'Peter Pan and the Pirates' very quickly not only became one of my favourite animated shows but also one of my favourites ever. Of all the adaptations of 'Peter Pan', it's also my personal favourite.
All the characters are not only interesting but remarkably complex, especially Hook, even when not looking like Barrie's Hook all the character traits of the character are fully explored and expanded upon. The show is advantaged furthermore by good animation (with some exceptions here and there). Great music particularly the theme tune, one of the best of any animated 90s show. Remarkably good writing that had real maturity and a wide range of emotions rare in animated shows today. Gripping and imaginative stories that maintain the spirit of Barrie's source material while expanding on the themes, events and characterisation. And really excellent voice acting, for one of the most talented voice actors in the business and near-unequalled in villain roles Captain Hook contains some of the best work Tim Curry has ever done.
Every show has to have a worst, or least favourite, episode. In 'Peter Pan and the Pirates' case, it is "Evicted!". It's enjoyable still, just that when one compares this and the best episodes the difference in quality is so vast.
The episode's worst asset is the animation, tying with "The Plucking of Short Tom" as the show's worst lookin. Especially in the second half and even more noticeable in the climax. Some nice detailed backgrounds, but the colours are not as vibrant this time round, the fluidity is overdone that parts look muddled and lacking finesse, the proportion sizes of faces looks wrong sometimes (especially Hook and the pixie) and Hook just looks weird in the climax.
Didn't think that highly of the pixie character either. He is poorly drawn and is not particularly interesting, somewhat annoying and his voice is pretty creepy at times. Do enjoy his interaction with Hook and Starkey. The episode does come to life significantly once Starkey appears, the first part's pacing isn't tight enough and doesn't hold attention straight away.
However, love the underground home, the chemistry between Peter and Wendy and Starkey's role (it's always nice when Starkey gets more exposure, he's enormous fun as a character and it's always nice when other members of the pirate crew that isn't Mullins and especially Smee has more to do) especially.
As said, once Starkey appears the story becomes more gripping and things feel better and more settled. The climax is great fun and tense. It is a shame that the better the story got the worse the animation got.
Music however is a great mix of lively, haunting and lush, the theme tune immediately sticks in one's head and never leaves it.
Writing is as mature, intelligent and emotionally complex as one would expect, never feeling dumbed down for adults or too complicated for children.
Love the characters and can't fault the voice acting.
In conclusion, pretty good but for 'Peter Pan and the Pirates', with so many great and more episodes, somewhat disappointing. 7/10 Bethany Cox
All the characters are not only interesting but remarkably complex, especially Hook, even when not looking like Barrie's Hook all the character traits of the character are fully explored and expanded upon. The show is advantaged furthermore by good animation (with some exceptions here and there). Great music particularly the theme tune, one of the best of any animated 90s show. Remarkably good writing that had real maturity and a wide range of emotions rare in animated shows today. Gripping and imaginative stories that maintain the spirit of Barrie's source material while expanding on the themes, events and characterisation. And really excellent voice acting, for one of the most talented voice actors in the business and near-unequalled in villain roles Captain Hook contains some of the best work Tim Curry has ever done.
Every show has to have a worst, or least favourite, episode. In 'Peter Pan and the Pirates' case, it is "Evicted!". It's enjoyable still, just that when one compares this and the best episodes the difference in quality is so vast.
The episode's worst asset is the animation, tying with "The Plucking of Short Tom" as the show's worst lookin. Especially in the second half and even more noticeable in the climax. Some nice detailed backgrounds, but the colours are not as vibrant this time round, the fluidity is overdone that parts look muddled and lacking finesse, the proportion sizes of faces looks wrong sometimes (especially Hook and the pixie) and Hook just looks weird in the climax.
Didn't think that highly of the pixie character either. He is poorly drawn and is not particularly interesting, somewhat annoying and his voice is pretty creepy at times. Do enjoy his interaction with Hook and Starkey. The episode does come to life significantly once Starkey appears, the first part's pacing isn't tight enough and doesn't hold attention straight away.
However, love the underground home, the chemistry between Peter and Wendy and Starkey's role (it's always nice when Starkey gets more exposure, he's enormous fun as a character and it's always nice when other members of the pirate crew that isn't Mullins and especially Smee has more to do) especially.
As said, once Starkey appears the story becomes more gripping and things feel better and more settled. The climax is great fun and tense. It is a shame that the better the story got the worse the animation got.
Music however is a great mix of lively, haunting and lush, the theme tune immediately sticks in one's head and never leaves it.
Writing is as mature, intelligent and emotionally complex as one would expect, never feeling dumbed down for adults or too complicated for children.
Love the characters and can't fault the voice acting.
In conclusion, pretty good but for 'Peter Pan and the Pirates', with so many great and more episodes, somewhat disappointing. 7/10 Bethany Cox