Should I Take My Kids To See Pete’s Dragon Mom Review

Disney’s Pete’s Dragon is a remake of Disney’s classic Pete’s Dragon (1977) with a whole new story about Pete and his dragon Elliot.

Petes Dragon Movie Poster

My daughters and I (ages 8 and nearly 5) had the fun opportunity to screen Pete’s Dragon under the stars at Fort Wilderness Lodge. (Seriously, how cool?!) To make the evening even more special, we met Pete himself, Oaks Fegley.

Oaks Fegley Petes Dragon

I loved Pete’s Dragon as a girl, so the before we saw the new movie I rented the original Pete’s Dragon on Amazon for the family to enjoy. My daughters fell in love with Elliot and couldn’t wait to see the new movie. If your kids haven’t seen the original Pete’s Dragon, I highly recommend it for kids of all ages.

About Pete’s Dragon

A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, “Pete’s Dragon” is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon.

For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliott seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon. 

Petes Dragon Oaks Fegley

Should I Take My Kids To See Pete’s Dragon

Minor spoilers ahead to help parents decide if they should take their kids to see Pete’s Dragon. Nothing crucial, just enough to help you decide what is best for your kids.

Both girls were excited to see Pete’s Dragon, and they were captivated by the story. Even though there were some intense moments in the movie, they will both tell you that they loved the movie — and so did mom.

The story opens with a car accident that leaves Pete orphaned in the woods. In true Disney fashion, the accident is handled well with nothing graphic or upsetting — other than the loss of the parents. My four year old was very concerned about Pete after the accident and kept asking what happened to his parents. When I quietly explained that they died in the accident, she was ok, but it is defiantly sad. 

Pete’s adventures in the forest with his dragon Elliot are full of magical fun, and soon both of my daughters were wishing for their own dragon. Pete’s life changes when he meets Grace, a local park ranger, and Natalie, a young girl his age. The immediately accept Pete and treat him like family.

Bryce Dallas Howard Pete's Dragon

But the meeting leads to the discovery of Elliot, and not all of the townsfolk are accepting of a dragon living in the woods. Hunters return to the woods to capture Elliot, and Pete is there to witness the hunt. The hunters manage to shoot Elliot multiple times with tranquilizers, and at this point I had to explain to my girls about tranquilizers. reassuring them that Elliot was just really sleepy from medicine. 

The climax comes when Pete, Natalie, Grace and Mr. Meacham help Elliot Escape, and it is intense. As the hunters close in, Elliot thinks Pete is in danger and becomes very defensive. At this point, both of my kids grabbed my arms and held on tight. But the intense moments are over quickly, and soon it is obvious that all will be well (and my daughters’ grip released).

Elliot and Pete

Mom’s option – I am glad I took both of my daughters, in the end they loved the movie. While the climax was intense for both girls, they quickly recovered as the tide turned and Elliot was able to escape. (Perhaps a small spoiler there, but you had to know the movie has a happen ending – it’s Disney!)

I recommend this movie for kids ages 5+.

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