Hook

Walt Disney's "Peter Pan" from 1953 was one of the first movies I ever saw as a child. I was more familiar with that version as a result than with the original play/book by J. M. Barrie. "Hook" was the film that introduced me to elements of the original story while at the same time making a few references to the Disney version. This film however is not an adaptation of the book or play; it is more like a sequel. While the film isn't perfect, it has quite an entertain story. It also has a lot of humor and it looks appealing as well. I also believe that Steven Spielberg's direction was a factor in its success because at first, I didn't know that he made the movie and I still liked it. I didn't see "Hook" until a few years after its release but I did get to see it in a movie theater as an adult as part of a charity summer event.

The general public, not just me, knows the Disney version the most so the filmmakers had to build off that. The first scene depicting Maggie's school play was a great way for the audience to take what they knew and then experience original aspects of the story. The movie's first few minutes really feel like a genuine scenario from real life. We have a workaholic father that the audience can relate to. He has forgotten to appreciate his family. The baseball sequence in terms of music helps create this real life setting. I like how it is intercut with Peter on his way out of the office. This familiar world will soon be replaced by the unfamiliar fantasy world of Neverland. The scene when Peter yells at his kids is quite dramatic and scary. Above any other scene, it depicts the problems his family has because of him. Once Jack and Maggie are kidnapped, Wendy must tell Peter the truth about his past. Of course, it is too ridiculous to be true in his mind. One thing you might miss in that scene however is that Peter's physical stance matches the Peter Pan illustration in the book and upon realizing this, Peter puts his arms down. Robin Williams' comic talent comes in handy when Tinker Bell arrives and it continues when he arrives in Pirate Town. I love the lines "That is so real" and "I have a bad back." A really funny moment is the loud conversation he has with another pirate as they pass after Peter is in disguise. Hook's first scene is very entertaining. Smee masterfully sets up his introduction and Hook's first shot is well created by Spielberg. The exclamation point of this moment is the line "Go get 'em Captain" and Hook's subsequent smile. We get a funny but suspenseful moment as Hook identifies as "stranger amongst the loyal" The first scene between grown up Peter and Hook is full of irony and humor. I love the exchange of lines that both characters have when Hook can't believe that it is Peter. The physical comedy when Peter's cheque book is shot is really funny but this is trumped seconds later. Usually when we imagine a scene between Peter Pan and Captain Hook, their swords are at least drawn. In contrast we have Peter trying to whisper something embarrassing in Hook's ear. Dustin Hoffman provides the humor here by his delivery of the lines "I beg your pardon" and "You must be joking." I also love it the pirates' reaction to Hook saying, "I already have."

Robin Williams once again provides some great humor as he is reintroduced to the Lost Boys. Peter gets hung up and then cut down in comic fashion. I love the shot of the Lost Boys chanting Rufio's name and their heads turning as they watch him. It is funny because Peter is also turning his head and saying "Ohhhh" but for different reasons. I enjoy the "Lord of the Flies" reference, especially when the Lost Boys yell: "Kill the lawyer" instead of "Kill the pig." I bet "Kill the lawyer" is a phrase most people would love to say. Peter's reaction is equally funny: "I'm not that kind of lawyer." He appears to be used to this persona of lawyers. As cliché as it is, I get a kick out of the line "I've been shot", mostly because its Robin. In the chase sequence with the Lost Boys, he really does a great job of playing an out of shape guy to contrast what he used to be (Pan). When things settle down, the little boy recognizes Peter. In my opinion, thanks to one particular shot, even Rufio sees it. He doesn't want to relinquish his role as leader though. Peter may not believe that he is Pan but he knows that the Lost Boys are his best chance to prepare to face Hook in a dual. Meanwhile, Hook regrets the deal he made with the Pixie. I love how Hoffman says the line "Don't you dare try to stop me this time. Smee, try to stop me." We might wonder how on earth Hook is going to corrupt Peter's kids but Neverland's effect on the memory is the answer. Both Jack and Peter are affected by it. The dinner scene is enjoyable with gags such as saying grace. I like how Peter starts to actually pray. His name-calling is also funny because only he knows the meaning of the names he is calling Rufio. My favorite is Nearsighted Gynecologist. I love the subtext when Peter throws the pudding at Rufio. Even though he is pretending, he does it with tongue in check. That is why neither he nor the audience expects real pudding to hit Rufio. This is great work from both Robin and Spielberg. For the first time in a long time, Peter lightens up and has fun. Had it not been for that, I don't think he could have cut the coconut with the sword. He doesn't understand how he did it but for the first time, he acknowledges that he may actually be Peter Pan and the possibility scares him. "Hook" has a lot of entertaining scenes and we must not forget the pirates' baseball game. The pirate umpire's voice is so cliché. The gag of stealing second is really funny in that he is fittingly shot by catcher. Humorous as the scene is, Peter finally gets to see his son play. Spielberg does a great thing story-wise with the camera in that Jack's POV of Hook watching the game matches the shot from the earlier baseball game where his father wasn't to be seen. Peter has to win his family back, not just in the physical sense. Hook has used the broken relationship Jack has with Peter to his benefit. Peter must save his kids and in his mind, being Peter Pan is the only way. He may not yet remember but he genuinely tries to fly. A konk on the head seems to be the solution for anyone who has amnesia. The flashback of Peter's past is intriguing. Peter falls in love with Moira because he missed out with Wendy and doesn't want it to happen again. He also wants to make his happy thought come true. Peter had trouble remembering his happy thought because he takes his family for granted and it isn't until he remembers the joy of being a father that he is able to fly. His happy thought is that he wants "to be a father" and because his children are separated physically & emotionally from him at the present time, the thought is powerful and he can once again fly. It isn't as easy as it appears however with the "I lost it" joke. Here is where we get some great music from Oscar winner John Williams as Peter Pan returns. Rufio then reveals that he knew that Peter was the Pan all along. It seems inevitable that Rufio will challenge Peter to battle but suddenly, he kneels in respect. We later learn that Rufio's happy thought is to have a father. To have a grown-up Peter Pan in front of him is a realization of this dream. As intimidating as Rufio was, he is a boy and therefore has innocence.

