Everything about this safe reboot is tailored to ensure the young ones can easily follow along. Its characters are never complex thus never compelling and David Lowery's stiff direction never challenges the actors to bring their A-game. Sure it boasts recognizable faces and names like Bryce Dallas Howard (now of Jurassic World fame) and the great Robert Redford to woo the grownups, but the performances never soar beyond showing up and reading lines. What's more bland than the performances and these characters is the adventure they go on. It's very by the numbers. From the first familiar frames you know how this movie is going to unfold. Pete's Dragon hits so many recognizable beats that you'll quickly be singing along (so to speak).
The emphasis was obviously on bringing to life Elliot, the giant, plush-faced, computer generated dragon and to Disney's credit, he is the most enjoyable thing in the film. Pete's Dragon is very much a tale about a boy and his dog so it's not unexpected that most of Elliot's mannerisms resemble that of a domesticated hound. To be fair, it's quite endearing the way Elliot wags his tale when he's happy or whines when he's sad. You'd have to be heartless not to be won over by Pete's mythic pet.
Ultimately, that's about the only thing to be won over by. Because the filmmakers are so desperate to reach their younger audience, adults may often find themselves bored. I understand it sounds ridiculous to rag on a children's movie for being "too childish," but parents are people too and should be considered if they're going to be the ones financially supporting your product, especially at a cost that doesn't come cheap at the box office.
Is Pete's Dragon worth your time? Well I can tell you it's definitely not worth a ticket at the theater. I highly recommend waiting for digital release if you and the family want to take a ride with Pete's Dragon.
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