1 Hooked on Hook
The roles of Captain Hook and Peter Pan take on a whole new meaning in "Hook." This is probably Spielberg at his best as he delievers us a comedy that kids and adults can enjoy together. I love this film and something tells me it's never going to go out of style.
In this you see the classic characters from J.M. Barrie's book come alive- In this Peter Pan is all grown up, a work-acholic with a wife and children(who is always letting down). Peter and his family decide to go to London as Grandma Wendy(his wife's grandmother)- "The Wendy" is having a ward dedicated in her name at the children's hospital for her dedicated service to orphans. Well, as Peter leaves his children that night to go to the dedication they are kidnapped by the evil Captain Hook who wants a final show-down between himself and Peter Pan. Peter finds himself bewildered at the children's disapperance. That's when Grandma Wendy tells Peter the truth about who is- Peter Pan- only one problem he dosn't remember any of it and thinks he is having a nervous breakdown as he is wisked away to Neverland by Tinkerbelle- a fairy. Peter must prepare for the battle of his life only a couple of problems- he can't remember anything about Neverland, how to fly, or how fight. So how can he save his children from the evil Captain Hook? And how did Peter Pan manage to grow up?
Hook seems more evil in the movie than, he ever did in the story or stage-play. Dustin Hoffman brings a certain villianious flare to the screen and had me terrified of what he was going to do the children. Julia Roberts sparkles as a fairy. By far, Robin Williams was the perfect choice for the role of Peter Pan-for I don't think he has ever really grown-up. The costumes and elaborate sets are interesting to see and the lost boys make this film interesting watch.
All in all this film and this timeless story of family, childhood, and adventure will never age- sit down with your children or grandchildren and get hooked on hook!
2 not HOOKED on this movie
I liked it but it was only okay. The beggining was very boring, and the end was vey boring. The middle was very strange, for example, Peter Pan (Robin Williams) was eating invisable food. Kind of strange if you ask me. Little kids would like it though.
3 This if a GREAT Family movie. triple A+
This movie is soooo wonderful. It is very Heartwarming, funny, dramatic, and great for families. And fathers and daughters to bond. I say that because when i was younger it was more often to see me on my dads lap watching this movie {or other movies with Robin Williams in them} then with any other member of my family. So if your between the ages of 3 and 8, and you and your dad or your mom are really close, this is one of many Robin William movies that i recommened you watch.
4 HOOKED ON HOFFMAN
HOOK is a typical Steven Spielberg movie, full of the magic and wonder of Never Never Land, and the joys of childhood disappearing when we grow older. It's grandiose and flagrant; pompous and pondering, but the heart of the story still maintains an impact: don't forget what it's like to be young. Robin Williams does a stoic job as the adult Peter Pan, but it was hard for me to see him as a swashbuckling hero; I think Spielberg also took a little too long for Peter's acknowledgement of who he is and that he can fly. Dustin Hoffman, one of the most consummate performers we've had, seems to be enjoying himself immensely in the role of Captain Hook, and he does a sterling job as always. Julia Roberts' Tinkerbell is a little too cloyish and schmaltzy, but she doesn't hurt the film. Bob Hoskins is delightful as Smee and Maggie Smith glows as Wendy. I hated John Williams score; it sounded like all his other ones and at times I wish they had kept the music out it became so redundant. Peter Pan has not been one of my favorite stories from childhood and I always felt it was funny that Mary Martin did the stage role---why make Peter a girl? But kids should enjoy HOOK and it is good film-making, just not that special to me!!!
5 Not great but why all the fuss??
This derivative Peter Pan movie was (and still is) absolutely panned by critics when it was released, some even calling it the worst Steven Speilberg movie ever. If anything, I think this film is very underrated. Sure, Speilberg has made much better films but calling Hook his worst is absurd because there really isn't anything terribly bad about it. It certainly has some humourous moments. Robin Williams is great in his portrayal of control-freak Peter Banning who has a fair bit of trouble coming to grips with his true identity and adjusting to Neverland which he has not seen in years. The movie also has some fabulous set designs and special effects that still look good even by todays standards. There's no obvious blue-screen work (I assume it was used) or CGi effects. Visually, this film is great.
In some ways the movie is silly. The Lost Boys tree house looks like a Disney theme park ride and the casting choices for the boys themselves seems a bit too PC. Many people also complain about Dustin Hoffman which I suppose is legitimate. Hoffman is quite funny as Captain Hook but he's not threating like he should be and spends most of his time mugging for the camera instead of acting. And the movie's message about discovering the child in yourself, while it is fine, is too forced. The film should encourage an idea or opinion, not ram it down the throat.
I agree Hook is not, by any stretch, one of Steven Speilberg's best films but it isn't his worst either. It's simply a flawed movie that is enjoyable.
Darkhorse86
6 LONG LIVE THE HOOK!!
The very concept of family entertainment just doesn't get better than this film!! I have to admit, I've never actually seen the original Disney version of Peter Pan but after watching this "remake" I would have to believe that the audience would probably get a stronger feel for the underlining power of the messages the original story is trying to bring out. And in my opinion, there's not a single filmmaker in history that can bring these kinds of messages to the screen better than Steven Spielberg!! Here we have a grown up Peter Banning taken back to his "roots", shall we say, as Peter Pan as well as to rescue his kids from the infamous Captian Hook in never neverland. Along the way he rediscovers the true power of childhood friendship and imagination. IMHO Spielberg is really at his best working with this kind of material. He's always done a great job at balancing out visually and emotionally the "earthly" world from the childlike essence of his "outer" world and even at times, bringing them together(Jurassic Park). I don't think you have to look any farther than Close Encounters of the Third Kind for evidence of that. I think Spielberg is one that really gets a kick out of playing with our emotions. I even remembered during an interview that when talking about a scene from Close Encounters, he really never considered the rationality of the scene as much as how he thought it would look visually or feel emotinally. Kinda brings note to how we experience the world as a child in the first place!! And not to take anything away from his ability to tell stories about the real world because there's absolutely no denying the power of classics such as Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, or The Color Purple. But it is indeed his fascination and understanding of childlike innocence that, along with this beautiful film, brings out the child in all of us!!
7 A decent piece of family fun
Contrary to popular misconception, this is not another Peter Pan film. This is very much a "what if" film, based upon the premise of what would happen to a Peter Pan, so heavily dependent upon "never growing old", if he were to grow old and forget his past. It makes an interesting contrast to the oft-repeated Peter Pan story.
Peter Banning (Robin Williams) is an obviously successful businessman, specializing in corporate hit and run raids it seems. In a depressingly common situation, he is slowly alienating his lovely wife Moira (Caroline Goodall) and children, due to his increasing obsession with his work. He also seems to be slowly forgetting his roots as an orphan, saved by Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith), the grandmother of his wife. So when he returns to England with his family to attend the dedication of a new wing at a children's hospital in Wendy's honour, he seems to be less focused on family than he should be. But he is shocked out of his monomania by the kidnapping of his children, by none other than Captain James Hook (Dustin Hoffman), and even more shocked when Wendy forces him to understand that he is actually the Peter Pan and that he has to go after the children. Slowly getting pickled on some alcoholic sustenance, he is further forced to confront his past when Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) arrives to drag him off to Never Neverland. No mean task for a guy who has forgotten everything about how he used to fly and why he did it anyway. Suffice it to say, he heads off to Never Neverland where the inevitable (less than successful) rekindling of relationships with Captain Hook and The Lost Boys takes place, with Tinkerbell and The Lost Boys taking on the task of trying to get Peter to remember everything about his past so that we can have the climatic battle between good and bad.
As long as one approaches the film not expecting a retelling of the classic Peter Pan story, then I have always felt that this was a decent piece of family fun, mixed with a decent dollop of good old family values. To return to it on DVD in all its widescreen glory is a delight after years of surviving on a rather mediocre VHS tape. There is obvious enthusiasm for the project from all concerned here, as the film moves along at a quite decent pace, despite its two hour plus length. The story could perhaps have been aided by a little judicious pruning here and there, but the cast have done a commendable job with what they were given to work with. Robin Williams is his usual sterlingly reliable self in the lead role, without going over the top - which would have been quite easy to do methinks. I have always found this a rather refreshingly different performance from Dustin Hoffman (he copped a Golden Globe nomination for it) and for some reason find him completely convincing as the Hook trying to recapture something that has long gone. The less said about Julia Roberts here the better, although it must have been difficult in a role where basically you would have been doing everything solo for insertion later into a shot. The highlight for me though is Bob Hoskins. Obviously the film is heavily based upon effects work at times, and to be honest the work is showing up its age a little now. However, it remains a rather decent piece of effects work overall.
8 Simply a Wonderful Movie...
I have to admit I love this movie and I do not know if I'll ever be able to refuse a chance to watch it. Is it absolute perfection and worthy of the award for best picture?? No. Is it a movie that is extremely well done, with a strong cast, and a great plot? Yes. Okay, it puts an odd twist on the Peter Pan story...he has grown up and lost his inner child. The original story of Peter Pan has been bent and twisted and mangled so many times over the past 100 years, however, that this adaptation does not bother me at all...in fact, it adds to the movie's meaning. If Peter Pan can grow up and forget how to be a child, then it can happen to anyone. Any one of us can lose that joy and innocence we find in the freedom of childhood. The good news is we can always find it again if we look hard enough. It takes some time and some hard work in this movie to help Peter realize the boy that he is inside...but he does get there.He rediscovers those things that truly made him happy and free in life. Children are always entertained by this movie and it has some very true themes and lessons for adults to learn. It is one of my favorite films, one of the most under-rated movies out there today, and it should be considered a modern classic. It is just too late to worry about Barrie's original tale being tampered with....it is beyond repair at this point. My advice is to get that book, read it, teach the original story to your children...then enjoy this one as a family. You will all enjoy it very much!
9 Hideously over-produced, loud, garish spectacle
When our son was about 7, he received this movie as a gift, and watched it pretty frequently. The other day it occurred to me, as the now 10-year-old boy was watching some movie, that he hadn't pulled "Hook" out of its case in about 2 years or so. I was finally able to put a finger on what had always annoyed me about this movie --- it is the sort of movie that an 8-year-old would produce, given an appropriate budget.
The sets are pretty spectacular, but seem to be an end in and of themselves. The presentation is simply relentless, and seems more focused on launching an all-out assault on the senses of the hapless movie viewer. Lost in all the hubbub & spectacle is a coherent plot. Apparently, the surface details are more important than a storyline, decent performances, etc. I doubt our son will be watching this anymore, and for this I am grateful.
10 Hook is one of the greatest stories ever told...
I used to watch this movie every day when I was younger on VHS, and I got the DVD last month and have watched it 3 times since getting it. (Buena Girl has it now, but I don't know if she's watched it...I hope she likes it as much as I do). I always liked the story of Peter Pan, but I especially liked this version. It is a real moving film, with it's emotional parts that are very important for both kids and adults to relate with, such as family issues, and having the courage to stand up for yourself to overcome overwhelming odds. It also, true to all Peter Pan stories, allows you to realize that theres a kid inside of all of us, and what this movie does that others don't do, is allow us to see that even though the kid in us is hard to find once we get older, it is still there and if we look hard enough we will find it. A great movie!!!
11 a sequel of peter pan? ^_^
First of all, I think this movie is not bad, but not too good either by comparing many other spielberg's movies. I watched the movie back in 1991 when it came out, I didnt realize its directed by Spielberg until just a while ago surfing in Amazon!
Anyway, I just found it really interesting that this movie can work as a sequel of "Peter Pan" the other Pan movie made in 2004, it pick up perfectly where "peter pan" left off. Peter sent Wendy and the kids back home at the end of "peter pan", he come back later try to visit Wendy again, but this time in "hook", Wendy has become an old lady as its been past 50 years since his last visit in earth time! Peter then fall in love with her grand daughter and stays and gets old and so the story of "hook" begins...
