Pete's Dragon is yet another live-action retelling by Disney of a classic tale. It seems as though this year they have hit the ground running with both The Jungle Book and The BFG being released and movies such as Beauty and the Beast being announced. Unfortunately, the film fails to reach its promise and falls short of similar titles that have recently debuted. However, this movie also succeeds in several key ways that make it an enjoyable experience. This particular retelling does two major things that a film like The Jungle Book fell short of. The ones that immediately come to mind are the acting and relation to its source material. Oakes Fegley as Pete is both endearing and charming but most importantly believable. The same goes for Oona Laurence who plays Wes Bentley's daughter. A major gripe I had with The Jungle Book was Mowgli's portrayal. I was afraid that this movie would suffer the same fate because acting is such a difficult talent and it seems that there is a limited supply of really great child performers. The other thing that I appreciated from the film was that unlike these other retellings, it does not beat for beat copy the plot elements of it predecessor. The original Disney classic was a musical whereas this one is a drama focused on an orphaned boy's relationship with his best friend(the dragon Elliot) and his re-introduction into civilization. I admired the movie's decision to draw inspiration from a beloved property, without just creating an updated retread of the story it draws its name from. Elliot's fur and overall design was another high point of Pete's Dragon. I was skeptical from the previews about their decision to stray away from the usual look you see studios give dragons. Luckily, it really worked to the film's advantage because it enhanced the "boy and his dog" relationship they were going for. Elliot is still a daunting presence that possesses the ability to destroy anything in his path but he also comes off as a kind and gentle creature that simply wants to be left in peace. You can't help but think of your own dog when Elliot is sleeping on his back with his belly raised in the air. Through the first act, I began to question the filmmaker's decision to not give Elliot a voice. It wasn't until later in the story that I realized how this choice actually provides the character with another level of innocence and sympathy that otherwise would not be there. Now you may be asking yourself how I could say the movie falters with all the positive's I just listed? The main culprit is the film's goal of being a paint by the numbers feel-good story. I have no problem with these type of films when they are done right but when they are not, I am much less forgiving of their flaws. For example, I know that a movie like The Intern is cheesy and predictable but because it made be feel all warm and fuzzy inside I didn't mind its obvious negatives. However, with Pete's Dragon, I never felt much emotion and failed to resonate with its characters' struggles, making its flaws stick out. I was expecting a generic feel-good tale but I wasn't able to attach myself to the story. It kind of felt like although there are high-level stakes throughout the film, there was also this glossy overcoat of happiness in everyone's performance that prevented me from ever feeling fearful about a situation or viewing any of the characters' attitudes and actions as accurately resembling real-life. This lack of attachment I felt to the film is why it was simply ok for me and is why I give it a C. I think this is a movie to catch on DVR or rent from your local redbox on a Friday night.