PAN (2015) Movie Review
In light of the Christmas season, Pan wouldn’t appear to be of much relevance. On the surface it is a fantastical origin story of one of the most famous Disney stories of all time, Peter Pan.
The original Peter Pan is the story of a strange flying boy who takes three English children to his home world, Neverland, in an attempt to keep them together. Neverland is a world of which every child dreams. Magic, tree houses, waterfalls, mermaids, Indians, pirates, fairies, and above all, the opportunity to stay young and carefree forever.
However, the story leaves many unanswered questions. Where did the pirates come from? What are they after? Why is there animosity between Hook and Peter? What makes the children stay young? What makes Peter different from the other children? Is Peter from Earth or Neverland? What is the connection between the two worlds?
Pan answers these questions in an incredibly unique way, beginning with the humble birth of Peter Pan following his journey to bringing salvation to the persecuted habitats of Neverland. On a deeper level, Pan parallels with the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ was born in a stable with nothing to his name.
Peter’s story begins with the doorstep of an orphanage. He was left with nothing more than a letter and a small pendant before his mysterious mother disappeared into the mist. He spends the first twelve years of his life living with only those two items to his name while he is forced to live in the poor, abusive conditions of an orphanage.
More importantly, his birth had been the result of a prophecy as the savior of mankind.
Isaiah 7:14: “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel…” (NLT)
After Peter’s transition from Earth to Neverland, he discovers that he too is a prophecized savior.
Blackbeard says, “We have an ancient prophecy that tell of a boy, a boy who would be disappeared from his world until he was old enough to return and lead an uprising against me. A boy who could fly…”
The Peter Pan in this film is more than a rebel boy in denial with a pixie to help him get around. He is humble boy with a divine purpose and the ability to fly on his own. Peter saves his world and its citizens from certain death.
What a brilliant reminder for us as we transition from November to December and surround ourselves with sales ads, Santa Clauses, and twinkle lights.
Remember Christ in Christmas.