I mean how obvious this movie can work as a sequel and it was made 12 years before the first story. ^^
12 a sequel of peter pan? ^_^
First of all, I think this movie is not bad, but not too good either by comparing many other spielberg's movies. I watched the movie back in 1991 when it came out, I didnt realize its directed by Spielberg until just a while ago surfing in Amazon!
Anyway, I just found it really interesting that this movie can work as a sequel of "Peter Pan" the other Pan movie made in 2004, it pick up perfectly where "peter pan" left off. Peter sent Wendy and the kids back home at the end of "peter pan", he come back later try to visit Wendy again, but this time in "hook", Wendy has become an old lady as its been past 50 years since his last visit in earth time! Peter then fall in love with her grand daughter and stays and gets old and so the story of "hook" begins...
I mean how obvious this movie can work as a sequel and it was made 12 years before the first story. ^^
13 Just Think Of Happy Thought, Any Happy Little Thought!
I'm thirteen, and don't believe what the other people said, I LOVED this movie. It is GREAT for kids. This has got to be the greatest Peter Pan flick ever. I remember that they would play this all the time on television when I was little, and when I bought it, it was like all of those happy thoughts were coming back to me! No offense to Jason Isaacs, (he's a great actor, he was the only part of the 2003 movie, 'Peter Pan' that kept you entertained), but this is definately better than the new Peter Pan movie that came out. Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams were superb! I bought it with my own allowance, and it was worth every penny! A REAL CLASSIC.
14 Watch Peter Pan instead!!!!!!!
Belive me, I am being generous in giving this 2 stars. If it wasn't for CUTE little Maggie I would give it 1 star. In the first place, I don't like the whole concept of the movie. Peter Pan isn't supposed to grow up. That's the whole point! Sure, this movie has some good stuff in it but there's so much bad stuff it's not even worth it. Also it had a lot of bad words and gross insults. Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys (Rufio most of all!) were very irritating. I mean, skateboards and graffiti in Neverland? And another thing: Tootles was very, very creepy. The two best parts in it were when Moira was telling Peter Banning how little time they have with their children, and the other was when Maggie says "Look what Jack drew!" That part is really funny. I know some friends of mine really like this movie, so maybe it's a thing where you either love it or hate it. If you want to watch a Peter Pan movie, don't watch this (especially not with your kids): instead, watch P.J. Hogan's MASTERPIECE Peter Pan from 2003.
15 What's your happy thought?
This is a brilliant movie. Peter Pan has always been one of my favourite stories, and I still have the same J.M. Barrie book I had as a child, which continues on the story, with John & Michael growing up, and saying what everyone else was doing. I always skipped the rest of the story, and read the ending.
Peter Pan is now grown up, into the 'pirate', who ignores his wife and kids, to concentrate on an all important job. He's played brilliantly here by Robin Williams, a less comedic role for him this time. Also playing the old Wendy, is a fantastic actress by the name of Maggie Smith. She can turn her hand to anything, and still be wonderful. Tinkerbell is surprisingly played by Julia Roberts, which is quite strange. (Her nickname on the film set was apparently Tinkerhell) There's something not quite right about her playing Tinkerbell. For starters she looks nothing like the Tinkerbell more well known from the Disney movies, and when she becomes a 'big' Tinkerbell, and tells Peter she loves him, it's extremely unbelievable.
There are a lot of cameos in this movie, which I discovered by looking at the cast list. Gwyneth Paltrow is one of the more noticeable ones, in a blink-a-few-times-and-you'll-miss-her role. The kissing couple who begin to float when some fairy dust lands on them are actually George Lucas and Carrie Fisher in a cameo. The pirate shut in the chest with the scorpion was played by Glenn Close - I'll have to re-watch that scene, as it looks nothing like her! Also appearing in a tiny role is Phil Collins - weird I know, he plays a policeman.
Apart from the two extremely bratty children, what really annoyed me was the fact only Tootles was the only original Lost Boy in it. (If I remember correctly, did Wendy not take them all home with her at the end of the book? I haven't read it in years!) The other Lost Boys were: Slightly, Nibs, Curly, and the unnamed Twins.
John Williams does a terrific score to this, but mostly, it matches the scene at the time, and isn't very memorable after you've finished watching it. (That means don't play it to me, and try to make me guess it next time!)
Dustin Hoffman makes a great Hook. He's totally evil, although slightly OTT and camp at the same time! He has the right blend to make it just right. And Smee (Bob Hoskins) is fantastic! He's so funny! There are two great lines that he comes out with in this. These are:
Smee: I've just had an apostrophe.
Captain Hook: I think you mean an epiphany.
Smee: No... lightning has just struck my brain.
Captain Hook: Well, that must hurt.
and the bit where he's running about, just before he gathers up all the gold, where he's looking for Smee - who's him!
Watching this film on DVD, I found it had really aged. You can see the white lines, especially when they're flying, around the characters, and although I still love this movie, and give it four out of five, it just doesn't have the same magic as when you're young.
On the DVD is the usual: trailers, still galleries, interviews, featurettes, and a very weird set top game, which I can't get my head around.
If you can pick up this DVD cheap (I got it for Ł2.99, which I'm still shocked about), then it's well worth it. Wish I was still young enough, NOT to notice the white lines around the characters, and still believe they can fly.
16 One man and the search for his inner child...a great message
For a movie going on lucky 13 years old, it's still as fun to watch as it was the first time I saw it in the theaters. Peter Banning is a well off American lawyer married to the great grandaughter of Wendy Moira Angela Darling...Mora Darling. He also has two kids, Jack and Maggie. However, supporting for his family has become a full time job and as such he's forgotten all about having an imagination, playing with his kids, spending time with his family, and enjoying his life. And in the middle of all of this, there's Capt. James S. Hook, life long enemy of Peter Pan (Banning, though unbeknownst to him). In an act of vengeance, he kidnaps Banning's kids in the night, and tinkerbell comes home to bring Peter back to Never Neverland and make Peter remember the life he left behind and the fight that was never finished.
Mr. Spielberg went all out on this movie, and it shows. There's a lot of heart and soul here from the pirate ships to the lost boys hideout to London and back again. At the same time, there's a lot of heart in both the screenplay and the actors embodiment of the characters. I don't think there will ever be a Hook as good as the one that Dustin Hoffman has done in this film, Bob Hoskins is always a pleasure to watch and his comedic timing is near perfect, causing everything from a slight chuckle to uproarious laughter to pass your lips after each scene he's in, and William's Peter Banning/Pan, while extrodinarily silly and misguided at times, comes around brilliantly, and the first time you watch him fly you can't help but grin from ear to ear.
The child talent is always a risky business, but if you accept that the kids are not going to be the best actors in the world, you realize that most of them do the script justice, whether they know they are or not. Charlie Korsmo, along with Dante Basco, are clearly the most talented, carrying their scenes with Williams and Hoffman very well.
John Williams score is as wonderful as it ever was (you can hear some of the framework for the Harry Potter music in this particular score)...
And finally, there's the message..."never grow up". It's the same message from the original movie, but how it gets there is slightly different. As we watch Peter Banning remember and relive the life he left behind, we realize what he realizes; growing old doesn't mean you have to grow up...and you have to live...for that is the "great adventure".
At 2 hours and 20 minutes, the movie drags here and there a bit from time to time. And on no fault of the original production, the special effects of the film have not held up as well as they could have in the last 13 years. The movie is starting to look it's age. But I think no matter how old this movie gets, there will always be people who will be taken back by the simple premise of this movie and embrace it for the wonderful way it's taken the original Peter Pan story to a whole new level...and beyond.
17 "Rufio! Rufio! Rufioooooooooooooo!"
Why has this film been criticized? There's nothing to complain about Steven Spielberg's "Hook." It should be a classic; most people don't remember that it was nominated for a whole slew of Oscars.
First off, I'll cover the visuals. They're wonderful. The depiction of Neverland was incredible to behold. The effects and flying scenes nearly took my breath away, and the score by John Williams is truly magical.
And the performances worked. Robin Williams was a great choice for Peter Pan, and Dustin Hoffman hammed it up to perfection as Captain Hook. The story was pretty interesting, too. Peter Pan has lived his worst nightmare: he grew up, and has become a corporate "pirate." One night, while visiting Wendy (Maggie Smith) in London with his family, Captain Hook infiltrates the real world and kidnaps Peter's children. Even though he can't remember who he once was, Peter is aided by Tinker Bell (Julia Roberts), and journeys to Neverland to rescue his kids. The Lost Boys were hilarious, and Bob Hoskins stole the show as Hook's crooked assistant, Smee.
"Hook" is a film that people of all ages can enjoy. A rare combination of acting, storytelling, and visuals, we should add another movie to Spielberg's list of classics. This is magical, old-school entertainment at its best.
18 Great film, HORRIBLE DVD
Since there are so many other reviews available, I'll save my opinions on how great this film is and go straight to the DVD review.
First things first, the DVD version of "Hook" offers an increidble 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack that makes a huge difference if you've been getting by on the VHS edition. My room was shaking everytime the cannons went off with my surround sound. As for the picture, Hook has one of the most beautiful video transfers I've ever seen from a film to a disc. There were some absolutely gorgeous scenes of Neverland and spectacular menus.
Unfortunately, like most of Tri-Star's DVDs, this film is absent of extras. You get trailers for Hook and Jumanji, and some lame "Tallent Files" thing it looks like someone pulled off the Internet. That's it. They certainly have room on the disc for more, but I guess they're too lazy. With such a beatuful film transfer, a great director, and so many A-list actors, this DVD would be incredible packed full of featurettes and interviews. But alas, the viewer is resigned to wait until Tri-Star decides to release a REAL edition of this wonderful film on DVD.
19 Stupid
Just because two award-winning actors star in a movie, it doesn't automatically mean it'll be a good film. Some people commented on how badly the new Peter Pan was and actually preferred this version. I have no idea why. Hook's portrayal was over the top and not even dangerous. He was a total goof, almost more so than Smee. Peter Pan as an adult in tights after he returns to Neverland and the Lost Boys accepting him in...unlikely. And who the heck is this skatebording freak Rufio?
Even more annoying than Hook and the adult Peter Pan were Robin William's bratty little children. In fact all the children in Hook seemed like they fell out of the nursery somewhere or just learning to talk. They just seemed much to young to be Lost Boys. The ones in the new Peter Pan film, were far more realistic. They were kids being kids and having fun, but with enough intelligence to know what's going on aorund them. Julia Robert's Tinker bell was okay at best and far less mischevious. Boring.
The new Peter Pan is very much in line with J.M Barrie's version of him and a much better choice of film. The great part about it, it's played by an acual kid. The what-if take on Pan growing up just kills the whole essence of eternal youth that is Peter Pan.
A waste of a movie. Only watch when seriously, seriously bored.
20 Spielberg's mistake in "Hook" is that he miscast the film
I was totally enthralled by the dazzling remake of J.M. Barrie's classic story of the boy who did not grow up that came out last year from director P.J. Hogan. So I decided to go back and reconsider Steven Spielberg's 1991 film "Hook." In this version it turns out that Peter Pan did grow up. He fell in love with Wendy's granddaughter, Moira, decided to stay in our world, and does not remember anything that happened before the age of 12. With heavy-handed irony, Peter turns out to be a corporate raider (in other words, a pirate), who not only does not remember what it is like to be a child, he also ignores his own children. However, that all changes when Captain Hook makes his way to Granny Wendy's London home and kidnaps Peter's two children, Jack and Maggie. Tinkerbell shows up to help Peter remember who he is and take him to Never-Land to save the day.
