Newport

Author(s): Michael
Location: Oklahoma

"Newport"

Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Written by Matthew Vaughn and Rob Thomas
Distributed by Universal Studios
Original Score by James Newton Howard

Main Cast

James Marsden - Captain James P. Newport/Hook
Stanley Tucci- Smee
Timothy Olyphant- Starky, The First Mate
Q’Orianka Kilcher- Tiger Lilly
Russell Means- Chief of the Natives
Kate Burton- Angela Newport
Randall Bently- Peter Pan

Runtime: 164 minutes

Filming Locations: London, England, New Zealand, the Caribbean, & Various Soundstages

Budget: $165,000,000

Genre: Comedy

Rated: PG-13 for Intense Action Sequences, Violence, and Language

Tagline: "Hook…on the other hand. 12/21/11"

Synopsis: James Newport was not a normal kid. At least according to his mother, Angela. She didn’t approve of his interest in ships and sailing because he was supposed to take over the family business. So when the Queen of England sends Newport out on a mission to find the worlds riches, he finally feels accepted. Unfortunately, Newport and his crew are blown off course due to storms and they end up landing on the enchanting island the soon learn to call Never Never Land.

Before long, Newport meets the island natives who show James and the crew how to hunt on the island, different routes around the land, and where to avoid wild animals such as crocodiles. Out of the blue, one day one of the natives comes up and tries to kill Newport, and Newport kills him in self-defense. The Natives do not believe Newport’s story of self-defense and decide they are going to kill him, although Newport is saved by his crew. A few weeks later, news comes of a few young boys who have arrived on the island and have befriended the Natives.

The boy’s name is Peter Pan. He’s the self proclaimed leader of the “Lost Boys” and is quite the little adventurer. After the Indians promise him a reward if he kills Newport, Pan and the boys are on a mission to kill him. So while Newport and his crew are out sailing on Mermaid Lagoon, Peter attempts to kill Newport, but misses and only cuts off his hand instead. Not knowing what to do with the hand, he throws it to a nearby crocodile and then he and the boys quickly disappear.

Once the Lost Boys return to the Native camp, they explain what happened the tribe decides that they will only give Peter half his reward. At a special ceremony, Peter is given a box of what seems to be dust and mistakenly dumps the dust on him. After doing this a swarm of fairies come around Peter and the next thing he knows he is flying around in the air.

What the Press would say:

Matthew Vaughn’s take on the ever present land of Never Never Land is definitely the best of all “prequel” films that that has ever come out of Hollywood. “Newport” tells the story of a young Captain Hook, or better known as Captain Newport, whom is sent out by the queen to discover an ancient island and after being blown off course ends up in the enthralling Never Never Land. After being accused of murder by the natives, Newport and his crew are banished from the group’s part of the island. Only then is it that the infamous Peter Pan shows up on the island, looking to establish a good relationship with the Indians, and goes off on an “adventure” to kill Captain Newport. What ensues is a thrilling journey into the magical land that J.M. Barrie created over 100 years ago.

Matthew Vaughn does a fantastic job keeping the spirit of the J.M. Barrie novel, the charisma of the Disney film, and the joy of the Mary Martin musical version of Peter Pan and translating it to Hook’s, or should I say Newport’s, side of the story. Rob Thomas and Vaughn have written a first-rate script that really applies to all the retellings of the Barrie story and you can tell they really took time to develop the story and make it what it is today. The film is laugh out loud one minute and heart wrenching the next and the credit goes to Thomas and Vaughn.

Marsden is unbelievable as the comedic protagonist and is one of the best parts of the top notch film. It is very evident that he took a lot of time to think about his role and hits all the emotions perfectly. Stanley Tucci is actually a huge surprise and is astonishing as Newport’s sidekick Smee. The role was written very well and he really snatches up every opportunity he has to be funny and he and Marsden go back and forth really well on the screen.

The entire cast and crew really deliver two and a half solid hours of witty, enchanting, and fantastic entertainment. And in this rare case, everyone deserves credit.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director- Matthew Vaughn
Best Actor- James Marsden
Best Supporting Actor- Stanley Tucci
Best Original Screenplay
Best Original Score
Best Costume Design
Best Art Direction
Best Original Song- “The Hate I Have”- James Marsden (Over the Credits)
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Makeup
Best Visual Effects