It can be said that the 2003 live-action film is the most faithful adaptation of Barrie's play and later novel. Indeed, it has many things from the novel that weren't in other film adaptations, like Hook's hook being on the right hand, Peter Pan wearing leaves instead green clothes resembling leaves, Wendy being the central character, etc. And it updated several things to be more acceptable in 21st century, such as Tiger Lily being portrayed as a more active player and played by an indigenous person, or Wendy being independent and proactive in battle rather than being a surrogate mother for the Lost Boys and Peter. This leads us to the film's greatest strength and weakness: Peter and Wendy's relationship.
Without a doubt, this Peter and Wendy's relationship is the most developed of all adaptations of Peter Pan. It's actually has better claim to the notion of Peter and Wendy being equals than Disney's live action remake in 2023. There's no Captain Hook's backstory with Peter competing for Wendy's screentime with Peter or rushed pacing. This 2003 film makes Peter and Wendy's dynamic the central focus of the story, with Hook being the devil that tries to drive them apart with harsh truth and deceptive lies. Namely that Wendy cannot live in Neverland and will grow up with or without Peter, and Peter is refusing to accept he has feelings for Wendy. It's compelling, star-crossed tale of love... that feels like it needs a different ending from the book. And I think I know why I feel this way.
Peter Pan has a character arc. Namely an arc of realizing his feelings for Wendy. And said-character arc is a sign of growth or maturity. And that is something that Peter Pan as a whole cannot represent. Peter Pan in the novel is a Static Character with some Fair Folk morality thrown in. He can act selfish and is very callous in his desire for adventures and games, but he always play fair and does allow Wendy and co. return back to their parents, even going as far as letting the Lost Boys go with them. It's not because he learned anything, but rather that he's a Jerk with a Heart of Gold from beginning to end, and it's the riddle of his being. It's also why he genuinely cannot comprehend the romantic affection from Wendy and can only see her as a motherly figure. It's the price of never growing up. To remain a child forever, he has to be oblivious of things that would make Not Growing Up Sucks, even if it subconsciously roils inside of him. This is why Wendy is able to move on without him, and Peter doesn't feel hurt about it until he literally sees her all grown up years later.
But this Peter is not only NOT oblivious to Wendy's romantic feelings, but he put so much thought on the matter that it literally pulls him down as an unhappy thought. He cannot stand the idea of Wendy leaving, growing up and then picking a husband as her partner instead of being with him. His innocence is robbed by Hook's words, sending him into despair and it's only by the thimble/hidden kiss from Wendy does he regain the strength to defeat Hook once and for all. The ultimate happy thought, that he loves Wendy... and she loves him back. And had it not been for the mythos embedded into the Peter Pan franchise and books, it would have been likely that the story would have ended Peter finally staying with Wendy to grow up with her instead of going back to Neverland.
Yet alas, the movie wants to be a faithful adaptation to the book and so Peter inexplicably going back to Neverland despite having a character arc of understanding the love between him and Wendy, and then the narration of adult Wendy saying she never Peter again (despite the whole deleted scene of the Epilogue with Jane). The film simply felt incomplete, begging for a sequel that would never happen. It actually gives credibility the rumors that this film was originally meant to be a Hook prequel since you can buy that this Peter will eventually choose to grow up just like Robin Williams' Peter Banning. Overall, it remains as one of the best Peter Pan adaptations to watch, but it's also one asks if film adaptations should continue following the traditional story told in play and novel... or take full liberties and go full Not His Sled for a more compelling story.
Film Peter Pan - Paradox of Character Growth...
It can be said that the 2003 live-action film is the most faithful adaptation of Barrie's play and later novel. Indeed, it has many things from the novel that weren't in other film adaptations, like Hook's hook being on the right hand, Peter Pan wearing leaves instead green clothes resembling leaves, Wendy being the central character, etc. And it updated several things to be more acceptable in 21st century, such as Tiger Lily being portrayed as a more active player and played by an indigenous person, or Wendy being independent and proactive in battle rather than being a surrogate mother for the Lost Boys and Peter. This leads us to the film's greatest strength and weakness: Peter and Wendy's relationship.
Without a doubt, this Peter and Wendy's relationship is the most developed of all adaptations of Peter Pan. It's actually has better claim to the notion of Peter and Wendy being equals than Disney's live action remake in 2023. There's no Captain Hook's backstory with Peter competing for Wendy's screentime with Peter or rushed pacing. This 2003 film makes Peter and Wendy's dynamic the central focus of the story, with Hook being the devil that tries to drive them apart with harsh truth and deceptive lies. Namely that Wendy cannot live in Neverland and will grow up with or without Peter, and Peter is refusing to accept he has feelings for Wendy. It's compelling, star-crossed tale of love... that feels like it needs a different ending from the book. And I think I know why I feel this way.
Peter Pan has a character arc. Namely an arc of realizing his feelings for Wendy. And said-character arc is a sign of growth or maturity. And that is something that Peter Pan as a whole cannot represent. Peter Pan in the novel is a Static Character with some Fair Folk morality thrown in. He can act selfish and is very callous in his desire for adventures and games, but he always play fair and does allow Wendy and co. return back to their parents, even going as far as letting the Lost Boys go with them. It's not because he learned anything, but rather that he's a Jerk with a Heart of Gold from beginning to end, and it's the riddle of his being. It's also why he genuinely cannot comprehend the romantic affection from Wendy and can only see her as a motherly figure. It's the price of never growing up. To remain a child forever, he has to be oblivious of things that would make Not Growing Up Sucks, even if it subconsciously roils inside of him. This is why Wendy is able to move on without him, and Peter doesn't feel hurt about it until he literally sees her all grown up years later.
But this Peter is not only NOT oblivious to Wendy's romantic feelings, but he put so much thought on the matter that it literally pulls him down as an unhappy thought. He cannot stand the idea of Wendy leaving, growing up and then picking a husband as her partner instead of being with him. His innocence is robbed by Hook's words, sending him into despair and it's only by the thimble/hidden kiss from Wendy does he regain the strength to defeat Hook once and for all. The ultimate happy thought, that he loves Wendy... and she loves him back. And had it not been for the mythos embedded into the Peter Pan franchise and books, it would have been likely that the story would have ended Peter finally staying with Wendy to grow up with her instead of going back to Neverland.
Yet alas, the movie wants to be a faithful adaptation to the book and so Peter inexplicably going back to Neverland despite having a character arc of understanding the love between him and Wendy, and then the narration of adult Wendy saying she never Peter again (despite the whole deleted scene of the Epilogue with Jane). The film simply felt incomplete, begging for a sequel that would never happen. It actually gives credibility the rumors that this film was originally meant to be a Hook prequel since you can buy that this Peter will eventually choose to grow up just like Robin Williams' Peter Banning. Overall, it remains as one of the best Peter Pan adaptations to watch, but it's also one asks if film adaptations should continue following the traditional story told in play and novel... or take full liberties and go full Not His Sled for a more compelling story.