A lot of Spielberg's films deal with the theme of the absent father and clearly a key part of "Hook" is that Peter, the father, remembers not only his true self but his own children. But the film does not provide the sense of magic we expect from Spielberg and I want to make the argument that the problem is not so much the story as it is the casting. You simply cannot have Robin Williams in a movie like this and not expect him to be Robin Williams, which means that several key scenes get spun in a way that is not necessarily in the best interest of the story. Throw into the mix Dustin Hoffman having fun playing Captain Hook, Bob Hoskins having almost as much fun playing Smee, and Julia Roberts as a very talkative Tinkerbell, and you have a lot of star power running around on screen.
The problem for me is what happens to Rufio, King of the Lost Boys, because that event changes the whole equation at play here. Because of what happens Peter cannot let Captain Hook off the hook, yet that is exactly what he does. I suppose it was too much for either Peter Pan or Robin Williams to do what had to be done in those circumstances, but this forces the film to come up with a way to have the right thing happen, albeit it in a comic way, without Peter having to get his hands dirty. Still I came back to what happened to Rufio and as the end game plays out in Never-Land I know in my heart that this is just not right.
The idea that the casting of the principles is off is confirmed for me when we get back to London town. The reaction of Caroline Goodall's Moira when her children come back and Maggie Smith's performance from start to finish as Granny Wendy seem to me to be grounded in the film that this one should have been. If Dame Maggie had been the only recognizable name in this film and the others had been even relative unknowns, then the message in "Hook" might have worked. In other words, this needed to be a Steven Spielberg film and not a Robin Williams movie. There is a lot of power to be mined from Barrie's original story, which is exactly what Hogan proved in creating the best "Peter Pan" movie of them all.
21 Not that bad
Sure Hook isn't Steven Spielberg's best but it's still a good movie. I think Peter Pan growing up and forgetting his past was a clever idea. If anything is bad about the movie it's the set pieces. The lost boys hide-out and the pirates village all seem like they are obviously a movie set. I think everything looks better in the new Peter Pan. I also didn't think it was necessary for one of the lost boys to get killed by Captain Hook. Critics were still too hard on it though. It's still fun and imaginative and the actors are great. Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell is surprisingly the best casting in the movie though. Bob Hoskins makes a good Smee as well. Dustin Hoffman is really good as Hook but he's not very scary. I think Jason Isaacs made a better one in the new version of Peter Pan. Hook, I just think has minor flaws but not enough to call it a bad movie. It still deserves a fair chance.
22 the best movie ever
Hook was my favorite movie when I was little, and it still brings tears to my eyes for the ending which leaves you with so many mixed feelings. With a soundtrack that matches the story up perfectly it is amazing how it tells such a good version of the story of Peter Pan, while adding it's own completely unique qualities.
23 A Cute Pirate Themed Movie!
I like the Peter Pan story and I like Pirate movies and when I saw Hook when it was playing in the movie theaters I enjoyed it, I especially liked the scenes on Captain Hook's pirate ship and the scenes in London and Wendy's house. Robin Williams was good as an adult Peter Pan and so were Dustin Hoffman as Hook and Bob Hoskins as Smee and I also liked Maggie Smith as the elderly Wendy. I highly recommend this movie and I'm thinking of maybe buying it on DVD!
24 Watch it once and throw it away
It gets tiresome watching movies of dysfunctional families that try to find their way to normalcy. Our culture has lost that sweet spirit and moral sense of values we once had more of, and this movie is the quintessential product of it. We would not show it to our children and the movie was bad enough that we just tossed it in the trash. Even so-so movies usually wind up down on the bottom shelf. Not this one - out in the garbage.
25 remarkable cast, average film, lame dvd
Only Spielberg could have assembled this dream cast: Maggie Smith as the aged Wendy, Robin Williams as the grown-up Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Hook, Bob Hoskins as Smee and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. The film has an interesting premise -- Peter has grown up and forgotten his past, but must remember if he is to rescue his two children from Hook -- but it takes too long to get going and it hasn't aged particularly well. It's still worth a watch but more of a rental than to buy.
The DVD extras are -- not there. There are trailers for Hook and Jumanji, and past credits for Spielberg, Hoffman, Roberts, Williams and Hoskins (why not Smith?). That's it. The film can be heard or subtitled only in English.
26 Hook: Film Review
Steven Spielberg's Hook is a fun-filled adventure. Peter Pan (Robin williams), has grown up! But when he discovers that his two children have been kidnapped by the evil Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) he is forced to return to Neverland, and with the help of Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) and his faithful Lost Boys, re-discover his childhood memories and rescue his kids from his old enemy, intent on destroying him. This film is very enjoyable and is the kind you would purchase on video, due to its indefatagable pleasure. It is true that this is not one of Spielberg's finest films, and when compared to his epics such as Jaws and Schindler's List, it is very weak. However I feel it is worth watching if only to view Dustin Hoffman's first class interpretation of J.M. Barrie's classic villian. Bob Hoskins is also excellent as Hook's right-hand man, Smee. Although this movie lacks many qualities that would make it a "great film," Its funny, enjoyable and well-acted. The fencing battles are well-presented and the 15 minute action scene at the end of the movie is as exciting as anything you will see. All in all, Hook should be perceived as no more then what it is: An enjoyable family movie. Nothing magnificent as far as the film industry is concerned - but certainly worth checking out.
27 Hook is a Classic
Hook is a great adventure that should be seen by all generations. Dustin Hoffman IS Hook, nobody could do a better job than him. All the acting in this movie is superb! Steven Speilberg is an awesome director. The only movie I can think of that was a terrible Steven Speilberg movie was A.I. and that's because it was going to be done by Stanley Kubrick(I'm not knocking Kubrick, but A.I. was a terrible movie). So if you haven't seen Hook you will definitely enjoy it!
28 Bangarang, Indeed.
This is poosibly the greatest film of all time. I loved it as a kid and rediscovered its greatness now, as a teenager. I am a huge fan of all things Peter Pan, and this definitely includes Hook. Everything is fantisticly done. I for one, love the Neverland aspect of the movie and find the Lost Boys (not to mention Rufio, Rufio, RU-FI-000O!!!) greatly entertaining. The review trashing the little kids in the movie is nonsense. These are kids, we're talking about. They did an excellent job and they are all extremely funny. The actors all do such a magnificent job, as well as the writers. My friends, family, and I all have inside jokes that include lines from the movie. Some classic lines:
Jack: Bad form!
Lost boy: Man stop!
and this one:
Peter:He really did lose his marbles.
Lost Boy(I forget his name -ahh): Yeah, he lost 'em good.
There are so many funny and unforgettable lines, I can't even begin to post them.
So to everyone who purchases this film, BANGARANG!!
And to those who don't, BAD FORM!
29 Bangerang!!!!!!!!
Simply wonderful, great cast, great story and magical visuals. Robin Williams is Peter Pan all grown up, but his forgotten past returns when his children are kidnapped by Captain Hook, a fantastic performance by Dustin Hoffman. Other cast members include: Julia Roberts as tinkerbell, Maggy Smith as the now aged Wendy, Bob Hoskins as Smee and look out for the early film appearance of Gwyneth Paltrow as young Wendy.
Although the film does have some fairly dark undertones that some parents might feal unsuitable for very young children, it is an extremely enjoyable experiance for the young and the young at heart and you'll want to watch it again and again.
30 Hook..Whine, and Stinker!
HOOK is only notable for its casting of Dustin Hoffman (Captain Hook), Robin Williams (Peter Pan), Julia Roberts(Tinkerbell?), and Bob Hoskins (Smee). The film starts off well with the grown-up Peter Pan (Williams) who is now Peter Banning with no memory of being Pan. He has grown-up problems, is unhappily married, has a couple of rotten kids, and is interested in chasing the big bucks. He goes to London to visit his Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith) to get some advice and recapture his lost youth. Suddenly his kids are kidnapped (by Captain Hook) he is forced to face his past (with the help of Tinkerbell/Roberts) and become Peter Pan and must go to Neverland. This is where the film falls. The children characters are not very likable (if not annoying) and Neverland looks like a cross between Disneyland and the sets of the original Star Trek when Kirk and crew are on some alien planet terrain. Speilberg's direction is haphazard and disjointed in the Neverland sequences as he uses the same type of direction he employed to make another failure of his (the film '1941'). Robin Williams is decent as Pan, but has no chemistry with the children who have no chemistry among themselves. Julia Roberts was truly a marketing ploy, but does a great job as Tinkerbell, and Hoffman has presence in everything he does but the film doesn't gel. Siskel and Ebert commented that Neverland had been explored all ready, so the filmakers should have had an urban/modern setting for the battle between Hook and Pan. That would have been interesting! The film is okay in the beginning exploring the questions of lost youth and the origin of 'Peter Banning', but overall, once the film shifts gears into fantasy, it fails. This is mainly because the 'Neverland'sequences are badly directed, the setting looks cheap, and the whiney children and all the inhabitants of Neverland are all terrible.
31 A great imagination!
One day I got bored and started to watch Steven Speilberg's Hook and ever since me and my brother watched over and over for weeks. I highly recomened this to anyone who likes adventure,fun,fanasty, and a great imagination.I'm not much of a Peter Pan fan but I still love it!But i am a Steven Speilberg fan a REAL BIG fan!I hope you like this movie as much as I do.Wait you have to know that in the begining it is sort of series I guess,but its still entertaining "I think".By the way I wrote 2 other reveiws today Critters 3,and Critters 4 I hope your a fan!I write many reviews on amozon you should too its very fun!My name is Drew Story.
32 Spielberg and Colombia Pictures do not mix...
HOOK, a very flawed 1991 fantasy film based on the Peter Pan story was doomed from the start. It had Robin Williams in it (who has made only two good movies in his whole career). It had Dustin Hoffman, who is a great actor, but is so wrong for this part. And then we have Julia Roberts who is about as believabel as Tinkerbell, in much the same way that Matt Broderick was miscast in Godzilla. It was a bad movie that was neither a hit with critics or the public, and led to Colombia Pictures being taken over by Sony, which has not been any great improvement.
33 Grownup fun with a serious side...
I love grownup versions of classic children's stories, such as "Ever After" (a grownup Cinderella) and this movie, "Hook", a very grown-up Peter Pan. "Hook" takes a sobering look at the downside of being "grownup"- our propensity for taking ourselves and our responsibilities far too seriously, forgetting how to have fun along the way, and how it harms our relationships with our families, especially our children. Robin Williams as the grown-up Peter shows what a truly good actor he is in this movie, and that his comic genius is but one of his talents. Dustin Hoffman, always a show-stealer, does not disappoint. His "Hook" is at once funny and a very scary guy, at one point even killing the leader of the Lost Boys - this is definitely not your kids' Peter Pan. The supporting cast do an excellent job as well.
The visuals are imaginative and engaging, such as the child-pleasing bright crayon-colored foods at their banquets, and serve to remind us of how life is different through the eyes of a child - Bright green ketchup? Cool! - and what fun it was to "think outside the box" before it was educated and conformed out of us. Hook himself remembers this, and uses this knowledge to steal Peter's disillusioned son away from him, an act of revenge that forces Peter to re-learn the art of having fun in order to rescue him from the despicable Hook. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
On a more serious note, "Hook" is a cautionary tale to which many of us "grownups" need to pay close attention, living in a society as we do that places (or should I say "misplaces") so much emphysis on providing material goods - the newest, the biggest, the brightest, the best of everything - that we are in real danger of neglecting the one and only thing our kids really need - our time - time for guidance, time for teaching, time for discipline, and time for just plain fun. Hook is very real, and he manifests himself in terrifying ways - drugs, alcohol, sex, and the human predators that offer these to our children on a daily basis. I am very glad I bought this video, because I can take it out and watch it any time life gets too serious and I need a reminder of what is really important.
