The Disney movie Pete's Dragon has flown in just in time for the school holidays.
If you're thinking you've seen enough movies about dragons, think again. This one comes with the bonus of beautiful New Zealand scenery.
There be dragons, and in a cinema near you. Well, to be fair, there's just the one dragon, but Elliot is all you need.
When wee Pete finds himself alone in the big dark forest, he'll need a friend. And once you've put away the hanky after bawling your eyes out through the first five minutes of this wonderful film, the joy of their friendship will spill over into one of the loveliest live-action Disney films in years.
Pete is found in the forest with a pleasing mullet and a curious smile. And while most of the grown-ups think he needs saving, Pete knows otherwise. He has friends in high places after all.
But mixing people and dragons is more often than not problematic. Pete and Elliot must fight for their friendship, and for their survival.
An imaginary dragon in an old fashioned Disney fairy tale that delivers a very real emotional gut punch, no question Pete's Dragon is a double-hanky situation.
A great cast – they take a backseat supporting role to our real hero - and Elliot delivers on every level. The very definition of an old-school Disney movie, please do not miss this on the big screen and please try for 3D.
Four-and-a-half stars.
Pete's Dragon:: Director: David Lowery :: Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley, Oona Laurence, Craig Hall, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Oakes Fegley:: Rating: PG - low-level violence:: Running Time: 103 minutes:: Release Date: In cinemas now
Newshub.
