Movie Review: "Hook"

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I normally would not write a review on a movie I've watched in the past. However I just rewatched this movie for the first time in over 15 years, so I feel it's like seeing it again for the first time.

The premise of the movie is what would happen if Peter Pan grew up? Everyone is familiar with the story whether it be the Disney version, the Mary Martin play, the new version that came out 3 years ago, or Finding Neverland. Peter Pan is a story that everyone wants to be a part of, never having to grow old and facing life's problems. Thus this movie makes such an interesting idea when you think about how this icon himself chose to grow up and then forgot about his past. What's even more interesting is that maybe Hook himself just wants to give up and die but he can't.

The acting in the movie is top notch. When I was younger I never realized that Dustin Hoffman was Hook. Robin Williams is perfect as Peter. Bob Hoskins is hilarious as Smee. Julia Roberts is perfect as Tink. Maggie Smith is a elegant Wendy (although I kept saying McGonagall!) and did you notice that Gwyneth Paltrow has a cameo as a young Wendy? Speaking of cameos look for Glenn Close and David Crosby as pirates and Carrie Fisher and George Lucas are the floating kissing couple. Something else really funny, I remember having a big crush on the guy who played the young Peter Pan back then, now he's nothing great, lol.

I'm not so sure why some people have a love/hate relationship with this film. I absolutely adore it, it's one of my favorite Spielberg films. It just grows on you while you watch it as you think about the premise of the story. And there's so many things going on in the film that it's just like visual eye candy. I would love to live in the Lost Boys neighborhood in that tree house. And I always wanted to eat that dinner they had, with the colorful doughy stuff.

Something else I found quite hysterical:
Peter Pan: I remember you being a lot bigger.
Captain Hook: To a ten-year-old I'm Huge.
(The funny part of this being that Dustin Hoffman is quite short at 5'6.)

And ok I will admit it, I cried several times while watching this movie. I swear Steven Spielberg movies with John Williams scores get me every time. I cried when the Lost Boys are touching Peter's face and see his smile and realize that it is Peter Pan. I cried when Rufio died and tells Peter he wishes he had a dad like him. I cried when the kids are reunited with their mom at the end. I cry just thinking about how Peter Pan grew up and forgot about everything. (Then I think about how weird it is that Peter should actually be like over 100 and how sad that his parents never knew about what happened to him so I start crying again) I know it's not really that sad a movie but I was moved. If you haven't watched this movie I suggest that you do. It's a great family movie and is really one of those overlooked films.

Bang-a-rang!