34 Second star to the right and straight on until morning
Hook is a great movie for eveyone of all ages. How Peter Pan grew up, and Forgets every bit of who he was. Only when his children are kidnapped by his old foe Captain James Hook, does he finally realize who his really is. At first when he gets to Never-Never Land, he thinks it is all a dream, and that he could never have been Peter Pan, but after some time there,and a little help from the Lost Boys, does he realize the he is the great Peter Pan. After defeating Hook for the last time, and putting a new lost boy as the leader does he finally get to go back home, where he finally starts to see the world through opened eyes.
35 Very cute and entertaining.
People can't seem to agree on how this movie is rated. Unfortunately, it might be a "love it or hate it" thing, in which case reviews are meaningless. I will go ahead and say that I LOVED this movie as a child (well, preteen), and all of my friends did too. I actually liked the Lost Boys, especially Rufio, whose whole character I found very interesting. I didn't like the skateboard bits, but if I were a little boy, I might.I absolutely LOVED Hoffman as Hook - he was funny and sinister all at the same time ("I'm going to do it, and don't try to stop me. Smee, don't you dare try to stop me, Smee, try to stop me. Smee! Try to stop me, I'm commiting suicide here!"). Robing Williams is excellent as always, and Pan's children do a fantastic job. I really empathized with the little girl when I was little. There are a few flaws (I didn't like Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, actually), but overall this movie is definitely worth a rent. Good for the young and the young-at-heart (sorry for the corny line!), I highly recommend it.
36 What "Lack of Magic"?
What if Peter Pan really did grow up? I beleive Mr. Speilburg got it right with this one. His capability is transmogrifying book to film is masterful. Although there are a few minute mistakes, such as Hook's hook suppossedly on the right rather than the left, this film invokes the soul of J.M. Barrie's magical story.
Robin Williams (Good Morning Vietnam) is a perfect choice for Peter Pan, now grown up and known as Peter Banning. Peter, whose past as a free-sprited and ageless Pan, has long forgotten Neverland. Instead his life is about stocks, cell-phones, and an ironic fear of heights. He comes home one night to find that both of his children, Jack and Maggie, have been kidnapped by none other than Captain Hook himself. Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith; Harry Potter I-II)tries hard to explain to him that only he can save his children, for he is really the great Peter Pan.
Dustin Hoffman's (Tootsie) portrayal as Captain James Hooks is remarkable. He emobodies the charecter with wonderful acting skill, right down to Hook's grace, manners, and a distorted belief of "good form". All of his pirate crew, including the lovable Mr. Smee (Bob Hoskins; Who Framed Roger Rabbit)put on a wonderful show.
I hope you enjoy following along with Peter makes as he makes his final trip to Neverland. And with the aid of Tinker Bell (Julia Roberts; Erin Brockavitch) and the Lost Boys, he must remember how to fight, how to crow, and most importantly how to fly, in order to save his own two children from the cunning and evil grasps of Capt. Jas. Hook.
37 To little here for the kids.
I have watched this one a couple times. The boring parts are just to frequent and long. Like the poorly done Popeye, we just wait to long for the cool stuff. then when we get to the cool fight at the end, they kill off the Lost boy that my kids liked the best!
Unfortuneately I bought it on VHS before I saw it. What saves the movie is that one can FF thru all the poor sections of the movie. Also, why make a movie for kids and kill of the second most interesting good guy?!
38 lacks magic
My son is obsessed with the Disney cartoon of Peter Pan, so it was natural that he would want to see this. One of my joys with my kids is revisiting things that I loved at their age as well as discovering new things. Unfortunately, though the incomparable Spielberg was involved, this film is wholly lacking in that indefinable magic that makes for greatness. I found the whole thing flat, the acting poor to fair even with Robin Williams, and the attempt to add on to an wholly contained work of art a dimsal failure. You shouldn't try to make a knockoff of something that stands perfectly on its own. This is the worst that I ever saw in a Spielberg film. The only things going for it are special effects and rollicking violence.
Not recommended.
39 A Quintessential Classic
Hook, of the greatest action/adventure movie of all time. With a Star cast including: Dustin Hoffman (Captain James Hook), Robin Williams (Peter Banning), and Julia Roberts (Tink). A workaholic, Peter Banning has no time for his family. The family takes a trip to London to visit Granny Wendy because she is to receive an award. While at the award ceremony, Peter•Ŕ?s children are captured. A note is left by the kidnapper signed, Captain James Hook. Tink takes Peter to Neverland, where he is to fight the dark and sinister Hook for his children. Peter has to learn to find his happy thought and become the old Pan in three days. And so the Great War between good and evil begins. Hook receives the five stars of excellence for being one of the greatest films of that year.
The musical score for Hook is an essential part in this mind blowing movie. John Williams makes this score a quintessential example of how to capture emotion. The piece was actually intended on being a musical for Peter Pan, before Stephen Spielberg wanted the score for his movie. The music does exactly what every musical does; it creates music that becomes very present in one•Ŕ?s memory. Most musicians would categorize this score as more pop than the average score. John Williams actually started writing the score before he even saw the completed version of the film. John basically had to go off of a script to write the music. John had to create his own Neverland in his head to create the right emotion he wanted to present to the audience. One section of the score is called, •Ŕ?Presenting the Hook.•Ŕ? The scene starts out with Smee carrying Captain Hook•Ŕ?s hook all over the ship. The pirates start chanting, •Ŕ?Hook, Hook, Hook,•Ŕ? as they follow Smee. Mr. Williams creates perfect pirate music. It is filled with: horns, violins, tambourines, flutes, and drums. The sound creates the image of a pirate ship in one•Ŕ?s mind. The battle sequence is another great section of work called, •Ŕ?The Ultimate War.•Ŕ? There are great sums of percussion, such as cymbals and cowbells. These percussion sounds, especially the cowbell, paints a picture of the preparation of war. Then one hears the upbeat sounds and at that moment, Peter has transformed into a hero. Eerie and evil sounds are played into the audiences ears. This sound is the presents of Hook. As the section continues the tempo increases drastically. The score is one of the top elements in making this movie superior to other movies.
Captain James Hook, played by Dustin Hoffman, gives this movie what it needs to become a classic. Captain Hook is the leader of the scum of Neverland (also known as pirates). Hook has grown tired of killing Indians and lost boys. The climatic adventure in his life would be to kill Peter Pan, his arch nemesis. Dustin Hoffman did a magnificent job creating this character. One of the most valuable elements of his character was his appearance and voice. The costume designer designed his costume exactly like it is in the Walt Disney version of Peter Pan. From the wig to the mustache, Dustin fits the part. Dustin•Ŕ?s voice is the ideal voice of a pirate. His voice gave one a feeling as if one had left Great Britain and had been captured by pirates. Dustin Hoffman•Ŕ?s character had to be nothing but fun to act.
This movie is a perfect example of a monomyth. Peter•Ŕ?s call to action is that his children have been captured and he has to go and save them. Tink takes Peter from the house in London and he crosses the threshold into Neverland. He leaves the social realm and goes forth into the supernatural realm. Peter has to find his happy thought, so that he can fly. His gift is hidden within himself. The trials he faces are the Ultimate War between the lost boys and the pirates. His ultimate trial is fighting Captain James Hook. He defeats his opponent and takes his children home. When he leaves Neverland to go back to London, he emerges back into the social realm. Peter brings back what he has learned from his experiences. Not the gift of flying, but the gift of loving his family more and living life to the fullest.
The overall score for this movie is Five Stars out of Five Stars. The score is based on the musical score, characters, and plot. One essential element is the score written by John Williams. The score brought to story to life. Another element evaluated was Dustin Hoffman•Ŕ?s role of Captain James Hook. The last element taken into consideration was the how the plot was planned. The plot used the journey of a monomyth. The journey of the monomyth has been used in many other great films, such as Star Wars. This movie has become a masterpiece that other directors should model after .Hook is truly magnificent
40 Heartwarming film!
I watched this movie when I was really young and I loved it then. I watched it again today and I love it still!
Peter Pan, having been put up for adoption in the "real world" by Wendy and grown up, is now Peter Panny, a lawyer who is too busy to appreciate his wife and two children, Jack and Maggie. Peter goes to his daughter's play, but is on his cellphone the entire time. He compeltely misses Jack's baseball game, and when Jack is bitter about it and acting childish, Peter tells him to 'grow up.'
Then Captain Hook kidnaps Peter's children as revenge, Tink whisks Peter off to Never Never land - where he firmly believes he's hallucinating. He remembers nothing of being Peter Pan, the lost boys, Captain Hook, or anything. In order to save his children, he must find the child within himself. And the only way to accomplish that is by having the Lost Boys and Tink help him. He must learn to stop being the selfish lawyer who is too busy for everybody and start being a person who appreciates life and sees everything as an adventure. Meanwhile, Jack is taking the opposite route and giving up his childhood while being held captive.
The movie is a wonderful tale, and it brings a new life to the Peter Pan story. The visuals are outstanding and the movie does an awesome job at creating a real, live Never Never Land where there are mermaids, paint fights, pirates, and the tickety tock of the crock.
The acting is superb, and I don't think they could've picked anybody better to play Peter Pan and Captain Hook than Robin Williams and Hoffman.
It's an all around great film for the whole family. It gives even the most cynical of adults the hope that maybe we can all find the child within us and learn to live that way.
41 Good for terrifying children
Spielberg managed to do something I would not have thought possible- take a story that has charmed children for decades, and make it into something that will give them nightmares.
The pacing is off, the perfomrances are very mixed, and the story is too boring for adults and far too terrifying for children. One for the bin.
42 Interesting Concept, Executed Well
What if Peter Pan did grow up, and even forget who he was? Robin Williams plays Peter, now head-hunting, merger-master, take-over artist executive, trying to find a minute here and there for his family. They visit the aging Wendy (Maggie Smith), and the evil Captain Hook kidnaps Peter's kids. The only way Peter can get the back is to remember who he is and recover his old magic.
Robin Williams does a good job playing the busy executive with a good heart in there somewhere. Dustin Hoffman steals the show, though, as the deliciously evil, delightfully over-the-top Captain Hook. The story is good, although it drags a bit about a third of the way through.
This is not a film to watch over and over and over again, but it can be enjoyed once every two years or so.
43 Slow moving and overlong
This movie could have been great but it is far from it.
It is probably one of the worst movies Robin Williams
and Dustin Hoffman ever made. It is slow moving and
about an hour too long. Most of the scenes with the Lost
Boys could have been eliminated.
44 Slow moving and overlong
This movie could have been great but it is far from it.
It is probably one of the worst movies Robin Williams
and Dustin Hoffman ever made. It is slow moving and
about an hour too long. Most of the scenes with the Lost
Boys could have been eliminated.
45 What a wonderful telling of an old tale
I have always loved Robin Williams and this movie did nothing, but strengthen that love. This is the story of Peter Pan with a few additions to the traditional tale, but they compliment the original story well.
46 TAKES YOU BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD!!
This is an excellent movie for all ages, I loved when i was a little girl, I just saw it agagin and I adored it, I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to see a movie with a touch of magic;)
47 Good ol' fun
I remember when I saw this film way back when, and now that I've just seen it again last night, I remember just how great it is! It's a wonderful jaunt though the world of the imagination, an escape to a world that has enthralled readers and filmwatchers for decades. 'Hook' is a lighthearted break from reality suited for anyone who enjoys a little fantasy.
48 An excellent movie
I love this movie. Actually, I love anything that Steven Speilburg directs, but hey. This movie is a good follow-up to Peter Pan, with everything from funny moments to special effects. It dragged on a little at the beginning, but after that it was great fun. I love all the suspense (such as when the hook on the window is opening; or when the dead crocodile comes back to life for a moment and eats Hook) and I love all the scenery (such as the full views of Never Land). If you want to see a decent Peter Pan sequel thing, rent it. You most likely won't be disappointed.
