Michael's "Newport"

The tale of Peter Pan and Captain Hook is being told again in Michael's bait "Newport", which first surfaced during the August Bait Tournament. It tells the story of how the classic enemies came to Never Never Land and how Hook became what most of the world knows him as. Consider it a prequel to the Disney classic.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn ("Stardust") and written by Rob Thomas (not the singer, the creator of "Veronica Mars"), "Newport" stars James Marsden as the title character, Stanley Tucci as Smee, Q'Orianka Kilcher as Tiger Lilly, and Ridge Canipe as Peten Pan.

The bait may have been too well-though out for its own good. The synopsis is brief and drifts away from what one believes the story is really about. Assuming by the title that the bait will mostly be about Captain Hook's life before Peter Pan, it becomes a story about how Peter Pan became the self-proclaimed leader of the Lost Boys. I was disappointed by this because I was hoping the bait would be about Hook and Hook alone, with Pan making a cameo appearance at the end. The plot could also detail more of the cast list and go more in depth into Hook's emotions.

The use of Rob Thomas as a screenwriter is a bit strange for me. "Veronica Mars" is edgy and cool, "Newport" is trying to be classic and magical. I can sort of understand the choice because Thomas is able to handle teen issues with maturity and "Newport" is taking an adult look at the story, but it still seems out of place.

Marsden and Tucci are the bait's only good chances at Big 8 awards, although Marsden could suffer category confusion but that didn't stop Oldman from winning in July. Tucci plays a role that everybody's knows and it is very showy, something that is usual Oscar bait. Unfortunately, the bait is just not good enough to sustain any other major awards.

Grade: C

Awards Contender:

Most Likely to Become a Box-Office Success

Best Casting Choice-Q'Orianka Kilcher

Best Actor-James Marsden

Best Supporting Actor-Stanley Tucci