the original in clever ways. While not each of those ways feels totally natural, that is a minor problem overall, which barely hurts this episode’s enjoyment factor. I genuinely cannot wait to watch the other episodes as soon as possible.
R.L. Allman’s Peter Pan screened at the 2020 Dances with Films.
"…I genuinely cannot wait to watch the other episodes as soon as possible."