49 Not what I'd call the original
So Robin Williams is Peter Pan? And I'm the Knight in Shining Armor. And the only reason Julia Roberts is Tinkerbell (which isn't much of a role), is that she is Julia Roberts. Dustin Hoffman is laughable as Hook, as is Bob Hoskins as Smee. In fact, this whole episode is an embarrassment to J.M. Barrie, and I'd recommend you read the book instead. The one called Peter Pan, or rent or buy Mary Martin's Peter Pan. Cyril Ritchard was much better as Hook. Captain, that is.
50 So Sweet I ,Violently Love It
This is absolutely one of the sweetest and best movies I've ever seen.
The Story is heartbreakin' and the roles are played with full emotions ex: Maggie Smith plays very emotinal as Granny Wendy I love her in that role, I'm speachless What more could I possibly say than this: Memorable, Divine, Halo over each it's stars: Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, Robbie Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins, Legendary, and most of all A story that will live on forever in our hearts.
51 To Always Be A Little Boy and Have Fun
"A children, except for one, grow up." So starts a classic tale that has captured children's imaginations for generations. I have never met anyone who didn't know the story of Peter Pan, nor have I ever known a person who at some point in their childhood didn't vow to never grow up. When I was very young, though, the thought crossed my mind, "What if Peter Pan did grow up?" For those who wonder, we have Hook.
Unfortunately, this movie is highly under-rated for petty reasons. Some people claim that the modernizing of the Lost Boys was wrong because there was no basketball or skateboards when the book was written. You can make many excuses as to why Spielberg made that choice, but there is a very practical reason for it - if this movie was released to children in the 1990s then the children would have to be able to idenify with the Lost Boys, recognize that they were living a life of fun and adventure - by modern standards. The other critisicm is usually directed towards Spielberg himself, saying that he needed to stop doing children's movies. That is, of course, ridiculous. Spielberg is the ultimate storyteller, no matter what story he chooses, and no one has the right to tell him what kind of movies he should be doing.
The truth is, the movie is magical. When I first watched it as a little girl in the movie theatre I was blown away. Robin Williams was the perfect Peter Pan, and made a wonderful transition betweeen the cold business man to his old alter ego. Maggie Smith gives a moving performance as Wendy. I remember watching the scene where Peter's son Jack tells Wendy what Peter does for a living and Jack tells Wendy about how his father "sails in, and if there's any resistance he blows them out of the water!" My heart caught in my chest as I saw Wendy, with a mix of amusment and sadness on her face say, "So... Peter you've become a pirate!"
On the other side you have a brilliant portrayal of the terrible Captain Hook by Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman puts his own brilliant twist on the role, but still leaves the quirkyness, humor and tragedy of the Hook we all adore. Bob Hoskins compliments him perfectly with his performance as Smee.
There is a lot of sadness to this movie as the audience sees that the Peter Pan everyone has known has forgotten how to fly, fight and crow. It broke my heart when the Lost Boys finally realize that Williams really is Peter Pan and you hear one of them say, "Peter... you grew up. You promised never to grow up Peter." We get our Peter Pan back, of course, and with the accompniment of another amazing John Williams score we feel the magic of Neverland once more.
Who will like this movie? It depends on what kind of person you are. Some say it's too long, but as a child my eyes never left the screen for a moment. The REAL question is - Do you believe? Yes, that's the question - Do you believe that Neverland is really just a place between sleep and awake... that it's all a dream? Or do you believe it's really there - you've got your happy thought, you believe in fairies and you're ready to fly on the back of the wind?
If you believe the latter, if you are a child at heart, then this movie will touch a special place in your soul - the place that never grew up...
52 Hook, hook, give us the Hook!
The only oddity in the Spielberg cannon, Hook sticks out like a sore thumb from the director's output during the late 80s to early 90s. Critically mauled on its release, the film has been seen by some intelligent critics as an underrated film that, with closer inspection, isn't as bad as most critics thought.
Robin Williams is Peter Banning, the corporate Wall Street businessman type who was once Peter Pan, but who has long since forgotten all about his childhood. Then along comes Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) to kidnap Peter's kids and take them to Neverland. Peter is then faced with having to remember who he is so he can rescue his kids. Grannie Wendy: "You must try to remember" Peter: "Remember what?"
The Spielberg themes are clearly displayed in the first half hour with the busy father never managing to spend time with his kids. And bits and pieces of the classic Pan tale were seen in E.T. Here the director's trademark visuals and astounding imaginative ideas are spread all throughout the film. One scene in particular, where Peter's kids are "hook-napped", where we see the "light", once used to touching effect in Close Encounters, here symbolising fear. John William's brilliant score underlays the themes and emotions, producing a great soundtrack to accompany the film.
Then it's off to Never Never Land, where Peter must try to remember who he is to save his kids. The problem is, once the film gets to the fantasyland, events get somewhat clustered with a number of overly loud visuals. And despite some great lines between Williams and Hoffman, the film tends to slip into sentimentality often, and Williams gives an uneasy, stilted performance as Peter when he is trying to remember. Sure, the effects are great and the strong Spielberg themes are nice, but until the finale (where we are greeted with a huge battle between good and evil, classic Spielberg), the film drags on for some time with some uneasy emotions and action.
The principal acting is good, with Hoffman barely recognisable but portraying the title character to good effect. Williams, although not his usual one-liner comic self, is at least an enjoyable character once he reverts back to being Peter Pan. Bob Hoskins (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) plays the character of Hook's assistant Smee with relish. The only disappointment is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. The casting is unusual however, in that Spielberg's films usually make stars like Harrison Ford and Sam Neill, but here, working with established stars, Spielberg's vision is over-clouded by a bunch of big-name actors.
But the sets, visuals, music and class storytelling redeem the film, and although it's not one of the director's best, it's still an enjoyable adventure.
53 A Spielberg Film That Just Sits There--It's Inert
Aside from "1941", HOOK is the only Steven Spielberg I have ever seen that I can comfortably live without in my video collection. To this day, a little over ten years after having first seen it, my impressions of the film have barely budged at all. There's lavish sets, huge crowds, spectacular special effects, and a trio of normally first-rate actors--namely Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, and Julia Roberts. But there is simply no memorable movie-going experience given all this and the man behind the camera.
Spielberg has often cited his love for the Peter Pan story, and critics, both friends and enemies alike, have portrayed him as the real-life Hollywood version of Peter Pan. Thus, it was perhaps inevitable that he would make a film on the legend, resetting it in modern times. The problem is, however, he spent gargantuan amounts of money (at least $60 million) on sets, stars, and special effects that he forgot to put a real, effective story.
Hoffman, under all that make-up, makes for a very devious title character who kidnaps the kids of Peter Pan (Robin Williams), who is now Peter Banning, businessman. Indeed, Hoffman's performance is one of the highlights of this shockingly inert fantasy film; the legendary Maggie Smith's performance as Wendy is the other. Williams, normally a comic genius, gets very little to work with here; he is just plain bland. And Roberts tries to be cute as Tinkerbell, but instead gives probably the tackiest performance of her career. And the kids who play the Lost Boys are absolutely the most obnoxious bunch!
Not even John Williams' great score can save this staggering disappointment from Spielberg. HOOK only went to show that bigger isn't always better, especially if the story just sits there on the screen and does nothing. One expects more from Spielberg than this. Thankfully, he was able to recover yet again, as he had after "1941", going on to give us JURASSIC PARK, SCHINDLER'S LIST, and more.
54 Spielberg strikes gold!!
I first saw this film when I was a kid and I've loved it ever since. What can one really say about Robin Williams? He shines in almost every role he's ever taken. This picture is strictly for the kids and it does succeed in entertaining them, at least I think so. Spielberg's reimagining of the classic franchise does more in my opinion than any Disney or Broadway production could ever do. Williams shines as the decadent Banning who rediscovers his youth, Hoskins is hilarious as Smee, Dame Maggie Smith is heartwarming and touching as the aged Wendy Darling and who can forget the charming Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, who provides more character to that fairie than that annoying mute variation that opens up every edition of the Wonderful World of Disney can ever do.(This is not a knock on Disney because that company remains one of the greatest film studios of all time; Walt truly was a visionary for his age). If you don not enjoy this film, I guarantee your kids will.
55 Underrated masterpiece!
You must see this movie! It is a spectacular wonder. Robin Williams as the slightly neurotic Peter Banning (Pan) gives a fabulous performance. Julia Roberts is adequate in the role of Tinkerbell. However, there are two other stars in this movie that steal the show (which is hard to do when Robin Williams is in the movie). Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy gives an endearing performance. Even moreso, Dustin Hoffman is Captain James Hook. There is no one who could have played this role except Dustin Hoffman. His performance could make you believe that Captain Hook really exists. Under it all, John Williams' score is breathtaking. Unbelievable movie, performances and score. Five underrated stars!!!
56 Okay, I'm Hooked
This DVD holds our house record for the longest continous time in the DVD player- 9 straight days. My kids wouldn't watch anything else after we got it.
I've enjoyed this movie much more watching it at home than I did when it was released in the theaters. It's hard to explain why. Maybe because my children can watch it. It may be because the Dolby 5.1 surround is crisp and the careful transfer is wonderfully clean. Could be that Neverland is green again, unlike the brown I recall in the theater.
Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams received very little credit for their work in this film, but should have. Both are very enjoyable in their scenes. Not many bonus features are available on this disc, however.
This movie suffers from what many of Spielberg's films suffer from- impossibly high expectations, and the shadows of blockbusters like E.T., Jaws, and Close Encounters. Still, it is a fine addition to your Spielberg collection. And your kids will love it.
57 Bits and pieces are worth the price of admission
This movie could have been great. The scenes with Hoffman and Hoskins are superb and worth the price of the VHS. It's just too bad that you have to wade through tinkerbell and the lost boys to get to the good stuff. My kids love it though and I am able to watch it over and over and over and over because of the good parts. (My kids will come and find me to tell me my favorite part is coming up) Unfortunately Hoffman, Hoskins and Smith were not able to pull the rest of the cast up to their level of artistic abilities.
58 hmmm......
First of all not everyone is going to like the same movie.
Second I think that this movie showed a great portrayal of how fun life was when you were a kid. You get the biggest urge of wanting to be a part of Neverland. The leading roles Hook, Peter Pan, and tinkerbell were handled beautifully. I liked how the movie combined the elements of adventrure, fantasy, and love all into one. The music scores were set at perfect places, and fit in very well. However I noticed a few flaws; the setting of neverland looks more like a movie set, Hook was well played, but his lines could have been written better, and that took most away from his threating image, the lost boys seemed too lost to understand how to act like there from neverland and not a junior high school. Other than that this movie was hopeful, and heartwarming
59 Even The Greatest Can Get It All Wrong
Steven Spielberg is arguably the most talented and most succesful movie Director ever. I love most of his films to varying degrees. He is an incredible talent but I'm sorry I, like Siskel and Ebert before me (and many other people), just don't like this movie. It's not that it's awful, it's just not very good and generally forgettable I'm afraid to say. Okay it's got a stellar cast (Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts and Bob Hoskins etc.) but it really fails to catch the imagination of either kids or adults (and even Spielberg reportedly conceded this).
