Peter Pan & Wendy Sheds New Light On Peter And Hook's Longtime Rivalry
This post contains spoilers for "Peter Pan & Wendy."
As most children, and people who were once children, know, the cornerstone of the world of Peter Pan lies in his connection to Neverland. And though that world can be a beautiful place, there are some villains within it too — namely Peter's infamous rival, Captain Hook. In David Lowery's new Disney live-action adaptation, "Peter Pan & Wendy," viewers get the full story on what ultimately led to their feud, something that audiences don't see in the original 1953 film.
In the original film, all the audience is told is that the two characters are enemies, but we're not given any other backstory. Interestingly enough, it turns out these two are actually, more than anything, frenemies in Lowery's adaptation. Allow me to explain.
The new movie takes us back to Hook's childhood days, when he lived in Neverland as a boy named James. He was also, you guessed it, close friends with Peter (Alexander Molony) while living there. The two children had an argument one day — and James unexpectedly left Neverland as a result.
What happens when you leave Neverland? Well, you grow up, and James grew up. He returned to Neverland years later as an adult, completely changed from the person he was as a boy. He had become bitter and more cynical than ever before.
Reframing the rivalry
Naturally, Peter being responsible for adult James (Jude Law) losing his hand to a crocodile complicated things even more, and a full-blown rivalry was born between them. That part has always been included in Peter's story, and until now, the loss of Hook's hand has been the backbone of their long-time dispute. But this expansion of both Peter and Hook's backstories opens up a whole new breadth of emotional touchstones for each character, deepening them both by default. It makes their conflict so much richer, having this storied history of friendship.
And when you think about it, that important bond between Peter and James makes their eventual squabble that much more heartbreaking. They had so many carefree experiences in pure childhood joy together — that's the whole reason to live in Neverland, after all — which is a surefire way to build a kinship with someone you connect with. They have such a history that it reframes every interaction these two characters have had throughout the story's lifespan. No longer is it a rivalry built on simple hatred, but a once-close connection fractured by anger, loss, and resentment.
It also makes the film's end both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Hook is touched by Peter's attempt to help him in the third act. He even tries to fly with Peter and the Lost Boys, but cannot, because he doesn't have any happy thoughts to think of since returning to Neverland as an adult. Peter and Hook's broken kinship —which in a way is the true center of this story — is a comment on how the loss of innocence can mar life's greatest gift: our bonds to one another.
"Peter Pan & Wendy" is now available to stream on Disney+.