moviemattb
I understand that critics really don't like this movie. Even Steven Spielberg, himself, doesn't really like this movie. However, five years ago, he did say that he really wants to see it again and see if he can appreciate a bit more. I think he should, because I don't thinks its that bad, nor one of the worst movies that Spielberg has made. The movie has developed a strong cult following, and has many fans that grew up with this movie during their childhood. I, on the other hand, am one of them. I have watched this on an old VHS copy of the movie; as an adult, I watched this in its high def glory on Blu Ray, which it really deserves to have special features than just a bare bones release. The movie deserve a documentary about the making of the movie, a vintage featurette from back in the day, trailers, TV spots, deleted scenes, outtakes, and possibly a loving tribute to the two most gifted actors that we lost such as Bob Hoskins and Robin Williams. I was devastated to hear what happen to Robin Williams, and it sucks that he and neither is Bob Hoskins will be interviewed for a future Blu Ray release. I couldn't watch this movie, due to them passing away; until 2017, I was able to get over it as I watched it for the first time, and still love this movie; as well as how much I missed them. With that said, the movie is about Peter Pan, who is no longer the boy who didn't grew up as he is now; he goes by Peter Banning a husband and father who is completely obsessed with his job over his family as he goes on a trip to dedicate a children's hospital for Wendy, who she and Peter had once a romantic relationship; moreover, Peter's children have been kidnapped by his old nemesis Captain Hook, as Tinker Bell arrives to bring Peter back to Never Land as he must rediscover who he was, defeat Hook and save his children. To start out the with the positives, I love the concept of having Peter Pan growing to be a husband and father as the movie itself does deal with the psychological aspects of our main character as Peter is so drawn to his life's work, rather believing in fairy tales as he thought were nonsense. Once Wendy tells him the truth, Peter wonders whether he believes or just out of his mind. Now he does believe, he continues to know more about himself as realizes what were his happy thoughts as all he ever wanted was to be not only a good husband, but be able to be a good father. The movie really has good message, as while there is nothing wrong with work; you just can't put push your family away. Family is always the most important, and as they say "Family comes first." This is definetly one Robin Williams' best performance, and he will always be Peter Pan as he captures the child like quality as well as being a workaholic. Dustin Hoffman is very well cast as Hook, and definetly having a blast with this role; the makeup on him is also good too. Bob Hoskins is really good as Mr. Smee, and really knows how to give a good performance. For Maggie Smith, her performance is also good too, and I thought this is what she look like just as she did in the "Harry Potter" series; it wasn't, it was actually makeup, and that is also good too. The child actors that play Peter's children were good too, as well as the Lost Boys. I didn't think they were as bad as some make them out to be. Of course, you have Rufio, a fan favorite played by Dante Basco is also a really good actor, and still is well known for that role. The sets are, of course look like a set, but still they are really there as you feel that you are in Never Land as opposed to being in place in front of a blue or green screen. The action set pieces are a whole lot of fun, as you get some enjoyment for a good old swashbuckling action adventure. The movie does have some really good laughs, as Spielberg knows how to make the humor work, as well as I thought his direction is pretty darn good. He was able to accomplish for what he had to do, in order to make this concept worked. The concept for Peter Pan growing up may be hard, but should proud on what has done. The run time is over two hours, and I was never bored by it as it kept me going with the story. John Williams' music, I thought, its one of the best scores he has ever done, as I find it both memorable and unforgettable. There were moments that made me cry, like Peter rediscovering his past, Peter saying "Thank you for believing," and Peter crying into tears for every happy thought; its not because of how beautiful the music is or how great Williams' performance is, but its how much I missed him. That is what made me cried. For any negatives, the special effects, don't get me wrong are really good and thought that ILM really did really good job with the matte paintings, the flying scenes, and Tinker Bell's size. However, there were some shots that I find them obvious, as well as being dated. Nevertheless, the effects for the most part are really good. Of course, there is a goof where Tinker Bell takes Peter to Never Land to never grow up, but all of the sudden he is. It may be a plot hole, but sometimes, I like to think that when Peter becomes a teenager, he will never grow up to be an adult as long as he can have all the fun he wants. Not the best interpretation, but its the least that I thought of. Lastly, I am not a fan of Julia Roberts' Tinker Bell, as while its not horrible, its just that she really doesn't have that much of a personality like maybe be a little feisty or be somewhat interesting. I think Spielberg could've picked a better actress for someone to play that role, but if he really wanted her to play Tinker Bell, then she could have done something to make her character interesting. I don't hate Julia Roberts, as she is a fine actress, but just awfully miscast. She did fine, but could've been better. Overall, "Hook" is an underrated Spielberg movie that can crow, as it has a great cast, exciting action set pieces, beautiful music, and has a heart to it. Give this movie a chance, and think many happy thoughts. I am giving this childhood of mine a 9 out of 10.