Peter worked so hard to remember that he was Peter Pan that he forgot about his family. Tink's confession brings love back to his memory and who he loves. The climatic battle lives up to our expectation. There is humor and action. I love the moment when Maggie suddenly realizes the oddity of her father sword fighting with a pirate. It then clicks in her head that her father is also her hero, Peter Pan. Though Jack has forgotten about home, Hook overestimates the power of Neverland's ability to make you forget. It doesn't take Jack long to remember who is father is but he does take his time deciding to go home and this has an awful consequence. Rufio dies and provides a dramatic revelation as he does so. When Jack finally asks to be saved by his father, it represents him forgiving his father. A young Peter Pan fought Hook for fun but a grown up Peter Pan will only fight for a cause. Now that Peter has saved his children, he starts to leave in victory but then Hook says the one thing that Peter can't ignore. Unless Hook is defeated, the fight will never be over. This classic showdown is well handled and the music once again plays an important part. Hook in this moment makes a good point. From the very start of the film, we thought we knew who Peter was but what if it could all be just a dream? Upon the return to London, Spielberg teases us with this possibility when we see Bob Hoskins as the sweeper. Thankfully, Tink's appearance settles our fears. As a final story note, I love how Peter is flabbergasted that Brad doesn't know why he has to climb the drainpipe. Seriously speaking though, it isn't that Peter has run out of fairy dust as to why he can't fly. He has his family back and their love is strong. He has no reason to fly. The final scene is quite warm and fuzzy.

I have already mentioned a few of the important contributions that people made to this movie. "Hook" was my introduction to Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman. Because of the buzz surrounding his role as Captain Hook, I could tell that he was a masterful actor. After seeing the film, I was amazing at his talent. His costume really sold his performance. Robin Williams was really funny as I expected when I first saw the show but he also was quite dramatic such as in the aforementioned scene when Peter yells at his kids. My first movie as his was "Aladdin" and as a result, it took years for me to see him as the serious performer that he can be. This was my second film of Bob Hoskins' after "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". "Hook" showed me his versatility. This movie was also my introduction to the lovely Maggie Smith. There are a number of cameos in the movie such Glenn Close surprising playing the pirate sent to the boo box. Oscar winning musician Pill Collins plays the police inspector and finally we have George Lucas and Carrie Fisher. They play the couple kissing on the bridge who fly when fairy dust hits them. Fisher also helped write lines for Tink. Spielberg's mother used to read him Peter Pan as a kid and he lovingly paid tribute to this in "E.T." He decided to make a live action Peter Pan film in the early 80's and then his son Max was born. Spielberg left the project to help raise him. Another reason why he abandoned the "Peter Pan" live action idea was because his movie "Empire of the Sun" gave him the opportunity to teach similar themes. While Spielberg was absent, the storyline of a grown up Peter Pan became the central idea of the project. Spielberg returned to direct "Hook" because Dustin Hoffman and Robin Williams were having creative problems with another director. The film's story is personal for Spielberg because of his relationship with his father, his own kids and because his career mirrored the adventure that Peter undertakes. The set designer from "Cats" was brought in as a consultant and I can see the similarities. The special effects are really good also. I won't forget about John Williams because he created a very adventurous theme.

Critics don't like "Hook" but the public does. The film was a financial success, mostly thanks to overseas markets, and was nominated for five Oscars for Visual Effects, Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup and Original Song. The look of the film may be over the top and the overall experience may be good instead of great but I don't mind. Spielberg’s talent is always enjoyable to watch and "Hook" is a funny show. I don't see it becoming unpopular anytime soon.

4 Stars