Review of Hook (1991) by Dan H — 13 Sep 2013
If you have ever read the classic tale of Peter Pan, you should love this film which is a sequel to exactly that (a sequel to the myth, not the popular Disney film. Hook has many neat nods to the classic tale hidden inside it).
In Hook, Pan has chosen to leave Neverland and has grown into a failure of a father, a stuffy and ruthless businessman (a pirate, muses Wendy), he doesn't remember any of Neverland or who he was, and he's even terrified of flying.
When his kids are stolen by Hook, Peter is going to have to remember what he has worked so hard to suppress....he will have to become Pan once more if he wishes to ever see his kids again. The film is VERY schmaltzy (and silly and whimsical at times), but believe it or not some of the schmaltz works (I did tear up a few times, naturally not all of the schmaltz works but the fact that even some does is a testament to this film).
Bob Hoskins is good as Smee, Dustin Hoffman is a fine Hook, Maggie Smith is a perfect Wendy, and Robin Williams is fantastic as Pan (It's also interesting to see Williams play against type in the beginning as a stuffy, not-fun, and downright mean dad).
By the end of the film, you really do believe that he is Pan from the classic tale. The film isn't just about Pan remembering who he is though, it's also about learning to be a better parent and the joys of being a parent.
This is a damn good kids film, but it also holds enough for adults that just about anyone could enjoy this.
This review of Hook (1991) was written by Dan H on 13 Sep 2013.
Hook has generally received positive reviews.
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