The_Ultimate_Hippo
From what I remember I really liked this movie when I was a kid however now after viewing it as an adult while I still really like it I have started to notice that some aspects either don't make a whole lot of sense or are just too over the top corny. Let me start by saying what I did and like the casting is pretty spot on, I love Robin Williams as Pan, Dustin Hoffman is amazing as Hook, Maggie Smith was a perfect choice for Wendy (and wow that makeup job was great), and Bob Hoskins was also great as Smee. The buildup for the first appearance of Hook was suspenseful and when we finally see Hook it is a pretty epic moment (Spielberg really loves to build up the first appearance of something in his films). Also when the movie tries to be funny it's pretty funny, the secondary pirates ("save me daddy", "he's stealing second", "woops"), when Peter first meets Tinkerbell, and the food fight were all pretty hilarious. As well when the movie tries to be dramatic it does work for the most part (Ruffio's death, Moria crying with joy when the kids make it back, the final scene, etc.). Finally John Williams score as always is amazing. The child acting is hit and miss, I thought the two actors who played Peter's kids were good as was Rufio but some of the other Lost Boys bordered on annoyance. However towards the end of the movie it goes a little overboard with it's whimsical tone, a perfect example is Hook and Peter's final sword fight, on several occasions it is interrupted for either some non-needed comic relief or some incredibly cheesy dialogue ("I believe in you Peter"). Peter has 3 chances to kill Hook and never does it and I felt that really interrupted the pacing. The sword fight could have been great but instead was meh. I also never really understood Pan's origin subplot, how is a baby afraid of growing up? Why does Peter continue to grow up when he goes to Neverland to not grow up? How does Peter just forget that he was in Neverland and battled Pirates? A lot of this could have been explained, especially when you have a 2.5 hour runtime but the movie just never went into it. And finally I did not like Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. So overall it is a good family film, it does for the most part respect the source material but there are some parts where it goes too over the top campy. I feel that if they cut maybe 20 minutes out it probably would have fixed many of the films problems. I would definitely recommend Hook however it does have some problems.
zkonedog
Over a lifetime of watching movies, one thing I've come to understand is that criticism is just part of the game. One can make the greatest movie imaginable, and their will always be a sect that just doesn't like it. When it comes to "Hook", however, I still can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that it is so lowly-regarded by most critics. Have someone rank Steven Spielberg's films, and this one will likely be on the bottom. For the life of me, I cannot fathom such a statement about a movie where every single scene is either meaningful or poignant.For a basic plot summary, "Hook" tells the story of Peter Banning (Robin Williams), a miserly father and lawyer with little time for the "distractions" of his wife Moira (Caroline Goodall) or children Jack (Charlie Korsmo) and Maggie (Amber Scott). He also just so happens to be the heir of the family that made the Peter Pan stories famous, more specifically family matriarch Wendy (Maggie Smith). One night, a family outing on the town turns tragic when the returning adults are confronted by the empty beds of the children. The only evidence? A dagger and note bearing the mark of one Captain James Hook (Dustin Hoffman). It is then that Wendy reveals the family secret to Mr. Banning...that he is the real Peter Pan, and the only way to get his children back is to return to Neverland--with the help of a familiar little pixie (Julia Roberts)--and confront Hook.There are so many areas in which this movie succeeds admirably...-Every single scene is either pregnant with emotion or hilariously funny. -The soundtrack is one of the best from John Williams (and that is saying something!) -The acting is first-rate. Williams (always a bit under-appreciated in serious roles) shines brightest as the lead, but is closely match by Hoffman's swashbuckling Hook and the child actors. -The cinematography is stunning in how they create the look of the inhabitants of Neverland (Lost Boys, Pirates, etc.).Perhaps the main reason "Hook" is an all-time classic, though, is because of the themes it espouses. I mean, what better of an idea than to examine what a grown-up Pan would look like and how he could potentially re-capture that old magic. Of course, Spielberg being the master film-maker that he is, is able to relate those themes to everyday life. There is a particular plot thread in the movie involving Hook trying to turn Banning's son Jack into a pirate that will particularly hit close to home. Growing old and growing up is something we all can (and have to) relate to, so weaving those real-life themes into the Pan story is a genius move.Finally, "Hook" is a film that can be enjoyed by the entire family equally (and I truly mean equally...young and old). Youngsters will be intrigued and excited by the film's boundless energy (especially the ever-engaging Williams), while seasoned viewers will see the human commentary and be moved by the deep themes of family and staying young at heart.So, like I said in the beginning, I consider this to truly be one of my favorite films of all-time. In the words of Toodles (and blissfully ignoring the aptly-named critics, in this case): "I haven't lost my marbles after all!!". If you haven't enjoyed this movie with your entire family, you are missing a sincere treat.
