Return to Neverland film review

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RETURN TO NEVERLAND

Watching this animated sequel to Disney's Peter Pan, one word immediately came to mind: why. Why did Disney choose to tamper with their charming 1953 original version of JM Barrie's best loved children's tale? Why did the film not debut on video, where so many animated sequel make their bow? At the end of the day, the only answer I can come up with is money.

Return to Never Land recouped its estimated $20 million budget within the first two weeks on release in America. International box office is likely to be equally brisk, and when you factor in video sales, the film is going to set tills ringing for many months to come.

The sequel is set many years after the original, during the air raids of World War II.

Wendy has grown up, married a dashing soldier (currently away fighting against the Germans) and raised two children: Jane and Danny. Surrounded by the death and devastation of the blitz, Jane refuses to believe in her mother's wonderful stories of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. She certainly won't entertain the thought of fairies.

However, she soon learns the truth when dastardly Captain Hook kidnaps her from her bed and spirits her away to Never Land.

Hook is still searching for his missing treasure, and he hopes that by abducting Jane (who he initially mistakes for Wendy), he can persuade Peter to reveal its whereabouts. It's not long before Peter, Tinkerbell and the gang are on the captain's trail, determined to rescue poor Jane.

However, in order to escape and fly back to her home in London, Jane must truly believe in fairies, and that might just be asking for the moon.

Return To Never Land revisits many of the characters from the 1953 original, and replaces the tick-tocking crocodile with a bright orange octopus.

The plot unfolds as you'd expect, with few surprises or twists, and the music is suitably twinkly (like fairy dust) and forgettable. Vocal performances are adequate, but even Burton, who should have had a field day with his moustache-twiddling villain, is merely passable.

It's certainly not offensive and will probably entertain very small viewers, but next to the likes of Shrek, Monsters, Inc. and other recent animations, Return To Never Land is severely lacking in good humour and universal appeal.

Wait until the film comes out on DVD, where it truly belongs.