Oh, Don’t Grow Up!

Even fairy tales can have sequels.

Return to Never Land, Walt Disney’s new animated feature film opening in Metro Manila on April 9, picks up the story a generation after the original Peter Pan. Wendy is now married with children; there’s a war going on in London and her husband is off to fight. Elder child Jane is serious and practical about her father’s parting admonition to look after younger brother Danny, and in that sort of world there is no room for fanciful imagination. And certainly not for mother Wendy’s stories of a magical Never Land.

But then along comes Captain Hook who kidnaps Jane–mistaking her for Wendy–and takes her to Never Land. Peter rescues Jane from the buccaneer’s clutches and tries to show her the wonders of Never Land, but the girl only wants to return to the realities of her home. Unfortunately for her, she’ll need to fly in order to return–and to fly, she’ll need to believe.

It’s therefore up to Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys to help Jane discover her childlike sense of joy and wonder, while Jane must look inward to find a means to believe. It’s an inner journey into Jane’s heart, where she discovers that a great many things are possible–with a little faith, trust...and pixie dust.

"The first film is about a little girl who is afraid to grow up, but learns that you needn’t give up your youth simply because you age," says co-director Donovan Cook. "In our sequel, Jane learns that you don’t have to turn your back on your youth in order to grow up and be responsible. It’s essentially the same lesson from two different directions."

This sequel to the 1953 Disney classic has most of the original’s cast of characters. True to their motto, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys have not grown up, and neither has the world’s most renowned pixie, Tinker Bell who, after all these years, still has her eye on Peter.

Age hasn’t mellowed Captain Hook either; he’s still as malevolent as his ever-faithful first mate Smee is befuddled. The tick-tocking crocodile yields its place to an enormous octopus, who ominously announces his arrival by popping his suction cups.

Creating a sequel to such a well-known and well-loved classic was a daunting challenge. "It was terrifying," admits director Robin Budd.

"You must ensure the film stays true to the tone and spirit of the original, while creating a fresh feeling–a feeling that audiences of today and tomorrow will appreciate," says Sharon Morill, Walt Disney executive in charge of the production.

The movie comes with a whole new score and a whole new set of songs by such a diverse group of artists as Jonatha Brooke, They Might Be Giants and BBMak, who sings the 1965 Lovin’ Spoonful’s hit, "Do You Believe in Magic".

The film’s ending was obviously a crucial element, one that offers resolution and hope for everyone. "I think we did the right thing,"says producer Christopher Chase. "Jane goes through this tremendous adventure, she learns something about herself, she comes home, and then her dad comes home–and you have a sense that her life is going to be better. It’s a nice, optimistic look toward the future."

"I think the theme is perfectly captured when Peter meets the grown-up Wendy," says Morill. "It’s a wonderful, nostalgic moment. It’s obvious to Peter–and the audience–that Wendy has never stopped believing. We have to keep magic and imagination alive in our children’s hearts, but that isn’t enough–I think it needs to burn brightly in all of us."