You'd have to ask whether it was a good idea in the first instance to make Peter Pan an adult in what is essentially a kid's story in this unfortunate adaptation of the classic JM Barrie tale, that just doesn't work. What was wrong with the original story that they had to change it? if it aint broke then don't try to fix it is the old addage that Spielberg should have heeded but on top of this the film is even, dare I say it, technically ropey. I mean is it just me or do the movie sets look like movie sets and isn't the script amazingly poor by the great maestro's standards? The cast can't save it either, they're all fine but essentially wasted and is it any coincidence that this movie went 40 days over its 76 day shooting schedule, during a particularly turbulent time in Julia Roberts life (does anyone remember Kiefer Sutherland?). Don't get me wrong I'm not blaming Ms Roberts for the movies failure. It wasn't her fault and I greatly admire her work but it's symptomatic of a movie that just doen't work and it goes to show you that even the greatest occasionally get it all wrong...( and so there's hope for us mere mortals yet)!
60 A Neverending Magical Fairy Tale
Steven Spielberg's Hook is a wondrous film full of great color and fantastic visuals. It's the kind of warm and fuzzy movie to be enjoyed time and again. Robin Williams stars as a grown up Peter Pan(now named Peter Panning), who doesn't remember who he really is. While on a trip to Old Wendy's place, his two children are kidnapped by Captain Hook. With the help of Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, Peter has to go to Never Never Land to save his kids, battle Captain Hook, and realize that he is the one and only Peter Pan. The costumes are great, the sets are awe inducing, and the actors are all game. People, I ask you, who is better at playing at a person who refuses to grow up than Robin Williams?. I don't think the part could of been better cast. Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook is an image to behold. It's a classic Hoffman performance. Keep an eye out for cameos by Phil Collins, Glenn Close, and a very young Gwynneth Paltrow. This movie should entertain kids and adults alike. Kids will cherish their youth, while adults will most definitley be transported back to a magical time to think about their own youth. This is a whimsical fairy tale that's a delight from the first to last frame. I can't believe why so many people have a deep disliking of this movie. Oh well. Their loss. Kudos to Spielberg for delivering a modern day fairy tale for viewers to cherish for years to come. I'm hooked!. Sorry.
61 Outstanding film a must see Hoffman performance
After a long time between viewing for me I found Hook better than ever. Spielberg did it again. Like many of his others he has created a truly magical and inspiring film which will be utterly amazing to a children and hysterical and heartfelt to adults.
Containing some of the best performances I have seen and almost faultless casting ( lost boys were a bit off, and pans son drives you up the wall ), it includes Robin Williams - as the pan "who did grow up" into a middle aged overweight lawyer, Bob Hoskins - as the utterly lovable pirate smee, Julia Roberts - as tinkerbell and Maggie Smith - as a touching older Wendy. The movie however is stolen by Dustin Hoffmans rendition of - Captain Hook. Talk about an actor made for a role, Hoffman doesn't falter once, he is fantastic. Deviant but charming throughout he times some clever one-liners perfectly and makes you feel privileged to seen such phenomenal acting.
With the help of spectacular scenery ( Hooks ship and the North symbol in the ocean are particular favorites ), fantastic costumes ( excluding Tinkerbells party dress - looked like it came out of an opshop ) and some of the funniest dialogue you will hear ( Hooks me, me, me, my, my, my, now, now, now speech for one ) you'll be screaming "Good form" in no time.
So forget what the critics said on its release ( they are always wrong anyway ) and trust the viewers for I have never met one who doesn't love this movie. You will love it.
62 The Adventure Continues!
Oh wow, I just viewed this movie for the first time since I was little! What a great movie!! I always it enjoyed it as a boy but now as an adult I can again say WOW! After the movie was over I felt like all I had to do was think of a wonderful thing and woosh I would be wisked away by pixie dust and have incredible fights with Captain Hook! This movie may not be Disney, but Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, and the rest of this wonderful cast truly bring the adventures of Peter Pan(ning) to life! Definatly a must by for the whole family!
63 A masterpiece - one of Speilberg's best!
I just don't understand why all the professional film critics have to put down HOOK. This is my favorite version of Peter Pan and Captain Hook - I find it even better than Disney's animated film, PETER PAN! It definitely is enjoyable with a cleaver script, and it's fast-paste so it doesn't drag on slowly.
This film takes place when Peter Pan (Robin Williams) is all grown up. He is now known as Peter Banning and has a wife and two kids. Peter is the kind of guy who loves his work. He tries to spend time with his family but his work keeps getting in the way. Then he and his family goes to London to visit Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith) because Peter is going to make a speech on Granny Wendy's accomplishments, which was to have a hospital for homeless orphan children built. When they get to London, Granny Wendy tells Peter that he is actually Peter Pan, even though he doesn't believe her. When Peter, his wife, and Granny Wendy are at the party, Captain Hook (Dunstin Hoffman) comes back because he learns that Peter Pan is back in London and kidnaps Peter's children, Jack and Maggie! Peter is soon met by Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) who tells him that Captain Hook has kidnapped his kids and he must go off to Neverland to save them. When Peter gets to Neverland, it's an adventure he'll never forget - especially when he comes across the Lost Boys who've got a new leader and he has to prove to them that he is really Peter Pan so they can help save his children.
HOOK is one of the best fantasy/adventure films of all time. Some parts are very hilarious, too. I never get tired of watching this film. The whole family will enjoy it! With an all-star cast including Robin Williams, Dunstin Hoffman, Maggie Smith, Julia Roberts, and many more...how could you go wrong? Gwyenth Paltrow even makes a cameo role as young Wendy. If you haven't seen this already, then it's not to be missed! The fight sceen between Peter Pan and Captain Hook at the end is awesome, too. So don't listen to those professional film critics and buy this DVD. It's a must. A real winner and a film Disney and Steven Speilberg should be proud of!
64 Don't miss this wonderful tale
I wish I could give Hook 6 stars for the general story and the performances by Hoffman and Williams. I could watch this over and over just to watch Dustin Hoffman completely portray Captain Hook, an astounding performance. And I can't imagine anyone who could take the place of Robin Williams in this film, being able to portray the up-tight jerk who's the adult Peter Pan, and capture the essential child when he regains his old self.
The storyline is wonderful, every bit deserving of a spot as a "sequel" to the classic book/movie(and also has a lot of in-jokes based on the original).
Unfortunately, the movie loses 1 star due to some uneveness in the writing and the pacing of the film. And it loses another star due to some pretty bad acting, including making us endure Julia Roberts' performance as Tinker Bell.
Still, the result is a strong offering that includes some high spots that you don't want to miss.
65 A breathtaking theme...
...very nearly killed by a not-so-breathtaking execution.
Spielberg's portrayal of the skateboard-riding Lost Boys (particularly in their final battle against the mangy Pirates), while possibly satiating my immature desires as a youngster really put me off as a young adult. The overly juvenile actions and somewhat ridiculous melodramatics taken on by the ethnically diverse group of boys made me think of turning the television off more than once.
But something kept my finger from the trigger. There were just too many good things in the film to turn it off--the movie's underlying emotions (and occasional dimamonds in the rough) were too sound to resist.
The acting, for one, was wonderful where it needed most to be so. Williams' fantastic transition from 'typical' workaholic to a convincing fun-loving Pan and an absolutely terrific Hook (Hoffman) really made the movie shine to the more mature audiences. I found myself shouting "Good Form!" to my friends in the day following it's viewing, and now the phrase has become a personal favorite. I'd watch a sequel just for more of Hook's debonaire sadism.
The dialogue, too, was memorable in spots. Williams' constant lawyer jokes, while incomprehensible as a youngster were fabulous now that I understand them. I even found myself liking the the Lost Boys (only for a moment!) during the verbal dispute between Peter and Rufio. Williams' combination of adolescent and adult insults was absolutely hilarious!
All that aside, the theme was what really stole the show for me. The wonderful continuation of the classic story was incredible, and emotions ran high during a number of sequences. Williams' recollection of his young self (while holding a battered teddy) was truly touching.
I thus conclude: When the INTERNAL elements of childhood joy and memories, the superb acting talent (especially by Hoffman!), and the overall feel of the movie are carried over into a more mature, adult-oriented feature, I will provide this review space with five stars. Until then, though, I suppose we'll all have to be satisfied with what we have.
66 Happy Thoughts...
I always used to love watching the Disney version of Peter Pan when I was younger. Then when I one day I watched bits and pieces of Hook in after school camp when I was in Kindergarten and 1st Grade when it was first released on video. I was ultimately captivated when I was that age though I wasn't really acquainted with J.M. Barrie's original tale. Luckily when I was in the fourth grade I found the original, unabridged text and loved it, though I found it quite different from the Disney version.
Last year I found the VHS version [...] and bought it right away. I watched it to death!! Just a few months ago I bought a DVD player. Just yesterday I bought the DVD and have already watched it twice. The DVD transfer is wonderful. I was worried before I watched it about the quality, considering that the movie was made in 1991. Surprisingly, the picture is a lot cleaner and crisper and the colors are superb in a nice widescreen format. The great character designs and colorful sets look wonderful on DVD!! You won't be disappointed with the quality. The sound is wonderful as well.
The story is more faithful to the original story than the Disney version. I can't praise it enough for being as magical as it is. Just trust me that if you liked the book by J.M. Barrie and the Peter Pan version, then you will love this movie.
67 A great idea
What happened when Peter Pan (Robin Williams) grew up? He forgot all about Neverland and had his kids kidnapped by Captain Hook (dustin Hoffman). That's what. So what happens? Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) goes to get Peter and takes him to the lost boys so that they can jog his memory...
This is a wonderful movie with a wonderful score and stunning visuals. The cast does a wonderful job potraying the characters, though Dustin Hoffman stole the show with his halarious potrayal of Hook. This is a great fantasy adventure for everyone
68 A Movie Classic
While I've read negative reviews of this movie, I imagine they were written by pirates. My sons' first saw this movie when they were 2 and 4, which began a love affair that has yet to end. At 8 and 10, they still love it. For children it has action, adventure, a terrifically evil Captain Hook, and a happy ending.
For adults it's visually stunning. The attention to detail not only in the sets but also in the story itself will keep you watching again and again to pick up things that you may have missed the first 40 or 50 times. My favorite part is Captain Hooks explination of "Why parents hate their children". ("I want a party, I want a cookie, I want, I want, I want!!!!!) While I don't "hate" them, there are times I can relate!
Keep an eye out for cameo's by Phil Collins, David Crosby, Glenn Close, and a pre-famous Gweneth Paltrow.
69 FOR KIDS THAT NEVER GROW UP...
I THINK THEIR IS A LITTLE PETER PAN IN EVERYONE, AND EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THIS MOVIE TO GET YOU BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD, WHERE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS THINK GOOD THOUGHTS AND YOUR FLYING. THIS MOVIE IS A GREAT FAMILY MOVIE. WITH ROBIN WILLIAMS AS PETER PAN AND DUSTIN HOFFMAN AS CAPTAIN HOOK AND JULIA ROBERTS AS TINKERBELL, IT COULD BE NOTHING MORE THAN A GREAT MOVIE, IT HAS SPECIAL EFFECTS, A GREAT STORY AND GREAT TALENT. STEVEN SPIELBERG MAKES YOU WISH THAT YOU CAN TURN BACK AND RELIVE SOME OF YOUR HAPPIEST AND MAYBE EVEN YOUR SCARIEST CHILDHOOD FANTASIES. AND WITH THIS MOVIE YOU CAN TRULY FLY!!!
70 One of the best
This movie did not get a lot of recanission but it was directed by one of the best. Had the biggest set ever and the acting was great. The way steven speilburg directed this movie was like non other.
71 The Hook is back!
What an absolutely fabulous movie! Screw the critics who saw it and said it sucked. They probably didn't watch it at all, or more likely,they sure as hell aren't in touch with their inner child.
But enough about that. This is a truly touching movie. I fancy myself to be pretty tough, but the first time I got a look at granny Wendy I cried I was so sad.
The cast is stellar.With Dustin Hoffman,Robin Williams,Bob Hoskins and Julia Roberts being the best. This movie really does bring you back to what it was like to be a child.
