After so many years it was not a surprise that the original charm and concept would not be captured the same way in its sequel. The animation was incredibly expressive and smooth, close to being top-notch in traditional animation at the time given it was animated by Walt Disney TV Animation.
The plot kept some beats that resonate with what Peter Pan and Neverland are all about: growing up. Themes like maturing, friendship, faith and imagination are explored again in this film only with new characters and a new backdrop (London Blitz period in WWII). But it's undeniable the frequent talking down to the more younger audiences instead of allowing them to learn the lessons by themselves.
Surprisingly, the plot had direction and a final goal with other subplots emerging from it that made sense most of the time. Nevertheless, these were not as engaging enough to keep the audience wondering if the protagonists were in danger at all.
IN CONCLUSION, the movie doesn't do many things wrong but rather stick to what it does well, it has varied and quirky characters, an endearing sequel effect with Wendy all grown up, fun and heartwarming messages for the younger audiences and original ideas like having a new enemy for Captain Hook or the background of the story with the father. But that's just it, the movie is just another adventure with similar beats from the first Peter Pan, it doesn't try to tell a new story just "reinvent the wheel". Also fans of the original work Disney's movie is based on might get angered by how little it reminisces the original spirit of the stories. Although by now it should be obvious that Disney's creations are but loosely-based adaptations of such tales so it shouldn't be judged harshly.
The plot kept some beats that resonate with what Peter Pan and Neverland are all about: growing up. Themes like maturing, friendship, faith and imagination are explored again in this film only with new characters and a new backdrop (London Blitz period in WWII). But it's undeniable the frequent talking down to the more younger audiences instead of allowing them to learn the lessons by themselves.
Surprisingly, the plot had direction and a final goal with other subplots emerging from it that made sense most of the time. Nevertheless, these were not as engaging enough to keep the audience wondering if the protagonists were in danger at all.
IN CONCLUSION, the movie doesn't do many things wrong but rather stick to what it does well, it has varied and quirky characters, an endearing sequel effect with Wendy all grown up, fun and heartwarming messages for the younger audiences and original ideas like having a new enemy for Captain Hook or the background of the story with the father. But that's just it, the movie is just another adventure with similar beats from the first Peter Pan, it doesn't try to tell a new story just "reinvent the wheel". Also fans of the original work Disney's movie is based on might get angered by how little it reminisces the original spirit of the stories. Although by now it should be obvious that Disney's creations are but loosely-based adaptations of such tales so it shouldn't be judged harshly.