WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Seraherrera The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

happipuppi13 Sunday,Feb. 21st, I took out an old copy of Pete's Dragon, that i have on VHS and decided to watch it. It had been a few years since I'd looked at it. I watched it in the company of my significant other, who being a few years younger, had not yet seen it. Well, not only did she like it but I was reminded why I liked it in the first place. For a few of my so called 'grown up years, I'd dismissed it a great deal as 'not Disney's best work'. I also didn't have a nice word for Sean Marshall's (Pete's) singing voice. (I'd roll my eyes during the 'I Love You Too' song.Now this past Sunday also, was the Disneyland 60th anniversary show on ABC, in which a preview trailer of the NEW 'Pete's Dragon was shown. I had no idea that a 'new' version of this childhood favorite was coming out soon or was even being made. What I can tell anyone who is thinking of going to see the new version is, as I always say about remakes, see the original version first. Sure, it was made in 1977 and the special effects aren't the same as what we're used to today....but that's what they had to work with then and what movie goers were used to then as well. Yes, that includes 'green-screen'effects. More importantly, what makes Pete's Dragon engaging is that it 'is' so very simple and child-like in most of it's telling. There's a few things said & done by adults in the film that are not up to today's Politically Correct do's & don't's, where kids films are concerned. They're a product of the time it was made and by a different generation, so it's best to just consider the era they're from.The film over the years has been called things from kiddie-fair, to overly sentimental to emotionally disturbing. None of which are fair labels, nor are they grounded in anything but certain scenes taken out of context. I would say that maybe, since it's a movie with a dragon, people then possibly expected Elliot to do more fantastic things than he actually did. He's a funny character with a funny way of talking and uses 'some' of his magic. I'm sure it was expected he'd use that magic on a greater scale. Anyhow,the story is this. Pete's an orphaned boy between 10 & 12 who is 'purchased' by the despicable 'Gogan' family, who are dirty, filthy and lazy and use Pete as child slave labor back home. They even have a 'bill of sale'. Pete's been befriended by Elliot, a usually invisible but sometimes seen, green Dragon (with little wings) that's helped him escape from the Gogans. He and Pete have come upon the quiet seaside town of Passamaquoddy, Maine. (Circa 1910s) Where in no time at all, Elliot makes the possibility of Pete living (and hiding out) there almost impossible. Enter Nora (Singer Helen Reddy) and 'Lampie' (Mickey Rooney), who operate the local lighthouse. (It's never made clear if they're co-workers or Father & daughter).Lampie is a drinker & former sailor, who actually sees Elliot and is frightened like crazy. Nora (and the boys at the bar) doubt him completely. Soon, because of Elliot's antics, it seems the town (except for Nora) is against Pete. Nora takes him in and thinks that Elliot is just something Pete made up. As the story goes on, there's other baddies to worry about besides the Gogans. Doc Terminus a snake-oil (fake medicine) salesman and his shill Hoagie arrive also. not just to take money from the townspeople but, when finding out about Elliot, want to get hold of him to use his parts in the things they sell. How will all of this turn out? Watch and see. In the meantime, I can tell you the songs here are pretty good. Reddy's 'Candle On The Water' is a great number, so much so it w released as a single for radio in1978. All of her numbers are good, as before this she'd had many top selling records. "Brazzle Dazle Day' is also an unforgettable & very catchy number sung by her, Roony & Marshall, as the paint the lighthouse.The Gogan's "Bill Of Sale' song is as grungy as they are. not note perfect but they're not perfect either, so it's fitting. Other songs by other characters are sung , 'in character'. To be fair to Pete, Marshall is actually a good singer but is singing as a regular boy like Pete could only be able too. So, I feel it was meant to happen that I ended up watching the original the same day as that special. Meaning, I may just go see the new version but it's still good to know that the original's always there. Not just to give an idea of what the new version may be like or how it'll be different ..but also, if someone may just like something from a time that was simpler and more easy going. 9 out of 10 from me, only one off for,again, some questionable dialog and actions from the grown ups in the film. (END)

Python Hyena Pete's Dragon (1977): Dir: Don Chaffey / Cast: Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, Sean Marshall: Live animation musical about a boy named Pete whose friend is a dragon named Elliott. It is an intriguing family film about control and the overuse of the imagination. He spirits Pete away from nasty relatives. They enter a small town where Elliott is sighted by a drunken old man whose daughter provides shelter. Elliott can render himself invisible and when he walks through a school house he is targeted by con men seeking profit. Plot is complex in dealing with the need for adult role models as well as presenting an array of colorful musical numbers. Directed by Don Chaffey who previously made Jason and the Argonauts. Imaginative film with engaging performances by Helen Reddy as a young woman who begins with an energetic bar room dance segment then she locks into possible adoption of Pete before saving him from certain danger. Mickey Rooney plays her drunken father who goes hysterical upon seeing Elliott, then assists Reddy in dealing with Pete. Jim Dale, and Red Buttons play the scheming con men who attempt to capture Elliott at any cost . Sean Marshall plays Pete, the orphan running from abusive relatives, and could align with a brand new start. Message of friendship underlined with an engaging animated character. Score: 9 / 10

joanna-weng I have never forgotten this movie and some song lyrics where always on my mind for over 20 years. I didn't watch it again for a long time, assuming it is a kid movie, until lately, where I discovered that there is also the long 129 minutes version. Surprisingly, I found myself very entertained even as a an adult! Of course one has a different perspective and there where so many jokes and side remarks that I just didn't get as a kid - it was wonderful to "rediscover" this movie. The ocean scenery is beautiful and the songs - they are just great, sometimes funny, sometimes really touching.This movie is so heart warming, well done for its time and brings along many important messages about friendship, love, tolerance, enjoying life together, but also doing the right thing and stand up for what you believe - just like Nora, my favorite character. I found myself in a very good mood the rest of the day, remembering my childhood and humming "Brazzle Dazzle day" ;-) So what is the definition of a good movie ? A movie you can watch as kid or adult discovering different things, a movie with music & lyrics you never forget and have to sing along, a movie that makes you think and appreciate your loved ones, family and friends but also lifts you up and makes you feel happy ? If that's not the definition of a good movie, then I don't know what is. I will watch it again and again.

Blueghost I saw this movie a number of times on HBO, but, Ironically enough, I can't remember too much about it. I remember when it was first advertised for the theatres, and shrugging my shoulders at it as a kids' film. A friend of mine really took to it, but I don't recall anything too extraordinary about it.The old "out of the ink well" animation formula is taken to the extreme when a young boy who comes across a sleepy coastside Hamlet discovers intrigue among the locals. His special medieval mythical fire-breathing (and flying) friend aids him in his search for a family and to right a wrong.To be honest, I never got the whole thing, but it was fun for what it was. Not a film I would own in my collection ... unless the wife and kids wanted it. Don't get me wrong, it's a very fine children's film, my tastes just lie elsewhere.Give it a whirl on the old DVD player, and watch it with the family.Enjoy.