Peter Pan: Growing up, Captain Hook and The Bomb

Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up. A story of a young boy who whisks away three children to Neverland on a journey which they will never forget. They come across mermaids, pirates, Indians and set to fly a pirate ship home. Walt Disney made this a classic film with some unforgettable songs and characters making it one of his greatest movies. In the end of the original tale Peter tries to bar Wendy from returning to her own home, he sees her mother distressed so instead leaves the window open for Wendy. Mrs Darling adopts the lost boys but Peter refuses as he is scared, ‘they will catch him and make him a man,’ so he flies back to Neverland. He brings Wendy every year for a spring clean and returns her home. He eventually forgets about Captain Hook, Tinkerbell and the lost boys. Two very different endings.

A few scenes from the Disney movie bring a slight dose of fear to its audiences.

1. Growing Up

2. Captain Hook

3. The Bomb

1. Growing Up

The main theme of Peter Pan is growing up. It’s a frightening prospect for all of the characters, especially Peter. Early on in the movie when Michael, John and Wendy are playing, their father exclaims, “the child’s growing up. It’s high time she had a room of her own!” the children argue but he snaps back, “I mean it! Young lady, this is your last night in the nursery! And that’s my last word on the matter!” This frightens Wendy and she says to her mother, “I don’t want to grow up,” Wendy doesn’t want to admit she’s growing up and has responsibilities. Poor Wendy.

2. Captain Hook

Captain Hook. Peter Pan's arch nemesis. Peter chopped his left hand off in a fight and fed it to a hungry crocodile, since then Captain Hook sought revenge on Peter Pan. Though just a children’s movie Peter Pan plays with the theme of death in quite a comical manner. Captain Hook shoots one of his crew for singing off key. Hook rolls his eyes, shoots him and we hear the man splash into the water. Poor soul.

Later on, he finds Princes Tiger Lily and takes her to Skull Rock where he holds her hostage in order to find out where Peter’s lair is. She doesn’t tell him. In fact, she doesn’t say a word in the entire movie. She nearly drowns but Peter manages to save her in time. Hook nearly lets Tiger Lily die. What a villain.

Later on, Hook finds Tinkerbell and captures her, throws her in a lantern and threatens her. Though Tinkerbell doesn’t play a speaking role Hook still manages to get the information he wants. As soon as Tinkerbell overhears Hooks plan, she breaks free and saves Peter. Hook should have really had a better locking mechanism on that lantern.

At the climax of the movie Hook and Pan fight to kill. Though they are serious about who wins they act in a comical way with Hook suffering from amusing injuries. Hanging in mid-air, being hit several times and having his clothes ripped. If this wasn’t a children’s movie, who knows how this would have turned out. Then came the crocodile, Hook fell into the crocodile's mouth, bounced out of his body then swam as fast as he could away with the crocodile chasing him. Peter and the others laughed this off. Captain Hook certainly makes one great villain on this movie.

3. The Bomb

Whilst Wendy and the boys are left having fun Peter takes a time out in his hide out. A parcel is delivered by Captain Hook and his crew which Peter opens. It turns out to be a bomb, it explodes nearly killing him and he becomes entrapped in rubble. Tinkerbell swoops in and saves Peter from death. Though not frightening to watch, the thought of Peter dying from a bomb attack is still a scary thought. Peter got lucky here. The look on his face says it all.

Peter, Wendy and the lost boys defeat Hook and Wendy and her brothers are escorted safely home. Peter says goodbye and flies back to Neverland and they all live happily ever after. Well, except from Captain Hook of course.