Hook (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Steven Spielberg's 1991 family film, 'Hook', acts as a sequel to J.M. Barrie's 1911 novel, Peter & Wendy, and stars Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan. Now a hardworking, but jaded corporate lawyer with children he neglects a bit (Charlie Korsmo, Amber Scott) & a troublesome marriage to Moira (Caroline Goodall), Peter Banning (Williams) sets-off to London with his family to visit his wife's granny, Wendy (the great Maggie Smith). Peter has long forgotten the simple joys of childhood. But when wicked pirate, Capt. Hook (Dustin Hoffman), kidnaps his young children, Peter realizes that they must venture back to the magical Neverland.
With some much needed help from the winged faerie, Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts), middle-aged Peter regains his memory of 'who he is', flies off into the night sky and - with the added assistance of The Lost Boys of Neverland - must do battle with his arch-nemesis, Capt. Hook, and Hook's henchman, Smee (Bob Hoskins) if he wants to rescue his terrified children and reclaim his lost youthful spirit, in the process. All the while, leader of The Lost Boys, Rufio (Dante Basco), and the rest, must forgive Peter for abandoning them so long ago. Action, adventure, oft-silly humor & poignancy ensues.
For whatever reason, this film was unfairly maligned by a fair share of critics at the time of its release back in 1991. That disdain did not translate to audiences, Academy members {who gave it 5 nominations}, or myself. Sure, it has some cheeseball moments. Sure, some people find the diverse Lost Boys to be insufferable {I found their antics to be, more or less, winning}. And sure, it's pretty bloated & unwieldy at 142 minutes in length. But what this movie has, aside from acting powerhouses & superb craftsmanship ... is Spielberg's movie magic touch.
Robin Williams brings pathos, vulnerability & effervescence to Peter. I got a kick out of tall Julia Roberts portraying the miniscule faerie, Tinkerbell. Maggie Smith brought a tear to my eye. And a cartoonish Dustin Hoffman snarls & rants to great effect as the malevolent Capt. Hook. Cameos from Glenn Close & Phil Collins got a rise out of me, too. I DO feel that a 1st-rate, superior film is IN here somewhere; instead of a delightful, if mixed bag offering. But the positives far outweigh the negatives, for me. The Neverland & London sets are fabulous; as are Anthony Powell's elaborate costumes, the make-up designs, the visual effects wizardry, & John Williams' music. Though the film is sticky sweet, the rousing entertainment of it all won-out.
With some much needed help from the winged faerie, Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts), middle-aged Peter regains his memory of 'who he is', flies off into the night sky and - with the added assistance of The Lost Boys of Neverland - must do battle with his arch-nemesis, Capt. Hook, and Hook's henchman, Smee (Bob Hoskins) if he wants to rescue his terrified children and reclaim his lost youthful spirit, in the process. All the while, leader of The Lost Boys, Rufio (Dante Basco), and the rest, must forgive Peter for abandoning them so long ago. Action, adventure, oft-silly humor & poignancy ensues.
For whatever reason, this film was unfairly maligned by a fair share of critics at the time of its release back in 1991. That disdain did not translate to audiences, Academy members {who gave it 5 nominations}, or myself. Sure, it has some cheeseball moments. Sure, some people find the diverse Lost Boys to be insufferable {I found their antics to be, more or less, winning}. And sure, it's pretty bloated & unwieldy at 142 minutes in length. But what this movie has, aside from acting powerhouses & superb craftsmanship ... is Spielberg's movie magic touch.
Robin Williams brings pathos, vulnerability & effervescence to Peter. I got a kick out of tall Julia Roberts portraying the miniscule faerie, Tinkerbell. Maggie Smith brought a tear to my eye. And a cartoonish Dustin Hoffman snarls & rants to great effect as the malevolent Capt. Hook. Cameos from Glenn Close & Phil Collins got a rise out of me, too. I DO feel that a 1st-rate, superior film is IN here somewhere; instead of a delightful, if mixed bag offering. But the positives far outweigh the negatives, for me. The Neverland & London sets are fabulous; as are Anthony Powell's elaborate costumes, the make-up designs, the visual effects wizardry, & John Williams' music. Though the film is sticky sweet, the rousing entertainment of it all won-out.