Newsletter
  • Guides
  • Previews
    • Indie Games
    • PS4
    • PC
    • Xbox One
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo 3DS
    • PS Vita
    • PS3
    • Xbox 360
    • Wii U
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Staff Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies Policy
    • RSS Feeds
    • Social Media
      • Youtube
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Twitch
      • Instagram
      • Tumblr
      • Linkedin
      • Pinterest
      • Discord
  • Discord
  • Store
  • Logitech G
  • green man gaming
  • Affiliates
    • GAMIVO.com
    • Logitech
    • Astro Gaming
    • Nord VPN
    • Best Buy
    • Namecheap Hosting
    • Blue Mic
    • Ultimate Ears
    • Jaybird
Friday, September 29, 2023
BG
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    45 minutes of Eternights Gameplay

    Back to the Dawn Gets New Gamescom Trailer

    Avatar: The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance Launching Late September

    Remnant 2 Available Now For PC and Consoles

    Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Battle Chronicle Pre-registration Available Now

    New Remnant 2 ‘Hunter Archetype’ Trailer Released

    ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY Closed Beta Announced

    Guardian Goddess Idle RPG Registration Open

    esports tournament dates 2023

    Don’t Miss These Major Esports Tournaments Coming in 2023!

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews

    AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead and Undressed Switch Review

    Remnant 2 PC Review

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie PC Review

    Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Nintendo Switch Review

    Atelier Ryza 3

    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Nintendo Switch Review

    No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

    Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

    Wanted: Dead Review

    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion
    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space

    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space (Without Irritating Each Other!)

    explore a new world of esports - bet successfully on valorant matches!

    Explore a New Era of eSports: Bet Successfully on Valorant Matches

    betting on video games - 5 tops picks

    Betting on Video Games: 5 top picks

    esports betting featured image

    5 Secrets of Bankroll Management That You Don’t Know

    Popular games featured image

    The increasing popularity of online casinos

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    buying, szelling, and trading csgo skins

    What To Expect When Buying, Selling, & Trading CS: GO Skins

    What Are the Best Ways to Gear Up in Retail WOW?

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Void Slayer – Review

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

    Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

    Nacon Rig 600 PRO Gets Release Date

    Cliff Bleszinski’s Comic Book Launches at San Diego Comic-Con

    RiotPWR Gaming Controller RP1950 Is Future Proof

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    Pwnage Releases New Info On Stormbreaker, The Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    45 minutes of Eternights Gameplay

    Back to the Dawn Gets New Gamescom Trailer

    Avatar: The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance Launching Late September

    Remnant 2 Available Now For PC and Consoles

    Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Battle Chronicle Pre-registration Available Now

    New Remnant 2 ‘Hunter Archetype’ Trailer Released

    ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY Closed Beta Announced

    Guardian Goddess Idle RPG Registration Open

    esports tournament dates 2023

    Don’t Miss These Major Esports Tournaments Coming in 2023!

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews

    AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead and Undressed Switch Review

    Remnant 2 PC Review

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie PC Review

    Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Nintendo Switch Review

    Atelier Ryza 3

    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Nintendo Switch Review

    No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

    Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

    Wanted: Dead Review

    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion
    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space

    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space (Without Irritating Each Other!)

    explore a new world of esports - bet successfully on valorant matches!

    Explore a New Era of eSports: Bet Successfully on Valorant Matches

    betting on video games - 5 tops picks

    Betting on Video Games: 5 top picks

    esports betting featured image

    5 Secrets of Bankroll Management That You Don’t Know

    Popular games featured image

    The increasing popularity of online casinos

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    buying, szelling, and trading csgo skins

    What To Expect When Buying, Selling, & Trading CS: GO Skins

    What Are the Best Ways to Gear Up in Retail WOW?

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Void Slayer – Review

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

    Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

    Nacon Rig 600 PRO Gets Release Date

    Cliff Bleszinski’s Comic Book Launches at San Diego Comic-Con

    RiotPWR Gaming Controller RP1950 Is Future Proof

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    Pwnage Releases New Info On Stormbreaker, The Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
BagoGames
No Result
View All Result

BagoGames > Articles > Geek Culture > Movies > Pete’s Dragon Review

Pete’s Dragon Review

Dylan Schwan by Dylan Schwan
7 years ago
in Geek Culture, Movies
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
(Pete's Dragon, Walt Disney Studios)

(Pete's Dragon, Walt Disney Studios)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Nostalgia is one hell of a drug. Over the past few months in particular, we’ve all fallen victim to various movies and TV shows stoking at our love of past media and especially the 80s. It’s not just various nostalgia though. We’re being fed peak 80’s cinema culture. As directors like Jeff Nichols, Jeremy Saulnier, and The Duffer Brothers pay homage to legendary director John Carpenter, we suck it up as the next best thing. A few of the prior directors have been accused of straight ripping off from Carpenter; that’s not easily said for Pete’s Dragon director David Lowery. After his sophomore film, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, left a mark on the indie world, Disney picked him to remake the lesser known musical from 1977. Does it manage to become its own beast?

