Prequels are inherently kinda weird. From the get-go, you know where the story is supposed to end. Not only are you waiting for the right pieces to fall in place, you’re also looking for those, “heh, I see what they did there” moments.

“Pan” the prequel to the story we all know of Peter Pan is a kinda weird prequel. It’s a prequel that introduces a beloved character with a pointless opening 20 minutes, a confusing and misleading plot and the occasional breathtaking visual. 1/3 isn’t great, but it could be worse. By about a third if my math doesn’t fail me.

“Pan” has one of those “eye-roll” worthy scripts where the solution to all the film’s problems, would have worked almost exactly as well without the main character’s involvement. It’s full of confusing rules about how the world works, intentionally misleading gags that make the audience think they’re about to be given a puzzle piece they know should fit, only to have it snatched away. It’s a prequel in the vein of “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” it doesn’t make a ton of sense and ultimately will add nothing to the world it is clamoring so hard to be a part of.

As I alluded to, the visual effects and cinematography are the real saving grace of “Pan.” Where “Oz: The Great and Powerful” looked, felt and was clunky, at least Neverland is breathtakingly gorgeous. The wonder isn’t consistent throughout, but when it’s present, it’s tangible, it breaths life and direction into the film. All said, “Pan” isn’t what it could have been, and it’s barely passable at what it is. Despite the magic of Neverland, “Pan” is far from timeless.

4 of 6 stars