'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.
"Peter in Wonderland" contains one of the most imaginative concepts of all the 'Peter Pan and the Pirates' episodes (the Peter Pan characters in Wonderland as the timeless characters of Lewis Carroll's classic 'Alice in Wonderland'). Luckily it makes the most of it in the best way possible, there are a lot of recognisable elements from 'Alice in Wonderland' with a 'Peter Pan' twist.
The episode is not one of the show's best-looking. It's good enough, it's colourful and detailed with some clever visuals but some of the drawing of some of the characters has been smoother and more attractive. This is a minor blemish to what is otherwise one of my favourites from 'Peter Pan and the Pirates'.
Music 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. Very few insults are as entertaining as Hook's. The story is absorbing and fun with some beautifully written conflict. It is worth seeing "Peter in Wonderland" for seeing Hook as Queen of Hearts alone, truly priceless and has to be seen to be believed (oddly enough Hook looks great as a woman).
Love that Peter is portrayed with a mix of likeable traits and less than likeable ones, which is exactly how he should be. With the pirates, there is much more to them than just one personality, even Smee for all his stupidity is funny and endearing. It was really interesting seeing the Neverland characters given a Wonderland makeover, and they are all characters that suits their personalities really well. Hook's my favourite character as ever.
All the voice acting is very good, Tim Curry especially with Jason Marsden close behind.
In conclusion, one of my favourite episodes of one of my favourite shows. 10/10 Bethany Cox
