THIS 'PETER PAN' FLIES TOO HIGH.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

THERE'S NO SHORTAGE of elements vying for your attention in P.J. Hogan's film version of the J.M. Barrie classic, ``Peter Pan.'' There are thousands of digital effects that make Pan's pixie dust more potent and vivid than ever, wonderfully detailed worlds and a commitment to maintaining a degree of faithfulness to the dark complexities inherent in Barrie's story. There's even - for the first time - a boy playing Peter Pan, and playing him pretty well at that.

So why wasn't I enchanted? Perhaps because Hogan has stuffed the movie so full of, well, stuff that the film is unable to cast the intended magic spell. It's a clear case of more being less, with the production design and special effects at times overwhelming the myth-making and turning it into the kind of whiz-bang extravaganza that's OK for the under-12 set but might be a something of a slog for anyone older.

Hogan, who also wrote the screenplay (co-credited screenwriter Michael Goldenberg had a first pass at the material), has good intentions, and in this case those count for something. To his credit, he doesn't try to completely smooth over the material's rough edges, even if his mandate - making a broad-based family film - justifiably dictates that he not spend much time dwelling on them.

Peter Pan may be the title character, but the catalyst for the film's action is 12-year-old Wendy (appealing newcomer Rachel Hurd-Wood), who stands on the precipice of puberty. Wendy knows she's growing up, and the idea even appeals to her in some ways, but part of her is understandably terrified at the prospect. So when Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) flies into her window, representing as he does eternal youth, adventure, selfishness and fun, Wendy and her brothers take off for Neverland.

Hogan hits all the high points - the mermaids, the Indians, the pirates' capture of Wendy, the crocodile's obsessive pursuit of Capt. Hook (well-played by Jason Isaacs, who also doubles as Mr. Darling) and the climactic sword fight between the pirates and the Lost Boys. All of these familiar scenes are faithfully and sometimes charmingly presented, but taken together they never quite manage to stir sustained levels of excitement.

Likewise, although Hogan hints at the romantic tension between Wendy and Peter and, more disturbingly, between Wendy and Capt. Hook (her dark fantasy of her father), he's too busy moving on to the next big adventure to meaningfully explore these relationships. Kids - lacking a ``Harry Potter'' movie this holiday season - won't object, but they won't be enthralled, either. Put it this way: They won't be trading in their wizard hats for the green felt numbers with the feather.

Glenn Whipp, [phone]

glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com

PETER PAN - Two and one half stars

(PG: adventure action sequences and peril)

Starring: Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Jason Isaacs.

Director: P.J. Hogan.

Running time: 1 hr. 53 min.

Playing: Wide release.

In a nutshell: Faithful adaptation gets off the ground but never soars.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) `PETER PAN'

(2) Peter (Jeremy Sumpter) represents eternal youth to 12-year-old Wendy (Rachel Hurd-Wood) in ``Peter Pan.''