Pete's Dragon (2016, 2D)

Plot: Pete's parents are killed in a car accident in the forest, and only Pete (Oakes Fegley) survives. Lucky for him he is found by a big, friendly dragon named Elliot. 5-year-old Pete lives in the woods for 5 years with Elliot, when he is found by Natalie (Oona Laurance) and her forest ranger Mom Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard). Back in town, Pete doesn't like civilization and worries about Elliot. Pete's fears are realized when Elliot gets discovered by some lumbermen. A few plot twists later there is a happy ending.  [imdb]    [photos]

The photo on the German poster better captures the mood. 

Review: This is a younger child's movie without much cross-over appeal for adults. It is relentlessly sincere, and I admire that because jaded, winking sarcasm is too common in pop culture, and even in kid's movies.

For someone like myself, Pete's Dragon was painfully slow moving, and I let myself doze off.

Bryce Dallas Howard had the best performance and was the heart of the movie. Robert Redford didn't add anything. Often child actors aren't gifted enough to carry a subtle story, and Oakes didn't measure up, though Oona showed us meaningful facial expressions. 

Cast: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard

Directed by: Dave Lowery -- his first effort at directing a movie. 

The Music: The music carries the mood during the vast wordless sequences. OK, but not stirring.

The Visuals: Great animation of the hair on Elliot. For the most part, he looked like he really was in the forest. There was a scene where he was flying into the sun, and the dragon looked like he was pasted on a photograph, but mostly it was good. The dragon's had big-eyed stare that was supposed to be friendly and heart warming like a friendly puppy, but went on too long until the illusion of face breaks down into a collection of stuff-animal parts. 

Rating: 1 star: though a kid under ten might like it. 

More: Reminds me so much of The Never Ending Story, especially the furry doglike flying dragon.

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