Director: David Lowery
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley and Robert Redford
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have made movies that are as treasured as Bryce Dallas Howard. Ever since her rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Howard has made many powerful movies. Whether it’s helpful housekeepers, the mothers of famous singers or political leaders. Howard has played several strong characters. Arguably, Howard’s strength as an actress has often been her strong commitment toward her craft. She has often had a rare talent to steal a show in supporting roles which possess limited screen-time. Even when she isn’t a main focus of a movie, Howard has always left a powerful impression. An actress with bold commitment to her craft, Howard has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout an enduring career, Howard has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Howard and adore all movies she has made in her career. However, “Pete’s Dragon” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2016, David Lowrey’s movie has become a fantasy classic. Packed with strong production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best fantasy movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance from Bruce Dallas Howard, who portrays a woman seeking to care for a magical dragon. Ultimately, what makes “Pete’s Dragon” a fantasy classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most fantasy films, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing fantasy masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Pete’s Dragon” is a commemorated movie which is worth watching.
Based on the classic animated film, “Pete’s Dragon” tells a story of a fantastical dragon facing tension. Bruce Dallas Howard portrays Grace, a fierce forest ranger that’s dedicated to caring for woods she has grown to embrace. Grace’s father Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has often told his daughter stories of a dragon located in the forest. Grace has always taken the fantasy tales with a grain of salt refusing to believe in the existence of a dragon. However, Grace’s life forever changes when she comes across a real dragon which causes a disaster. Pete is a mysterious dragon without a home in a situation that’s dangerous. Feeling pity for a dragon that’s lonely, Grace takes on the heavy responsibility of taking care of a dragon facing tragedies. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Grace questions whether she can ever secure a dragon’s future.
David Lowery is a newcomer toward stories of dragons. Before he directed “Pete’s Dragon”, Lowery had never made a fantasy film about dragons before. It was the director’s first ever attempt to remake a celebrated animated film about dragons that cause catastrophe but he succeeded immensely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Lowery captures a woman on a journey to care for a dragon causing tragedy. Evoking Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring”, Lowery captures a woman’s journey to care for a dragon causing tragedy. Lowery effectively uses montages to capture a woman seeking to care for a dragon that causes messy catastrophe. For instance, montages elevate the dragon discovery scene. During this memorable scene, Grace discovers the dragon in the forest which causes tension. Through stunning montages, Lowery creates a portrait of dragons that’s compelling. Montage is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3” suggested, montages enhance comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Lowery captures tension that dragons are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Pete’s Dragon” that merits appreciation is the production design. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Lowery effectively uses practical effects to create a dragon that’s compelling. Throughout the film, the practical effects play a pivotal role in creating a dragon that proves compelling. For instance, the practical effects enhance the dragon scene. During this intense scene, Grace gets into a fierce fight with Pete when the dragon misbehaves. Using stunning practical effects, Lowery constructs a realistic dragon that’s compelling. Practical effects are tricky techniques to use in movies. However, it works immensely in this film. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Daniel Hart’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that dragons bear. Through strong production, Lowery demonstrates dragons that experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Pete’s Dragon” is a fantasy classic that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the bonds between a woman and her dragon. Throughout the movie, Lowery successfully uses silence to capture the bond between a dragon and its owner. For instance, silence enhances the dragon farewell scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Grace bids farewell towards Pete as she embarks upon a journey. Through silence, Lowery crafts a dragon that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a tricky technique to use in films. As M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” suggested, silence enhances horror movies about villages. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Lowery captures the lives of dragons facing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Bryce Dallas Howard delivers one of her best performances as Grace. Howard first earned appreciation for playing powerful heroines in horror movies. With “Pete’s Dragon”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t ray to portray a woman which strives to care for a dragon causing catastrophe but she pulled it off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most iconic role. Howard has often excelled at playing emotional women under stress, and “Pete’s Dragon” showcased her strengths as an actress. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a commemorated woman seeking to care for frightening dragons. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses which is working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Bryce Dallas Howard, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Robert Redford is remarkable, bringing bravery to an elderly man seeking to care for a dragon that’s adored. Wes Bentley is stellar, capturing the authority of a forest manager seeking to prevent dragons from that cause catastrophe. Lastly, Karl Urban merits appreciation. As a compassionate dragon owner, he brings an air of emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Pete’s Dragon” would earn recognition of everyone for capturing dragons that endure tension. Unlike most fantasy films, it discusses strong themes which everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes including compassion, mental health and animal cruelty which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the animated classic to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding the bonds between humans and animals that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Pete’s Dragon” is one of those rare fantasy films that everyone would adore.
Fans of Bruce Dallas Howard would definitely enjoy “Pete’s Dragon” and so would audiences seeking enjoyable entertainment. A captivating fantasy classic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking fantasy film about women seeking to care for a magical dragon, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress with strong dedication towards her craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 