Normally in this part of the review, I would summarize the plot, but here’s where Pete’s Dragon differs from a lot of films. There isn’t much of a plot, and that’s pretty refreshing. A boy is left in the wilderness and befriends a dragon before being found by the encroaching civilization. What makes that so remarkable is how Lowery (and Disney) allow the film to breathe. After the breakneck pace of numerous television series and 2 & a half hour films, Lowery allows the characters to naturally be within the universe that the rest of the film builds. When was the last time a mainstream movie let an expositional scene be over 5 minutes? I can’t remember.

Despite a lot of the originality displayed, Pete’s Dragon has still come under fire for playing right out of Steven Spielberg’s wheelhouse. The criticisms are not unfounded. The film has a close resemblance to Spielberg’s 1982 classic, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. A boy befriends a creature and discovers a world of magic and fright along the way. What moves Pete’s Dragon into its own thing is how patient it is. Lowery could have easily made this film 90 minutes and had every piece of film stripped of life. It shows incredible restraint to pull off a film like this and Lowery has it in spades.

RelatedStories

Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

2 weeks ago

Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

3 weeks ago
(Pete's Dragon, Walt Disney Studios)
(Pete’s Dragon, Walt Disney Studios)

All that being said, this films belongs to a handful of people. First off is Lowery himself. Aside from all the reasons I previously mentioned, he understands how to build setting and time. Set roughly in the late 70s to early 80s in a small mid-western town, Lowery sets out to never tell the audience any of these things. Based on geography and the technology around these characters, we have to look into that ourselves. We’re trusted as an audience to do the heavy lifting. Our star, Oakes Fegley is tremendous as Pete. Filled with wonder and awe, the young actor is entirely convincing as a boy that lives with this dragon. So many humorous scenes are sold out of his reaction to random objects, but he can do the harsh emotional scenes as well. Last, but not least, I’ve got to give it to the animators of Elliot the Dragon. While not exactly photo-realistic, his presence is completely believable to the world established and works wonders on the audience.

It says a lot about a film when my main problem is that the remaining actors aren’t given enough material to be any better than they usually are. All other actors are, at the very least, solid. Pete’s Dragon is a solid experience that is able to exist on its own terms and knows how to modestly accomplish its goals. After putting Spielberg to shame and becoming attached to Disney’s upcoming live-action remake, Peter Pan; I’d say it’s safe to give Lowery some time to make his own thing. Then again, if he keeps doing director-for-hire movies this good, I don’t see why they would even let him go. For that, I definitely don’t blame them.

Pete's Dragon

Pete's Dragon
8.5

Score

8.5/10

Pros

  • Newcomer Oakes Fegley is an outstanding talent to look out for
  • David Lowery proves he's not a one-hit-wonder, establishing setting better than most
  • Nostalgia is not manipulated from the viewer, but allowed to breathe
  • Excellent solid effort from Disney after a string of narrative failures

Cons

  • Most actors are great, but their material is lacking
Tags: Bryce Dallas HowardDisneyMovie ReviewsTop Stories
ShareTweetShare


Previous Post

Eisenhorn: XENOS Review – Heresy As Far As The Eye Can See

Next Post

Gamers In Beta Podcast 164: Vegan Double Ender

Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

BAGOGAMES WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Get this week's top news, reviews, guides, videos and opinion for your favorite games, movies, TV and tech in your email every Friday.

Don't worry, we don't spam.

NEW ON BAGOGAMES

Anime and Manga

Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

by Abdul Saad
2 weeks ago
Geek Culture

Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

by Michael Mosley
3 weeks ago
Game Reviews

AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead and Undressed Switch Review

3 weeks ago

LATEST PODCASTS & VIDEOS

Currently Playing

Void Slayer – Review

Void Slayer – Review

Game Reviews

The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

Opinion

BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

Game Reviews

She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

Game Reviews

Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

Opinion

FOLLOW US

BagoGames

BagoGames.com © 2023 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Staff Directory
  • Join Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • RSS Feeds
  • Discord Server
  • BG Store
  • OpenCritic
  • green man gaming
  • Logitech G
  • GAMIVO.com
  • ASTRO Gaming
  • Logitech
  • Namecheap Hosting
  • Nord VPN
  • Best Buy
  • Blue Mic
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Guides

Follow Us

  • Login
  • Sign Up
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Geek Culture
  • Previews
  • Guides
  • Short Videos
  • Forum
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Join Our Team
    • Staff Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    • Newsletter
    • RSS Feeds

BagoGames.com © 2023 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
wpDiscuz