I wasn't a fan of the original "Pete's Dragon" movie when I saw it as a kid when it first came out, and it didn't impress me any more when I rewatched it as an adult a few years ago. So my hopes weren't very high when I sat down to watch this remake. But I will admit that to a degree I was surprised. This remake did not fall into the trap of so many modern day family movies by being extremely juvenile in tone - it is surprisingly sober and serious for the most part. Also, this remake did not fall into the trap of other remakes by following the original too close for its own good. Instead, it takes the basic idea of the first movie and goes to a much different direction.
Unfortunately, the direction it DOES go towards is one that you will have probably seen many times before. If you have seen the movie "E.T." or any family movie about Bigfoot, what happens in the second half of the movie will unfold in a very predictable and familiar fashion.
Another problem is with the title creature. Now, I am not as anti- CGI as many other people are, but I had to admit that in this particular movie, the CGI creation was, well, lacking. It stuck out like a sore thumb from the live action surroundings and characters. As a result, it was often hard to warm up to the dragon because he looked quite fake.
To sum up, while not awful or painful to sit through, this movie did not work for this adult. Kids, on the other hand, probably won't mind... at least if they haven't seen those aforementioned family movies that share a lot of the same plot developments.
Unfortunately, the direction it DOES go towards is one that you will have probably seen many times before. If you have seen the movie "E.T." or any family movie about Bigfoot, what happens in the second half of the movie will unfold in a very predictable and familiar fashion.
Another problem is with the title creature. Now, I am not as anti- CGI as many other people are, but I had to admit that in this particular movie, the CGI creation was, well, lacking. It stuck out like a sore thumb from the live action surroundings and characters. As a result, it was often hard to warm up to the dragon because he looked quite fake.
To sum up, while not awful or painful to sit through, this movie did not work for this adult. Kids, on the other hand, probably won't mind... at least if they haven't seen those aforementioned family movies that share a lot of the same plot developments.