Timon/Pumbaa fan wrote:Might as well post before Aaron does.
Shame on me for not posting in this until now.
Pete's Dragon is my favorite Disney film of all time. It's one of those movies for which my affection can't easily be summed up in a quick post and I never have the time to sit down and write it all out. I hope that it is given its due with a 2-Disc Masterpiece Edition release in the near future and that I in turn have the opportunity to review it. The movie has its weaknesses (Wonderlicious hit on one of them), but they are easily overshadowed by the many positive qualities. Magic is brimming throughout the whole thing, with some of the best music Disney has ever featured in a movie and a heartfelt relationship between the characters that more fondly remembered movies like <i>The Fox and the Hound</i> never comes close to. Elliott's role in Pete's life is probably one the best commentaries on childhood I've ever come across, rivaling the very best of children's literature!
Ichabod, reading your introductory post puts a smile on my face. It's nice to see someone else appreciate the movie for what it is. I have to say that while I do find some weak areas in the movie, Helen Reddy's performance has never been among them. She's a less flamboyant character than those around her, but then she's supposed to be. She's the beacon (forgive the pun) of sanity in Pete's life, just as she is his saving grace. That requires a more straight-laced performance, but I've always thought that she does it with more humor and flair than you would expect from the role. She runs on beer-filled barrels and dances on a bar for Pete's sake! (Again, forgive the pun). But hey, even if you don't like her acting, you've got to admit she sounds awesome in the songs.
I'm curious, what is everyone's favorite song? My 'all-time' favorite PD song is naturally "Candle on the Water", but I think my actual favorite is probably "Bill of Sale". I love the way Reddy sounds in that song and her lines are so heartfelt. In particular, I love her closing line: "I'll protect him as long as I'm alive", with the last note held out beautifully. The song really demonstrate Pete's need for protection and the defender that he has found in Nora.
I think I'll end my rambling about <i>Pete's Dragon</i> here, as I've already written more than I meant to. I'm vowing to listen to the soundtrack tomorrow, though, something I haven't yet done on my Bose speaker system!
-Aaron
