The story line issue and my ideas for a better prequel *some spoilers*
Like most of you here, I am totally disappointed with this film.
I had a real issue with the whole story line, the CGI, and the Nirvana song.
But what really annoyed me was Peter's character. I had a real problem with him being 12 and still holding onto the idea his mum was going to come looking for him at the orphanage. And that makes me wonder why he doesn't think he's got a father. Why does he believe his mother is a good person and will fetch him? Why does he even think anyone will come for him after 12 years? The whole film is a quest to find his mother... yawn! This Peter Pan was way too serious and sentimental for me. He was very passive while the Peter Pan I love seem much more proactive and imaginative.
And what's with the "chosen one" plot! Haven't we had enough of those? Too cliche. Besides, Peter Pan is not meant to be a hero! He's meant to be mischievous and playful. He isn't meant to grow up, take responsibility and save anyone but himself. He's selfish, childish and doesn't care about other people's feelings. Also, what happened to his shadow? There was no mention of it.
If I were a screen writer and was asked to write a prequel, I would have had Peter be a rebel, a truant, a thief, either in an orphanage or living in the streets of London. He could be a regular kid living a boring life with a regular boring family. In any case, he would already be a leader and getting himself into trouble.
------ Somehow he gets to Neverland (haven't thought this through yet)-----
Once in Neverland, he would meet the already evil Captain Hook (not Blackbeard) save a group of children, the Lost Boys, and flee into the woods. He would meet Tiger Lily and Tinkerbell (not at the same time and not necessarily in that order). He'd be a mean, selfish little boy and probably entice his friends to steal from the island's other inhabitants to survive, therefore using the skills he learnt growing up in a poor suburb of London. He makes enemies for sure. I can see him and Tiger Lily hating each other at first. Tinkerbell would be his gemini cricket, the voice of reason teaching him how to be a better kid. She would teach him how to fly. It wouldn't be too far fetched to imagine that Peter actually stole Tinkerbell from Captain Hook for her pixie dust.
Peter would play tricks and pranks, namely one on Hook, costing him his hand.
There would be no mention of his parents, no crying over his mummy. He'd be making the most out of Neverland, thriving on the opportunities that world brings, which is such a contrast to his previous life in London. And at the end, we would see him fly over the rooftops of his birth city, hinting to the story we all know and love.
No Nirvana or Ramone song, no anachronism, no crystal meth reference or child slavery and much less CGI!
I think that would have made a much more satisfying film.
Any thoughts or ideas?