Kate Brown wrote this review.
An outstanding film, Hook follows up the original story of Peter Pan, in which a lost boy in ‘Neverneverland’ takes on a villainous pirate who would steal his innocence. Peter Pan is the boy who never grows up. But, as the tagline asks, “What if Peter Pan grew up?” In answering this question Hook takes on the issue of good vs evil, innocence and innocence lost, and revenge, as well as family values.
Dustin Hoffman plays an amusing Captain James Hook, evil incarnate for all his hilarity. Opposite him, Robin Williams is the perfect choice for the boy who grew up in spite of himself. The quiet dignity of Moira is played beautifully by Caroline Goodall, whose character is nearly lost by the magic of Maggie Smith’s portrayal of Wendy in her golden years. Smaller than life, Julia Roberts appears to be having fun as the diminutive Tinkerbell. This wonderful cast is rounded out by such talents as singer Phil Collins, who without singing a note, is entertaining in his role of Inspector Good, and rocker David Crosby who is a delight as Tickles. A very young Gwyneth Paltrow has a bit part as young Wendy Moira Angel Darling, while Dustin Hoffman’s son and daughter both take parts. Young actor Dante Basco is convincing as the King of the Lost Boys.
The production team includes Jim V. Hart, who went on to produce several other successful movies such as/ Frankenstein (1994) and the TV Miniseries “Jack and the Beanstock: The Real Story” (2001). The Academy Award winning visual effects and nominated set decoration could only be created by an extensively talented crew.
In the opening scenes, CEO Peter Banning is a man so caught up in his business that he allows his cell phone to come between him and his daughter and misses his son’s biggest baseball game, sending a photographer to take a picture. Only a boyish exchange with a colleague on the office elevator hints at the child within.
Peter, his wife Moira, and his children, Jack and Maggie, attend a dinner given in his grandmother’s honour, Peter himself being the keynote speaker. It’s been 10 years since he has seen Wendy. The old woman is appalled at the man her grandson has become. At one point she says sadly, “Peter, you’ve become a pirate.” The statement is lost in the shuffle of getting ready, and a beautiful, seemingly fragile Grandmother Wendy walks away.
Upon returning home, Peter, Moira and Wendy find the house in an uproar, the children missing, and a note pinned to their bedroom door. It is stuck to the door with a sword and signed by Captain James Hook. Again Tinkerbell takes him “second star to the right, straight on ’til morning” back to Neverland. In my opinion, the next 10 minutes of the film is Robin Williams at his finest, complete with tuxedo and wire-rimmed glasses. Peter Banning finds himself on the deck of a pirate ship in the company of the most seedy looking characters including Captain Hook. He causes quite the commotion while trying to demand the release of his children. It’s Hook’s luck that Peter can’t remember who he is.
After being nearly drowned, roped, dropped, and suffering all manner of indigities, Peter finds himself in a treehouse village being chased by a large group of young boys who have no way of realizing that he is, or was, Peter Pan. Their new leader, Rufio, has Peter chased and picked on mercilessly. Finally, at an imaginary supper, a name-calling contest breaks down Peter’s forgetfulness and he explodes with,
“If I’m a maggot burger why don’t you just EAT ME!!!”
Suddenly Peter Pan is back in all his glory! Or at least he seems to be. The previously empty table is now covered with enough food to feed a small army and the biggest food fight in movie history ensues. The following (re)training of Peter Pan by the Lost Boys is nothing short of bizarre.
Peter returns to save his children, only to find his son engrossed in a baseball game aboard ship where Hook is playing “father” to him.
Hook is a movie made, perhaps, for children, but a gift for those adults who have grown up and forgotten the marvels of the story of Peter Pan. Hook allows us a brief visit to the Neverland we might all remember if we only try.
“You know that place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming… that’s where I’ll always love you Peter Pan… that’s where I’ll be waiting.” – Tinkerbell
(Tri Star Pictures, 1991)