The characters are lively and interesting, with Hook at the top of " Good Form". His first scene was truly memorable and creepy.
This is also a really good date movie, beleive it or not. There's just something about it that's so nice and romantic.
I highly reccommend this movie on vhs or dvd. A truly touching movie.
72 Thats where I'll be waiting
Boo, says the old woman in princess bride at the Critics. Hook is in my top five favorite movies without a doubt. The ones who don't like it, don't understand the underlying thread. Peter grows up - and forgets his childhood as the flying menace. He is even afraid of heights! It doesn't matter whether you are a spielberg fan or not, if you love interesting films that hauntingly leave a mark of childishness on your heart, then this is for you. I have watched this film more than any other movie. I seriously KNOW for a fact that since I was 11 I have viewed it over a hundred times....easily! I had a copy...then I bought it on vhs...then the other day bought it on dvd and it still hasn't lost its meaning to me. I could still watch it twice in a row and not loose an ounce of attention. Maybe it's Robin Williams perfect transition from snobby business man, to the high flying , sword chopping, pirate stomping, peter pan. Or Dustin Hoffman, who endured just as many hours in make-up as he did in Tootsie, to bring to life the ultimate clock-hating villain, who despises the "L" word. Or Bob Hoskins (Who framed Rodger Rabbit), an excellent Smee, more brain than bum-fundled. Julia Roberts had me in the state-of-crush for about 3 years. Anyway, Hook is a 5 star great movie that THE People love. Forget the critics for this one. The dvd is sharp, and sounds terrific. As far as sound, check out Smee's "Good morning neverland." I would seriously enjoy ANY extra's, because the skull and crossbones on this disc represent death to extra lover's. Two-disk anyone?
73 A tear jerker!
This is one of the most touching movies I've see so far. And I never cry when I watch movies! This movie made me cry and laugh. It was heartbreaking when Peter Pan forgot who he was and it was touching when he started to rememeber everything. The first time I saw Wendy I abosutly bawled my eyes out! The movie however is funny like when he first meets Tinkerbell "Firefly from Hell!!" and when he was learning to fly again "Oh I know I happy thought! Not being in this thing is a happy thought" All though this movie has a little bit of swearing and violence it's still a family movie. And I would watch it again.
74 To see it will be an awfully big adventure.
The subtitle to the play "Peter Pan" is "The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up". Spielberg's sequel could well be called "The Man Who Grew Up Too Much". The story of Peter Pan is reversed, as are many roles. Robin Williams has the easy task of playing the thoughtless parent, the moderate task of playing the grownup Peter Pan, and the incredibly difficult task of making the transition between the two believable.
Dustin's Hoffman's Capt. Hook knows, as do all of us who remember his soliloquy, that no little children love him. His concern with how he will be remembered, and with Good Form, ring quite true to the original. The character is suave, urbane, vicious, captivating, and ultimately tragic.
At first I was annoyed at the modern elements in Never-Never-Land, but I soon realized that they had to be there, as Never-Never-Land was always a compilation of everything Lost Boys found exciting. In the twenties, that included Red Indians, but if they were lost in the 1980s, well then, baseball and skateboards should be included. The original play was Edwardian, but the movie makes no sense unless it's updated.
The role-reversal and eventual re-reversal is fascinating. In the play, the same actor always plays both Hook and the thoughtless and cruel father, Mr. Darling. But here, Peter is the uncaring father and a corporate pirate, while Hook takes the children to Never-Never-Land. The lost boys are, at first, quarrelsome and threatening, while the pirates are a happy adventuresome lot, even sentimental in the lullaby sequence. But while the Lost Boys help Peter recover himself (and to recover their own innocence), Hook's attempt to win over Peter's kids is, in the end, a failure, and we are brought full circle. The final scene of the helpless Hook surrounded by Peter and his boys parallels the earlier scene of the helpless Peter Banning surrounded by Hook and his pirates. ("Somebody lend me a hand." "I already have.")
The movie has one major flaw - most people don't know the Peter Pan legend well enough to really understand it. Seeing the play "Peter Pan" won't help much, either, because there's a lot in the storybook "Peter and Wendy", and in the play's stage directions, that enhances the understanding of the movie Hook. In a scene usually cut from the play, Peter sacrifices himself for Wendy, and thinks he is about to drown. His line is "To die will be an awfully big adventure." Later, when Wendy and the Lost Boys are leaving Never-Land, Peter is left alone, slumped in his chair. The stage directions state that at this point, if Peter only understood a little more, he would say, "To live would be an awfully big adventure." Hook is the story of how Peter finally learns that to live is, indeed, an awfully big adventure. Along the way, he must also discover what a Happy Thought for a grown-up is, and that a man with no childhood is as incomplete as a boy who would not grow up.
The pretend-food that was always Peter's favorite kind of meal is used to excellent effect. I found the first moment when Peter's adult faŤade started to break down surprisingly believable. He is in an insult contest, and losing badly, until he finds the intersection between his grownup life and the childish contest. He wins with the biggest, most impressive insult, ending with "... don't mess with me, man, I'm a lawyer."
Maggie Smith's Wendy fills in the roles of both Wendy and Mrs. Darling from the play. Her concern with the night-lights is especially fulfilling. We are also re-introduced to Tootles, who was the Lost Boy who always missed the adventure, and so he does again. Several times in the movie, the first time I saw it, I mouthed the dialogue along with the actors, because I knew that after Hook said, "Prepare to die", Peter had to reply, "Dark and sinister man, have at thee." There's a brief appearance of Michael's bear and John's top hat, which they took with them to Never-Never-Land so many years ago. Lisa and Nana return (Nana IX, really), and many other details make it a wonderful reunion. Bob Hoskins's Smee and Julia Roberts's Tinkerbell are true to the original, and yes, she says The Line She Had to Say.
Yes, Peter Pan grew up. But he didn't do it when he became a lawyer; he did it in Hook.
75 Nothing much compared to Peter Pan, but still...
This movie was good, but it was a failure compared to Peter Pan. It was impossible for me to think of Peter Pan the way he was portrayed, and it didn't make sense that he would forget all about his past just because he kissed a girl. Each of the Lost Boys was an individual disaster, as was Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. Peter Pan's story of running away at three or four made no sense, since he wouldn't be old enough to understand his mother or pull off such an escape. Still, the movie is good for younger children and answers the question: "What happened next?" It will grab the attention of all young movie-watchers and enthrall them throughout the movie, as it did to me a year or two ago.
76 Entertaining, Magical and Touching...
Spielberg has managed to create a wonderful film here, despite what the critics say. It's true you need to be a kid at heart to love it... but once you're into it you'll be amazed at what you find.
A brilliant set makes for a real dreamworld in Never-Neverland, the star-studded cast makes for a very lively and utterly delightful performance while the film still also contains some meaningful moments. A terrific balance.
CRITICS!
Often reviews seem to find great fault with this film while acknowledging there's something there - but what do they say is wrong?
The Never-kids apparently don't fit! Well see it for yourself, I'd like to know what they should look like?
Changing the story to some is unforgivable! There are alot of films where they change things or write a later on version (as Hook is to Peter Pan) and they are awful - total cringe films. The twist in Hook I very much appreciate however and I think it credits the original.
The acting is too plainand unlively! No way. I think here we come back to the type of film - it's a kid's movie! So change, and become like a child, then watch it... I'm sure you'll love it!
77 You call this a movie?!!!
Ok since when does Peter Pan grow up forget who he is and then have a wife, 2 kids, and a job?!! What was Robin Williams thinking when he signed up for this part? Did he acually think he would pull off being Peter Pan!! I was very dissapointed when saw this movie! First of all Robin Williams. He didn't bring out the childlike influence with Peter Pan. He looked lost through out the intire movie!! And when he said his lines he sounded like he was going to fall asleep!! Then there are the Lost Boys. Why wasen't there teens playing them instead of 8 year old kids that couldn't act if there life depended on it!! They amount of swearing that these kids really atonished me!! And for some stupid reason they were on skateboards and trashed talked through out the intire movie!! Dustin Hoffman. He is the worst Hook I have ever seen anybody play in my whole 16 years of my life!! First of all his acting was stale and sour! And at times he even overacted making me want to smack him because he was soo bad!! And just Robin Williams he looked like he was lost!!! And Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell!!! I can't describe how bad she was at playing this part!!! And one more thing was the amount of violence and swearing in this movie!! So if you have a little kid please don't make them watch this!!
78 Saw it as a kid
I remember watching this movie when I was six or seven years old and loving every second of it. I even went as Peter Pan for Halloween because of it. First, it's directed by Steven Spielberg, the best director of all time. It features many star actors such as Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman, and it's overall a great film.
Basically the plot is this: Peter Pan grows up to become a lawyer, and when Captain Hook kidnaps his children, he is forced to go back to Never Never Land to rescue them. The problem is, he doesn't remember anything. This makes for some good comedy, along with some much-needed friction between characters. The battling is interesting, but not gory for small children, and at the age of 15, I still don't mind watching this movie. It's not a child's flick only...adults can enjoy it as well. No annoying Pokemon here.
Some reviewers said that this was too violent for children. I don't believe that. I think it's a good film about a classic character that children should see--however, there is some mild language, but nothing terrible.
79 Pan's sequel?
In essence, Hook is a visually interesting film. The Neverland backgrounds most of the time capture what you expect place to look like and are presented in a good colourful wash. But what continues to make this a poor movie are the performances (Robin Williams' kids stand out as the most irritating, with only Dustin Hoffman and occasionally Williams bringing any real life to the picture), and the grating insistence by Spielberg and his cohorts to make the most cloying, politically-correct film possible (for a man who founded his career on a movie about a rubber shark that goes around tearing all and sundry to pieces, this is a laughable course for him to be pursuing). But what stands out as one of the worst features of Spielberg's adaptation is his mis-reading of what Pan represents. Peter Pan is the spirit of youth within all of us, this dosen't mean that he needs to set a further example by growing up to face marriage and responsibility. If Williams' grown-up Pan had elected to remain in Neverland at the end of the film, this would have a far more accurate reading of adult human nature than that which Spielberg presents in this simplistic guide of what you have to do to deserve your slice of good ol' American pie. The values that Hook tries to encourage are ones that few kids or adults of Williams' age will sympathise with.
80 Hook is a great movie
Hook is an imaganantive movie for the whole family. The costumes and scenery in this movie are incredable! Robin Williams plays Peter Banning, an adlut Peter Pan that can't remember anything about Neverland until his kids, Jack and Maggie are stolen. Dustin Hoffman plays the evil Captin Hook. Julia Roberts play the fariy, Tinkerbelle. Steven Spielberg did himself a job well done!
81 HOOK Leaves you Cold.
One of the few disapointing films by Spielberg which stars Robin Williams as an adult Pan, who looks lost throughout the whole movie, Dustin Hoffman over-acts as Hook, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell (please). Never-Never Land looks like the backyard at a garage sale and the boys on roller skates are absolutely annoying. And the screenplay looks like it was written based on badly written DC comic books. It's rather interesting that Spielberg has not done a movie for Colombia Pictures since. Maybe this experience was one not worth repeating.
82 'Hook' Leaves You Astonished!
Hook has to be one of the most mysterious & captivating versions Pan ever constructed. Spielberg leaves you wanting to know more, about Pan's past & the unknown paradise that is Neverland. Dustin Hoffman gives a brillant performance as Captain James Hook, striking the audience with both pity & hate for the evil sea captain, Hook seems to be more evil than in the Disney animated classic, bringing the story a believable villian. Julia Roberts also gives a captivating performance as Tinker Bell, bringing the fictionous fairy to life, & Bob Hoskins as Smee brought a little comedic relieve to the dark fortress of the Jolly Rodger. Robin Williams was excellnt as Peter Banning but so-so as he soon began to relize that he was Pater Pan. The Lost Boys add a nice touch to the film too, especially Rufeo who brings a little mystery to boys. The score takes the slap-stick & mystery to the movie & rolls them completly into one magnificent soundtrack.
