“Pete’s Dragon” (2016) is a live-action/CGI fantasy adventure film directed by David Lowery, and it is a reimagining of Disney’s 1977 musical film of the same name. The movie tells the heartwarming story of a young boy named Pete and his best friend, Elliot, a giant, friendly, and furry dragon. Unlike the original film, this version has a more serious tone and focuses on themes of family, friendship, and the importance of nature, while still maintaining a magical and adventurous atmosphere.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Pete (Oakes Fegley), a young boy who survives a car accident in the woods that claims the lives of his parents. Lost and alone, Pete is found and taken in by Elliot, a dragon living deep in the forest. For the next six years, Pete lives in the wilderness with Elliot, forming a close bond with the creature. Pete believes that Elliot is a figment of his imagination, but Elliot is very real and has protected Pete from harm, acting as both a guardian and a friend.

Their peaceful life is disrupted when Grace Meacham (Bryce Dallas Howard), a forest ranger, discovers Pete during a patrol. Grace is skeptical of Pete’s story about living with a dragon, but her father, Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford), a local woodcarver, has long told tales of encountering a mysterious dragon in the woods when he was younger. As Pete is brought back into civilization, he struggles to adjust to the human world, while Elliot, fearing for Pete’s safety, searches for his young friend.

Meanwhile, Grace’s fiancé Jack (Wes Bentley) and his brother Gavin (Karl Urban), who work in the logging industry, also become involved in the story. Gavin, in particular, becomes determined to capture Elliot after spotting the dragon in the woods, leading to a tense conflict between preserving the magic of nature and exploiting it for personal gain.

The film culminates in an emotional journey as Pete must decide whether to stay with his new human family or return to the wilderness with Elliot, while Elliot faces the danger of being hunted.

Key Characters

• Pete (Oakes Fegley): Pete is the young boy who is orphaned and raised by Elliot in the forest. He has a wild, adventurous spirit and is deeply connected to nature, thanks to his upbringing with the dragon. His journey revolves around finding his place in the world, torn between his love for Elliot and the new family that offers him safety and belonging.
• Elliot: Elliot is Pete’s dragon and protector, a large, green, furry creature capable of turning invisible. Unlike traditional dragons, Elliot is friendly, affectionate, and playful, much like a loyal dog. He represents both the magic of nature and the power of love and friendship. Elliot’s relationship with Pete is the emotional core of the film.
• Grace Meacham (Bryce Dallas Howard): Grace is a kind-hearted forest ranger who becomes a motherly figure to Pete after finding him in the woods. She is torn between her duty to protect the forest and her skepticism about the existence of a dragon, until she begins to see the magic of Elliot for herself.
• Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford): Mr. Meacham, Grace’s father, is a woodcarver who has long believed in the existence of the mysterious dragon in the woods. His tales of encountering a dragon inspire Grace and the townspeople to believe in the extraordinary.
• Gavin (Karl Urban): Gavin is the main antagonist, a logger who becomes obsessed with capturing Elliot once he realizes the dragon is real. He represents the human impulse to exploit the wonders of nature for personal gain, contrasting with Pete and Grace’s desire to protect Elliot and the forest.

Themes

• Friendship and Loyalty: The bond between Pete and Elliot is central to the film. Elliot is not only Pete’s best friend but also his protector, offering unconditional love and loyalty. Their relationship highlights the importance of trust, loyalty, and the strength of friendship, even between two vastly different beings.
• Family and Belonging: Pete’s journey is one of self-discovery as he learns to find a place in the human world while maintaining his connection to Elliot. The film explores the idea of family, both biological and chosen, and how love and belonging can be found in unexpected places.
• Nature vs. Civilization: Pete’s Dragon contrasts the wonder and magic of nature, represented by the forest and Elliot, with the encroaching threat of human civilization, represented by Gavin and the logging industry. The film advocates for the preservation of nature’s beauty and the importance of protecting magical and natural wonders from exploitation.
• Belief in the Extraordinary: Characters like Mr. Meacham and, eventually, Grace, represent belief in the extraordinary and the unseen. The film encourages audiences to embrace wonder and imagination, suggesting that there is magic in the world if we are open to seeing it.

Visuals and Special Effects

The visual effects in Pete’s Dragon are stunning, particularly in the creation of Elliot. The dragon is rendered with a combination of CGI and motion capture, giving him a soft, playful appearance, with expressive eyes and a fur-covered body that makes him feel approachable and real. Elliot’s ability to turn invisible adds an extra layer of magic, and his interactions with Pete are both heartwarming and visually impressive.

The film’s depiction of the forest is lush and serene, providing a beautiful backdrop for Pete and Elliot’s adventures. The contrast between the peaceful, magical world of the forest and the mechanical, destructive world of the logging industry is highlighted through the cinematography.

Performances

• Oakes Fegley delivers a heartfelt performance as Pete, capturing the innocence and wildness of a boy who has grown up in the wilderness with a dragon as his only companion. His bond with Elliot feels genuine, and his emotional journey is compelling.
• Bryce Dallas Howard brings warmth and compassion to the role of Grace, acting as the bridge between Pete’s wild world and the human world. Her relationship with Pete develops naturally, and she serves as a caring mother figure.
• Robert Redford adds charm and gravitas as Mr. Meacham, the wise old storyteller who has always believed in the magic of the forest. His character adds a sense of wonder and nostalgia to the film.
• Karl Urban gives a solid performance as Gavin, the film’s antagonist, driven by greed and ambition. His character’s motivations provide a clear conflict between exploitation and preservation.

Reception and Legacy

Pete’s Dragon was praised for its emotional depth, performances, and visual effects. Critics and audiences appreciated its heartfelt story, particularly the relationship between Pete and Elliot, which resonated with both children and adults. The film was noted for its gentle, quiet tone, which set it apart from other fast-paced, action-heavy blockbusters.

Its focus on themes of family, friendship, and nature struck a chord with viewers, making it a beloved modern retelling of a classic Disney story. While it didn’t receive the same level of attention as other Disney live-action reboots, it remains a beautifully crafted film that emphasizes the magic of childhood and the importance of preserving the natural world.

Conclusion

Pete’s Dragon (2016) is a heartwarming and visually enchanting tale about the power of friendship, love, and the magic that exists in the natural world. With its charming performances, stunning visual effects, and touching story, the film offers a gentle reminder of the beauty in believing in the extraordinary and the importance of protecting the wonders around us. It’s a delightful film for families and anyone who enjoys a story filled with heart and wonder.