Disney PETE’S DRAGON Movie Review ~ Now Playing in Theaters! #PetesDragonEvent

I was invited on an all expenses paid trip by Disney to cover the #PetesDragonEvent. We also attended an advanced screening for this movie. All opinions are our own.

As you probably already know I had a blast in LA for the #PetesDragonEvent! If you missed my Pete’s Dragon Red Carpet World Premiere post yesterday be sure to go take a look, it was such a great time.

I had the pleasure of seeing Pete’s Dragon at the gorgeous El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. It is by far my favorite place to see a movie and being at the premiere is such a cool experience.

There is so much excitement and applause from the crowd. And I think it is so cool to be able to watch the movie with the stars and the filmmakers.

I loved every second of this movie. The story is great, the acting is very well done, and the special effects of the Dragon were breathtakingly beautiful. In fact, I didn’t even realize he wasn’t a real Dragon. The Disney team did a stand out job with this film.

Oakes Fegley is Pete and Oona Laurence is Natalie in Disney's PETE'S DRAGON, the story of a boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just happens to be a dragon. — Oakes Fegley is Pete and Oona Laurence is Natalie in Disney’s PETE’S DRAGON. ©Disney

The story isn’t anything like the 1970’s version and I think that was a good way to go. It isn’t a remake but more of a re-imaging based on that same idea of a boy and his dragon.

Oakes Fegley is Pete in Disney's PETE'S DRAGON, the story of a boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just happens to be a dragon. — © Photo courtesy of Disney

“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 Elliot. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliot 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.”-Disney

Bryce Dallas Howard is Grace, Robert Redford is Mr. Meacham and Oona Laurence is Natalie in Disney's PETE'S DRAGON, the adventure of an orphaned boy and his best friend Elliott, who just so happens to be a dragon. — Bryce Dallas Howard is Grace, Robert Redford is Mr. Meacham and Oona Laurence is Natalie in Disney’s PETE’S DRAGON. ©Disney

I was captivated from beginning to end and this movie had a way of drawing me in and I felt so invested the whole time. It is definitely going to become a classic that the children of this generation will remember and cherish from their childhood.

I really can’t wait to take my kids to see this movie, I know they will love it as much as I did.

Our reviewer Briann also had the chance to see Pete’s Dragon with her two girls and here are her thoughts on the movie:

“We were able to attend an advanced screening of Pete’s Dragon and my girls loved it! I asked the girls what they thought of it and Leah’s response was “Best Movie Ever!” I loved that they took a great classic movie and turned into another great movie that the entire family can watch together. I loved the way that Pete interacted with Elliott and that Elliott took on the role of really watching out for Pete. The girls favorite parts were when Pete played with Elliott. The movie was different from the original and yet just as exciting to watch. The way that Pete lit up the screen was amazing! This is the perfect movie to end the Summer with!”-Briann