The film is excellent in nearly every aspect, even the child stars, from the Lost Boys to Maggie & Jack (Pan's children) bring the story to life with their stunning portrayal of their characters. A must for your collection perfect for the family or yourself it's sure to haunt you & leave you completely inquisitiive & stunned by the ending.
83 Still great
I can still remember the day before New Year's Eve when I was in fourth grade. One of my friends wanted to take me to see a movie and I desperately wanted to see Hook. Those two and a half hours were magic for me way back then, and they still are. The acting is brilliant, the direction wonderful, and the music surprisingly powerful for a fairy tale. When I first saw Peter gain his happy thought and fly out of that tree, I wanted to jump up and scream, "I knew you could do it!" And you know what? I'm 18 now, and I still feel like doing that.
84 A Truly Magical Trip to Neverland
This is one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. No matter how many times I see it, it feels magical with each viewing. I simply cannot understand how some people find it boring. It is lengthy, but for once length is good thing. There's that much more to enjoy! The people who hated this movie must be pirates because I cannot come up with any other explanation of why someone would.
85 excelente pelicula para todo publico
Muy Buena Pel’cula
Esta pel’cula es muy buena aunque veo que tiene muchos detractores y personas que parecen que no tuvieron ni–ez y que pretenden que la gente siempre este en papeles serios, es decir que se tomen su rol tan en serio que no tengan tiempo para ser rid’culos, Robin Williams no es para nada rid’culo, puede volar, puede pelear y puede cacarear, kikiriki......
Todos esos amargados que no les gusta ser ni–os, esta pel’cula es excelente, que importa que Julia Roberts, se vea tan peque–ita, y alaban la actuaci—n del capital hook, si actśa bien , pero es el malo, jajajajjaja.
Si es verdad, la historia se aleja del libro original, pero algśn d’a Peter tenia que crecer y volverse grande, y dejar de volar, aunque sea maravilloso y los ni–os que la vean, incluyŽndome se sentir‡n un poco culpables porque tendr‡n que crecer y ser adultos y amargarse la vida con las estśpidas cosas de los adultos.
Esta es una muy buena pel’cula, no es que sea una obra maestra , pero se deja disfrutar....
LUIS MENDEZ
86 Speilberg's worst?
It has been theorized that Steven Speilberg went into an artistic funk after the mixed critical reception and commericial failure of his beloved pet project "Empire of the Sun." In the years immediately following the failure of "Empire of the Sun," Speilberg released his most mediocre films: "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Always," and "Hook." Of those three movies, "Hook" has to be Speilberg's artistic nadir.
Underneath the layers and layers of schmaltz and cheese there is a good idea behind "Hook"- Peter Pan has grown up and forgotten who he is. Unfortunately, "Hook" falls into the trap of that age old cliche: good idea, horrible execution. "Hook" assaults the viewer with some of the most heavy handed, manipulative scenes and dialogue ever put to film. In every scene Speilberg's less than skillful direction and John Williams' overblown score seem to scream out, "THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE MOVING!;" but they only succeed in making everything seem contrived and phony. This movie is so sacchrine that it will make your teeth ache. Robin Williams once again hams it up, and Speilberg does little to restrain him much to detriment of the movie. The Lost Boys, with their oh-so-early 90's hipness, get lamer and lamer as the years go by and they were pretty lame back when "Hook" was first released. The sets are overstylized and silly- Hook's pirate ship doesn't look that it could even float let alone sail. Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell? The less said about her the better.
I did enjoy the performances of Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins. Also it is fun to see a very young Gwenyth Paltrow in a bit part as a young Wendy. However, those are the only positives that I can see in this wretched piece of candy corn.
I know people do not think negative reviews are helpful; but I can't help stating that "Hook" is Speilberg's worst movie. (Yes, even worse than "1941!") It's hard to believe that the same man who made me jump out of my seat with "Jaws," thrilled me with "Raiders of the Lost Ark," shocked and moved me with "Schindler's List," and left me breathless with "Saving Private Ryan" is responsible for "Hook." "Hook" is a movie that insulted my intelligence and made me cringe throughout its interminable length.
87 Robin Williams gives good reasons for wanting to grow up!
This is an enjoyable trip to Never Never Land, as we get to know a "grown up" Peter Pan. Robin Williams seems to be an unlikely match for the furocious Captain Hook (played by Dustin Hoffman), but with some coaching from the wild boys, "Peter" is ready for the duel. -- This is a pleasant fantasy film, even for those less familiar with the Disney Classic (or the many theater productions). Look for Maggie Smith in a small role as an elderly Wendy, telling the story of Peter Pan to children. There's a kid in all of us, although most of us are happy to be grown ups now.
88 This isn't 'Peter Pan'
'Hook' doesn't measure up to JM Barrie? So what? This isn't 'Peter Pan'.
Prompted by a journey home to England to see his adoptive mother Wendy, Peter Panning [a lawyer specializing in hostile takeovers] faces his increasing estrangement from his family, and the man he has become. In a drunken haze, he travels to his own Neverland, where he faces his own fears: that he's lost touch with his children; that he's so afraid of dying he's forgotten how to live; and most of all, that he's become a dark and sinister Pirate, and that his son will grow up to be as miserable and old and unpleasant as he imagines himself to be. Some of the significance may be lost on children, but it can be enjoyed on a more literal level as well [and what child doesn't feel that their parents aren't paying enough attention to them?]. Though a little cheesy and Hollywood at times [you were expecting something else from a Robin Williams movie?], 'Hook' is still a wonderful psychological portrayal of one man's midlife crisis.
89 Wonderous Fantasy not for adults.
Remaking a fairy tale into a live action film is very dangerous. Steven Spielberg has done a pretty good job doing it. In this movie, he captures the spirit of Peter Pan quite nicely, with breathtaking visual effects and wonderful scenery. Robin Williams did an OK job in this movie, but not one of his better performances. As for Julia Roberts, I would have to say that her as Tinkerbell was the low point of her acting career.
Whoever says this movie is "for the entire family" is wrong. This is not one of Spielberg's greatest works which is probably why it is not popular. This is no E.T. Most adults won't enjoy this mind fluff. Still, it's a fun and harmless movie, you just need a really BIG imagination to enjoy it. Slightly reccomended.
90 A delightful, magical movie! Wonderful sequel to "Peter Pan"
Despite what other reviewers may say about "HOOK", the movie speaks for itself. This movie works best for people who still believe in that magical place "between asleep and awake", where imagination knows know bounds, and that youthful paradise of Neverland is always "second star to the right and straight on till morning."
Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, and Bob Hoskins deliver great outstanding performances sharp to those in the original story. The continuing story of "Pan" is wonderful! The grown up Peter Banning must return to Neverland to save his children. Not only must he come to realize his past as the Peter Pan which leads to his clamactic fight with Captain Hook, but recognize his priorities when it comes to his family and children.
A great family movie! Killer orchestrations and scoring by the incomparable John Williams!
I've loved this movie since it first came out and I've loved it ever since! This movie will leave you filled with a sense of child-like wonder and magic. Do we ever really grow up? At most, "HOOK" and Spielberg leave us wondering if the child in us all still exists into the hapless years of adulthood. Never ever grow up with "HOOK".
91 Another example of Spielberg's arrogance...
We got a great history, almost a legend. Then they take RObin Williams (ridiculous as ever!) to be Peter Pan! They must have thinked :"what a great different idea, how we are brilliant!" But they just destroyed the history, making two hours of torment watching this lousy picture, whre even Julia Roberts doesn't save herself.!
92 Give Hook the Hook
Hook turns a wonderful children's story into two hours of self-indulgent adult angst.
On the good side, Dustin Hoffman was brilliant as Captain Hook.
However, a major disappointment was Robin Williams. An overweight, flabby, middle-aged neurotic is not my idea of the Peter Pan character. A close second was Julia Roberts, who was utterly boring as TinkerBell. Did she consciously decide to tank this potentially wonderful character or was this just horrible direction?
But the worst part of the movie, by far, was the Lost Boys. Don't expect to see the carefree, rowdy, adventurous boys of the novel or other renditions. Instead, Hook's Lost Boys are unsympathetic bullies who look, sound, and behave like thug gangbangers. They completely ruin the movie and demolish ANY sense of childlike innocence which is the true heart of the original story.
This movie proves that assembling a lot of big name, expensive talent, placed among lavish sets, doesn't guarantee of movie worth watching. A major disappointment.
93 A Magical Journey
Steven Spielberg's "Hook", and like so many of his other films, contains so much magic, and unforgettable scenes,characters, and moments, it is overwhelming. This film is one of the most visionary and magical ones i think i have ever seen. Steven Spielberg is truly a genius. If you are a fan of his movies, or you just want to be whisped away to a world away from the one you live in, then you must buy this film. It is a must.
94 it was awesome
robin did a awesome job as peterpan. the guy that play hook did a good job to. i give a two thombs up. i thank that steven spielberg one of the best director ever. i like all his moves. robin williams make me laugh any move he plays in.
95 A Magical Journey
Steven Spielberg's "Hook", and like so many of his other films, contains so much magic, and unforgettable scenes,characters, and moments, it is overwhelming. This film is one of the most visionary and magical ones i think i have ever seen. Steven Spielberg is truly a genius. If you are a fan of his movies, or you just want to be whisped away to a world away from the one you live in, then you must buy this film. It is a must.
96 A great, funfilled adventure!
This is a great movie to watch, adventure, comedy, and a bit of heartwarming all in one, makes you realize that you dont want to waste too much time trying to grow up.
97 Amazing!
Many movies amuse me, but few affect me much beyond that. Not only did this movie make me laugh, but last time I saw it, it left me with a warm fuzzy feeling that lasted twenty-four hours straight! On the way up to bed afterwards, I swear, I closed my eyes and tried to fly.
98 It's Everything it Should Be
"Hook" is a highly entertaining movie that is appropriate for children and adults. The music is energetic and keeps the movie rolling on. Robin Williams is humerous, but Dustin Hoffman steals the show as the childish fiend, Captain Hook {that's why it's called "Hook"). Bob Hoskins also shines in his role as Hook's sidekick, Mr. Smee. In the end, the film is intended for families, so it does contain the usual sappy drama, but therein also lies the charm of the film. The film is meant to entertain people of all ages, and, if you don't take yourself too seriously, you will be entertained.
99 What's wrong with Hook?
The answer- not too much, really. Sure, it's not as great as Peter Pan, but the movie still retains a bit of magic in it, even if it gets oversappy. Robin Williams makes a pretty cool Peter Pan, and Julia Roberts is, well, adorable as Tinkerbell. But it's Dustin Hoffman who steals the show as the overgrown Hook, who's eager to fight Peter Pan once again after so many years of hunting lost boys. Is it Spielberg's best? No, but it's not one of Spielberg's worst either. Consider it a great middle of the road movie for all ages.
100 I DON'T WANNA GROW UP!
We all remember the classic fairy tale of Peter Pan. But with a new twist, Stephen Spielberg yet again proves that he is the master of them all. Robin Willams, who plays Peter, is all grown up in this movie. He has a wife and two children. When Peter's grandmother starts to show him the past of life, Peter soon starts to relaize who he really was. He doesn't believe any of this nonsence, but soon goes into another world of fantasy. This movie, I thought was great. Every child has a fear of growing up, that they don't want to belong in the grown-up world. With Peter Pan by their sides, he can take them to Never Never Land where there, they won't have to worry about nothing at all. Such a brillant movie!
